An offer letter is one of the required documents when applying for a TN visa. Traditional offer letters are not written for visa application purposes and often lack many of the details needed for applying for a TN Visa. Usually, this means a new letter, which we refer to as a support letter, must be drafted for the TN visa application. This article discusses the difference between an offer letter and a support letter for a TN visa application.
What is an offer letter?
An offer letter is a letter a company gives to a potential employee that provides key terms of the prospective employee’s employment. See the above example. An offer letter will typically list the position offered, the wage offered, benefits, and general terms of employment. It is generally written to the potential employee.
What is a TN visa support letter?
A TN Visa support letter differs from an offer letter as it is written for a different purpose. While an offer letter is written to a potential employee to give them an offer of employment, a TN Visa support letter is written to US Immigration requesting a potential employee be issued a TN Visa for a TN Visa profession. The following are details not typically contained in an offer letter that is in a proper TN Visa support letter:
- It is addressed to US Immigration, not the employee
- Has a start and end date
- Refers to a TN Visa profession
- Contains detailed bullet point job duties
- Contains the potential employee’s qualifications
What if my offer letter is not written correctly?
If your offer letter was not written for TN visa purposes, it most likely will not contain the necessary details to obtain a TN visa. If you apply for a TN Visa without an adequately written TN Visa support letter, the following could happen:
- You could be refused entry or denied a TN Visa
- A record of your attempt will be created and contain the details from the offer letter. This could be problematic if the offer letter were not for a TN visa profession.
- You could miss your start date and lose your job opportunity
- You could ruin your chances of obtaining a TN Visa
Before applying for TN visa status, ensure you have the proper qualifications and supporting documents, including an adequately written support letter.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between an offer letter and a support letter is essential for a successful TN visa application. Ensure your position meets all the requirements for a TN visa and that you also qualify. For more detailed guidance, please consult with one of our experienced immigration lawyers to navigate the complexities of the TN visa application process.
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