USCIS Issues Major Update to TN Visa Policy Manual
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual, clarifying—and in some cases, narrowing—the eligibility criteria for the TN nonimmigrant classification under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These changes may affect employers’ practices. The new guidance is effective immediately and supersedes prior guidance found in USCIS’s Adjudicator’s Field Manual. Quick Hits USCIS updated its Policy Manual to require TN (temporary work visa) employment to be with a U.S. entity, reaffirm the prohibition on self-employment, and clarify that certain foreign employers may no longer qualify. The updated policy narrows eligibility for several TN professions—including engineers, economists, and scientific technicians/technologists—emphasizing degree relevance and job duty alignment. USCIS clarified TN application procedures, including port-of-entry options and documentation standards for foreign degrees and state licensure. Clarification of Sp...