TN Visa Attorney in New Orleans

Immigration-Only Counsel for Canadian & Mexican Professionals & Their Louisiana Employers

The TN visa is one of the most efficient paths to U.S. work authorization available, but a single documentation error can mean denial at the border or consulate. At Wheatley Immigration Law, LLC, immigration law is all we do. Attorney Dayna Wheatley brings more than 20 years of immigration experience to every case, and our New Orleans office represents both the professionals seeking TN status and the Louisiana employers sponsoring them.

The TN classification was created under NAFTA and preserved under the USMCA, which took effect July 1, 2020. It allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the United States for a U.S. employer in one of 63 designated professional occupations. Unlike the H-1B, the TN category has no annual cap and no lottery, making it a faster and more predictable route to nonimmigrant work authorization for eligible professionals.

If you’re a Canadian or Mexican professional exploring your options, or a Louisiana employer preparing to sponsor a TN worker, we’re available around the clock. Call (504) 784-6803 to speak with our team.

TN Visa Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for TN status turns on four core requirements. All four must be satisfied before an application can move forward.

• Canadian or Mexican citizenship: TN status is available only to citizens of Canada or Mexico. Permanent residents of either country who haven’t yet naturalized don’t qualify.
• A prearranged job offer: The applicant must have a full-time or part-time offer from a U.S. employer. Self-employment doesn’t qualify.
• An eligible occupation: The position must fall within one of the 63 professions listed in USMCA Appendix 1603.D.1. Job title alone isn’t enough; the actual duties performed must align with the designated occupation.
• Educational credentials: Most qualifying professions require at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent professional credential. Some categories permit relevant experience in place of a degree.

TN status also requires a showing of temporary intent. The classification doesn’t permit a holder to pursue U.S. permanent residence as an objective at the time of entry, which is a meaningful distinction from other employment-based categories.

The 63 USMCA Professional Occupations

The qualifying occupations span several broad fields. Louisiana employers and professionals most commonly encounter roles in the following categories:

• General professionals: Accountant, economist, lawyer, management consultant, mathematician, social worker, urban planner
• Engineers: Chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, and computer-related engineering roles
• Medical and allied health: Registered nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dentist, veterinarian, psychologist
• Scientists: Biologist, chemist, geologist, geophysicist
• Other professionals: Architect, computer systems analyst, graphic designer, landscape architect, scientific technician/technologist

A few distinctions matter in practice. Physicians qualify only for teaching or research roles; direct patient care isn’t permitted under this classification. Financial analysts, marketing analysts, and market research analysts aren’t eligible under the economist category per USCIS guidance. Computer systems analysts can qualify with a post-secondary diploma plus three years of experience, making this one of the more accessible categories for experienced IT professionals. If a profession doesn’t appear on the USMCA list, TN status isn’t available regardless of the applicant’s credentials, and an alternative category must be considered.

How TN Applications Work: Canadian vs. Mexican Citizens

The path to TN status differs depending on the applicant’s citizenship, and understanding that difference is essential to avoiding delays.

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens don’t need to visit a U.S. consulate first. They may apply for TN nonimmigrant status directly at a CBP-designated U.S. port of entry or pre-clearance station by presenting their documentation to a CBP officer on the day of travel. If the application is complete and the officer is satisfied, TN status may be granted the same day.

Mexican Citizens

Mexican citizens must first apply for a TN visa stamp at a U.S. embassy or consulate in Mexico before traveling to the United States. Once the visa is issued, they apply for admission as a TN nonimmigrant at a designated port of entry. Consulate appointment availability and processing times can vary, so planning ahead matters.

Documentation Both Paths Require

Regardless of citizenship, every TN applicant must present a letter from the prospective U.S. employer describing the professional capacity of the role, the purpose of employment, the expected length of the assignment, and the applicant’s qualifications. Supporting documents typically include proof of educational credentials and, where experience substitutes for a degree, letters from former employers.

Professionals who change employers or add a second employer must obtain new TN authorization before beginning that new work. Louisiana employers are also required by state law to verify the work authorization of all new hires, including those with TN status.

TN Status Duration, Renewals, & TD Dependents

TN status is granted for up to three years per admission, with no statutory limit on renewals provided the position remains genuinely temporary and the holder maintains intent to return home. Extensions can be obtained by filing Form I-129 with USCIS from inside the United States or by seeking new TN admission at the border or consulate.

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for TD nonimmigrant status, which allows them to accompany or follow the TN holder. TD holders may study in the United States but may not work here. Mexican-citizen dependents must obtain TD visas at a U.S. consulate; Canadian-citizen dependents don’t require a visa but must satisfy CBP requirements at the port of entry.

TN holders who later qualify for employer-sponsored permanent residence may pursue a green card, but they must not have immigrant intent at the time of TN admission. Navigating that distinction carefully is one reason experienced immigration counsel matters.

Why New Orleans Professionals & Employers Choose Wheatley Immigration Law, LLC

Immigration law is our entire practice. We don’t divide attention across unrelated areas; every resource we have is directed at U.S. immigration matters. That focus, combined with Attorney Dayna Wheatley’s more than two decades of immigration experience, means the firm handling your TN application has seen the full range of documentation issues, employer letter deficiencies, and credential evaluation questions that arise in these cases.

We represent both professionals and the Louisiana employers sponsoring them, which means we understand the compliance obligations on both sides, including Louisiana’s work authorization verification requirements. Our team serves clients in Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, and Punjabi; attorney Theresa Dorcelus extends our capacity to French and Creole speakers. Wheatley Immigration Law, LLC is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Federal Bar Association, and our representation extends to clients nationwide and internationally. Payment plans are available, and our team is reachable around the clock.

Start Your TN Visa Process Today

Whether you’re a professional ready to confirm your eligibility or an employer preparing to bring on a TN worker, the earlier you start, the more options you have. We offer in-person and phone appointments at our New Orleans and Baton Rouge offices.

Call (504) 784-6803 or submit our online contact form to schedule a consultation with Wheatley Immigration Law, LLC and take the first step toward TN work authorization.