TN visa is a US visa classification that allows the citizens of Mexico and Canada to work and live in the United States for three years. It’s an excellent opportunity for citizens of the aforementioned countries to start and develop their careers in the US.
The best thing about TN Visa is that it’s quite affordable, as there are no filing fees. Canadian citizens pay $56 at the land border, while Mexican citizens pay $50 plus any other supplemental fees.
However, as you’ve probably guessed by now, not everyone gets approved. The best way to get your Visa on your first try is to hire a legal professional to assist you with the entire process.
Here’s how much it will cost you to do so.
1. Support letter preparation costs
One of the most important documents you’ll need to supply with your application is the employer’s support letter. It’s going to affect your rates of success substantially, so having a professional check it out before you’ve filed your application is of the utmost importance. Most legal offices charge a flat fee for these kinds of legal services – they’re usually quite affordable.
2. Legal fees will be higher if you were previously denied a TN visa
We suggest you hire legal services to help you with your TN visa application right from the start. Once you get denied, things get much more complicated and much more expensive pretty quickly. It’s certainly something you’d want to avoid, especially if you’re in a rush to get to the US.
If you’ve already found yourself in this particular situation, it’s time to talk to an immigration specialist. They can discuss your case with the USCBP if any issues arise on your second try. They can also help you review your past application to help you learn where you went wrong the first time.
Either way, it’s best you avoid this type of outcome altogether, as it can prove to be quite costly.
3. Legal fees will depend on your attorney
As we’ve mentioned before, all TN visa applicants should have some degree of legal help at their disposal. Different attorneys charge different fees – the only thing that’s constant is the government filling expenses. Make sure you’ve found someone who’s guaranteed to bring you the results you want, but whose services also suit your budget. You can compare different rates by looking up legal offices online, which won’t take too much of your time.
4. Interview preparation is costly but crucial
No matter if you’re filling your application in the US embassy or consulate, you’ll be required to talk to an immigration officer sooner or later. Saying all the right things on your interview is key to getting your TN Visa, so do not underestimate the importance of it.
Your lawyer can prepare you for this better than anyone else, as they know the types of questions that are likely to arise during the interview. Now, again, this will completely depend on your attorney, as well as your country of origin and the complexity of your particular case. These fees can vary from anywhere between $50 – $1000 (and more) dollars depending on the exact services you’re requiring.
5. You can get a free preliminary consultation in some places
The biggest mistake people who get their TN visa applications denied make is not consulting with a TN Visa Expert before applying. In this way, you’d know whether you’re eligible or not long before you’ve spent all of your money on legal fees.
Luckily, most legal offices offer a free consultation to ensure you’re eligible before they start working with you. This is an excellent way to save some money without wasting your time on the entire process.
Whatever you do, make sure you’ve talked to a TN visa expert before starting the process. It will make things much easier and it might end up saving you money in the long run.
6. The rules are different for Canada and Mexico
While the basic principles remain the same, there are some nuances between the TN visa applications in Canada and Mexico. For this very reason, we advise against believing everything you read online. Even though something applies to a person you’ve met on the various TN Visa forums you’ve been browsing, it doesn’t necessarily mean it applies to you as well.
Your best shot is talking to a TN visa expert to learn all the facts. You can click here to read more about these kinds of services and the benefits they can provide to your journey to the US.
Other important facts about the TN visa process
Not everyone can apply for a TN visa. You’ll need a suitable education level (Bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum) in a field that’s covered by the TN NAFTA agreement. You can check whether you’re eligible on the official UCSIS web pages.
Besides that, once you get your TN visa, you’ll be able to extend its duration after three years. This can be done indefinitely, which is incredibly important for those looking to eventually continue their careers in the United States.
If you’re able to obtain a TN visa, your spouse, and your children under the age of 21 may be eligible for a TD visa. The regulations for the TD visa approval are slightly different between the citizens of Mexico and Canada, so make sure you’ve talked this through with your chosen TN Visa expert.
The bottom line
Overall, we cannot tell you the exact estimates on the TN visa legal fees. It will all depend on your specific circumstances: the complexity of your case, fees charged by your legal advisor, your country of origin, and so on. Remember to do as much research as you can and consult with an expert before you’ve filed your application. The more knowledgeable you are, the less you’ll have to pay in fees.
We hope our article helped you understand the topic in question a bit better and we wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
