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TN/TD visas

Important Notice: DO NOT STAPLE APPLICATION FORMS

All applicants are required to glue a picture and a visa processing fee receipt (MRV) from Shinhan Bank on the electronic visa application form (EVAF) DS-156.  DO NOT staple them to the DS-156.  Please glue a MRV receipt to the 2-D barcode page of the EVAF DS-156. Please click here to see an example of the DS-156 3rd page with the 2-D barcode page. 

How to Apply

The TN (Trade Professional) classification is adjudicated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the port of entry to citizens of Canada and Mexico who qualify under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Dependents of TN status holders may seek a derivative TD (Trade Dependent) visa at this Post. For example, the newly-wed Korean spouse of a Canadian TN status holder can apply for a TD visa in order to join the principal applicant in the United States.

To determine whether a TD visa applicant is qualified for derivative status, he or she will have to provide evidence of the principal TN status holder's qualifications, in addition to the documents required of all applicants for nonimmigrant visas.

Canadian citizens are not obliged to be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S.  Canadian citizens may apply directly at Class A U.S. ports of entry.  In rare cases,  a Canadian without TN status, who resides in a third country with a non-Canadian spouses or children under 21 years old, and who plans to enter the U.S. as a NAFTA professional simultaneously with the family member(s) will need a TN visa in order to confer derivative TD status on his or her dependents. 

TN and TD visa applicants required to schedule an interview through Visa Information Web Services at www.us-visaservices.com and bring all their application materials with them at the time of their interview. You are required to be finger scanned at the time of your interview. Children 13 years old and younger are not required to be finger scanned and are not required to be present at the time of interview. Normally, it takes two hours for us to review an applicant's application and document after finger scanning.  After we complete reviewing your documents, we will call you for an interview. 
 
An applicant must be physically present in Korea while his/her visa application is pending at the U.S. Embassy Seoul. Please do not send your application and supporting documents to us in advance. Please bring everything with you to your scheduled appointment.
 

Required Documents

  • A passport valid for travel to the United States with any plastic/leather cases removed. (Note: A passport with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States is required for certain countries, unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions.  Korean and certain other country passports are exempt from this requirement.)

    Please obtain a new passport prior to your interview if:

    1. the biographic page of your passport is separating from the remainder of your passport, or
    2. your passport is otherwise torn, damaged or mutilated.

    U.S. visas cannot be placed in damaged passports.

  • A completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156) with photo (See "photo requirements" ) for each applicant.  All applicants are required to use the Electronic Visa Application DS-156 Form (EVAF). You must type the information required into the appropriate spaces on the DS-156 then print the completed DS-156. 
  • Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is required to be submitted with Form DS-156 by all male nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants between the age of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality or place of application.
  • A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee. The fee may be paid at any of the bank's branches in Korea. There is a branch only a short walk from the Embassy; here is a map. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed. 
  • A copy of the principal applicant's (TN status holder) passport biographical data page and page showing the entry date, if principal applicant is in the U.S. in TN status.
  • A copy of the principal applicant's Form I-94 (departure card), both front and back, if principal applicant is in the U.S. in TN status.
  • A complete copy of the Application for TN Status made by the principal applicant's employer. 

    1. A statement from the employer with a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated length of stay, and the arrangements for pay or reward;

    2. Evidence that the beneficiary meets the education and/or alternative credentials for the activity;

    3. Evidence that all licensure requirements, where applicable to the activity, have been satisfied

  • Proof of family relationships
    For foreigner: Marriage Certificate 
    For Korean: A copy of the Certificate of Family Relationship (one copy for the entire family) and a Basic Certificate, Certificate of Marital Status and Adoption Certificate for each person if your family members apply for a derivative visa.  Each certificate must be issued within one month of the application date.
  • A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company (Ilyang: 1588-0002; Hanjin:1588-0011) within Korea. Courier service receipt will be needed to return your passport to you after the visa issuance.  Each passport has a separate courier service form attached.

Processing Time

Processing time will vary with the complexity of the case and our overall workload. If you are found eligible for a visa at the time of your interview, your visa will be ready for mailing after 3 to 5 working days. Please make flexible travel plans.

Please understand that we try to process nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications as quickly as possible. Please help us by ensuring that all your documents are complete and correct. Apply early for your NIV, as we can never guarantee visa processing in time to suit your travel plans. Please understand that U.S. law requires us to process each application separately on its own merits. We can never give assurance of NIV issuance.


 

 


Updated: November 13, 2009