TN/TD visas

 

Please do NOT stand in line outside of the Embassy. Come directly to third floor, Petition Visa Unit (PVU).

  

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. 

The electronic application forms (EVAF), DS-156 and 157 MUST be held together with a paper clip.  DO NOT staple or fold the application forms. 

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 visa holders may seek a derivative TD (Trade Dependent) visa at this Post. For example, the newly-wed Korean spouse of a Canadian TN visa 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 visa 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 at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S.
• A completed and signed application form DS-156 (Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF))/DS-157 application form with photo (50x50mm and taken within the last six months) for each person applying. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in a parent's passport. These forms can be downloaded from this web site.
• 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 visa holder) passport biographical data page and page showing the entry date, if principal applicant is in the U.S. on TN visa.
• A copy of the principal applicant's Form I-94 (departure card), both front and back, if principal applicant is in the U.S. on TN visa.
• A complete copy of the Application for TN Visa 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.  Courier forms are available at the Embassy.
  

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.

Contacting Us Concerning TD Visa Cases

Due to our volume of casework, we are unable to accept telephone calls concerning individual visa cases. Attorneys of Record, applicants and others are welcome to contact us by FAX, e-mail or postal mail. Please include a return FAX number so that we may respond by FAX to your inquiry.

Nonimmigrant Visa FAX:

FAX : 82-2-736-6839 ( E, H, L, O, P, Q and TN/TD visas only)
DSN FAX : 721-4214

Nonimmigrant Visas E-MAIL:

E-mail inquiries at: seoulgoldteam@state.gov (E, H, L, O, P, Q  and TN/TD visas)

Our Address in Korea (international postage needed from outside Korea):

U.S. Embassy
CONS/PVU
ATTN: Gold Team
32 Sejong-no, Chongno-gu
Seoul 110-710

Our APO/MPS Address (only U.S. domestic postage needed, even from outside of Korea):

U.S. Embassy
CONS/PVU
ATTN: Gold Team
Unit 15550
APO AP 96205-5550

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.

For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov.

The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for qualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.

Updated May 30, 2008