TN Trade NAFTA

The NAFTA trade agreement created a non-immigrant category for Canadian and Mexican professionals to enter the US and work. Like the H-1B, it is for professional positions which must require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a specific field, and the individual must have the specific degree. Although the TN applies to Mexican citizens, it is of little practical value, as the same processing steps must be followed as for an H-1B. Therefore, UCONN uses the TN almost exclusively for Canadian citizens ("landed immigrants", the Canadian equivalent of permanent residents, do not qualify). This is a temporary status and TNs should not intend to immigrate. The main advantage of TN status is that no prior INS processing is necessary; the Canadian can get the classification at the border.

Please be advised just asTN's are Employer Specific (work authorized only by sponsoring employers) only TN's sponsored by UCONN can be paid by UCONN for compensition and only through the Payroll Department. No Honorarium can be paid by UCONN to a TN Visa holder from another University.

Type(s) of Payments

*Salary
*Payment for services
*Travel reimbursement

Length of Time to Process

*No advance processing required; the Canadian does it at the border upon entry

Length of Stay

Annually renewable, no maximum

Special Conditions

*Limited to Canadian citizens, not landed immigrants
*Cannot intend to immigrate
*MDs activities are limited to research and teaching; no patient care

Required Document Summary

*Appointment letter from hiring department which includes: full job description; minimum education and/or experience requirements; proposed dates of employment; annual salary
*Proof of Canadian citizenship
*Proof of qualifications
*Application fee

Forms Needed for Payment##

Salary

*Form W-4 and , CT-W4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, completed single one and $7.60/weeek, $15.30/biweekly, using standard graduated withholding tables, unless tax treaty applies.
*I-9, copy of passport, copy of I-94.
* Foreign National Information Form
*Form 8233 Exemption from Withholding on Compensation and applicable Revenue Statement if tax treaty exemption applies.
*Social Security number or International Tax Identification number required.

Payment for Travel Reimbursement

*CO-17 with attached copy of I-94 and and Foreign National Information Form(for employee travel use Travel Expense Report, no copies of immigration documents needed)
*Form W8BEN - Certificate of Foreign Status

Tax Liability/Withholding

Social Security Tax

FICA withholding required

Federal Tax

Salary:
Taxes are deducted based on "single with one allowance plus $7.60/week, $15.30/biweekly using standard graduated withholding tables, unless tax treaty exemption applies

Travel Reimbursement:
none at this time, under review

 

State Tax

Salary:
Taxes are deducted based on "single" with one allowance using standard graduated withholding tables, tax treaties do not apply in Connecticut

Travel Reimbursement:
None

 

I-9 Verification###

*Valid I-94 with TN notation