The TN Visa was created as a result of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. A TN Visa is available to Canadian and Mexican citizen foreign physicians who intend to work in the United States as teaching or research physicians. Direct patient care is permissible while in TN Visa status provided it is incidental to the teaching and/or research activities. Incidental patient care has been defined by the USCIS to be no more than 10% of the overall time spent performing the teaching or research duties.
Canadian citizen physicians may easily obtain a TN Visa by presenting an application at a United States port of entry. Mexican citizen physician must first obtain approval from a United States Embassy in Mexico prior to proceeding to the port-of-entry. The TN Visa is renewable indefinitely although the foreign physician must establish that the position is temporary and that he or she has a foreign residence that has not been abandoned. Unlike the H-1B Visa the FLEX/USMLE is not required although a medical degree and a state medical license must be presented to obtain this visa.
If you would like to learn more about the immigration options available to foreign physicians please send a request to us at:
Leibl and Kirkwood PC
12625 High Bluff Drive
Suite 213
San Diego, CA 92130
Tel. (858) 481-5211
Fax. (858) 481-7271