Changing to TN Status
To qualify for TN non-immigrant status, you must be a citizen of Mexico or Canada, and be entering the United States to work in a profession on the approved NAFTA TN list. The TN non-immigrant status can be used to bring faculty members, researchers, consultants, administrators, or individuals to work at Emory on a temporary basis in professions listed on the NAFTA list of occupations. The list is found at http://www.nafta-secalena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID=147#Ap1603.D.1
Non-immigrants in most status categories who are Canadian or Mexican citizens may change to TN status. If you are a Canadian or Mexican professional who is currently in the U.S. and choose not to return to your home country to obtain TN non-immigration status, Emory can apply for a change of non-immigrant status on your behalf. If your dependents are also present, they can apply for a change of status at the same time. With a change of status, however, employment cannot begin without final TN approval unless you are already in a valid status which allows employment at Emory.
The TN approval is granted on USCIS Form I-797 and a new Form I-94: Departure Record is issued. Form I-94, along with an identity document, can be used for employment eligibility certification on Form I-9.
If you are currently in TN status and are changing employers, you can work for Emory only after Emory's TN petition has been submitted to USCIS and an official USCIS approval notice has been received or after you have left the U.S. and re-entered as a TN with the appropriate Emory documentation.