U.S. Immigration and

Naturalization Service

Headquarters, Office of Inspections

North American Free Trade Agreement

NAFTA

HANDBOOK

November 1999
The NAFTA Handbook is provided by Headquarters Inspections as reference material to 

assist immigration inspectors in processing applicants for admission under the North 

American Free Trade Agreement. 

Sources of information in this manual include: Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade 

Agreement, pertinent sections of 8 CFR, Operating Instructions, Inspectors Field Manual, 

Interim Decisions and Case Law Summaries, NAFTA Interim and Final Rule, implementation 

wires, and pertinent memoranda. 

The information contained herein is subject to change. It is the responsibility of each officer to 

be aware of changes that are made to the statute, regulations and Field Manuals as well as 

any other subsequent clarification, and to update the manual with relevant changes. 
Section 1 - Reference Material: 3 

Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade Agreement 4

NAFTA Final Rule, Federal Register 63 FR 1331 13

NAFTA Interim Rule, Federal Register 58 FR 69205 20

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.5 42

Section 2 - B-1 Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA 55 

8 CFR 214.2 (b) - Admission of Aliens Pursuant to NAFTA 56

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.4(b) 58

Requirements for admission 61

Spouse and children 62

Extension of Stay 62

Tour Bus/Transportation Operators Memo, July 2, 1998 64

Section 3 - E- 1 & E- 2 Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA

8 CFR 214.2 (e) - Treaty Traders and Investors

OI 214.2(e) 

63 FR 67135 Notice of Location of Filing Petitions

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.4(e)

Requirements for admission

Spouse and children

Extension of Stay

Section 4 - L-1 Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA

8 CFR 214.2 (l) - Intracompany Transferees

OI 214.2 (l)

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.4(l)

Requirements for admission

Denial of "L" application

Extension of Stay

Spouse and children

64 FR 29208 Adjustment of Status Interim Rule

Special Knowledge Memorandum

I-129 Processing Summary

I-129 Processing Summary – New Office

I-129 Processing Summary - Blanket Petition

Section 5 - Canadian TN Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA

8 CFR 214.6 - TN Professionals

Requirements for admission

Extension of Stay

Change of/or additional employer

Spouse and children

Denial of "TN" application for admission

TN Processing Summary

TN Information Handout

Section 6 - Mexican TN Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA

Requirements for admission

Extension of Stay

Change of/or additional employer

Spouse and children

68 

69 

75 

76 

78 

79 

80 

81 

82 

83 

93 

101 

103 

108 

108 

109 

110 

116 

119 

120 

121 

122 

123 

134 

138 

138 

139 

139 

140 

141 

142 

143 

148 

148 

148 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 1 
Section 7 - Entry of Nonimmigrant Workers during Labor Disputes 149 

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.10 150 

INA 214(j) 150

Section 8 - NAFTA Cables 152

Section 9 - Definitions 184

Section 10 - Sources of Information 188

Section 11- Related Interim Decisions 190

Section 12 - Case Law Summaries 212

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 2 
SECTION ONE 

REFERENCE MATERIAL 

Chapter 16 North America Free Trade Agreement 4

Federal Register (63FR1331) NAFTA Final Rule 13

Federal Register (58FR69205) NAFTA Interim Rule 20

Chapter 15.5 Inspectors' Field Manual 42

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 3 
North American Free Trade Agreement 

Chapter Sixteen: Temporary Entry for Business Persons 

Article 1601: General Principles 

Further to Article 102 (Objectives), this Chapter reflects the preferential trading relationship between the Parties, 

the desirability of facilitating temporary entry on a reciprocal basis and of establishing transparent criteria and 

procedures for temporary entry, and the need to ensure border security and to protect the domestic labor force 

and permanent employment in their respective territories. 

Article 1602: General Obligations 

1. Each Party shall apply its measures relating to the provisions of this Chapter in accordance with Article 1601 

and, in particular, shall apply expeditiously those measures so as to avoid unduly impairing or delaying trade in 

goods or services or conduct of investment activities under this Agreement. 

2. The Parties shall endeavor to develop and adopt common criteria, definitions and interpretations for the 

implementation of this Chapter. 

Article 1603: Grant of Temporary Entry 

1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry to business persons who are otherwise qualified for entry under 

applicable measures relating to public health and safety and national security, in accordance with this Chapter, 

including the provisions of Annex 1603. 

2. A Party may refuse to issue an immigration document authorizing employment to a business person where 

the temporary entry of that person might affect adversely: 

(a) the settlement of any labor dispute that is in progress at the place or intended place of employment; or 

(b) the employment of any person who is involved in such dispute. 

3. When a Party refuses pursuant to paragraph 2 to issue an immigration document authorizing employment, it 

shall: 

(a) inform in writing the business person of the reasons for the refusal; and 

(b) promptly notify in writing the Party whose business person has been refused entry of the reasons for the 

refusal. 

4. Each Party shall limit any fees for processing applications for temporary entry of business persons to the 

approximate cost of services rendered. 

Article 1604: Provision of Information 

1. Further to Article 1802 (Publication), each Party shall: 

(a) provide to the other Parties such materials as will enable them to become acquainted with its measures 

relating to this Chapter; and 

(b) no later than one year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, prepare, publish and make 

available in its own territory, and in the territories of the other Parties, explanatory material in a consolidated 

document regarding the requirements for temporary entry under this Chapter in such a manner as will 

enable business persons of the other Parties to become acquainted with them. 

2. Subject to Annex 1604.2, each Party shall collect and maintain, and make available to the other Parties in 

accordance with its domestic law, data respecting the granting of temporary entry under this Chapter to 

business persons of the other Parties who have been issued immigration documentation, including data specific 

to each occupation, profession or activity. 

Article 1605: Working Group 

1. The Parties hereby establish a Temporary Entry Working Group, comprising representatives of each Party, 

including immigration officials. 

2. The Working Group shall meet at least once each year to consider: 

(a) the implementation and administration of this Chapter; 

(b) the development of measures to further facilitate temporary entry of business persons on a reciprocal 

basis; 

(c) the waiving of labor certification tests or procedures of similar effect for spouses of business persons 

who have been granted temporary entry for more than one year under Section B, C or D of Annex 1603; 

and 

(d) proposed modifications of or additions to this Chapter. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 4 
Article 1606: Dispute Settlement 

1. A Party may not initiate proceedings under Article 2007 (Commission Good Offices, Conciliation and 

Mediation) regarding a refusal to grant temporary entry under this Chapter or a particular case arising under 

Article 1602(1) unless: 

(a) the matter involves a pattern of practice; and

(b) the business person has exhausted the available administrative remedies regarding the particular

matter.

2. The remedies referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall be deemed to be exhausted if a final determination in the 

matter has not been issued by the competent authority within one year of the institution of an administrative 

proceeding, and the failure to issue a determination is not attributable to delay caused by the business person. 

Article 1607: Relation to Other Chapters 

Except for this Chapter, Chapters One (Objectives), Two (General Definitions), Twenty (Institutional 

Arrangements and Dispute Settlement Procedures) and Twenty Two (Final Provisions) and Articles 1801 

(Contacts Points), 1802 (Publication), 1803 (Notification and Provision of Information) and 1804 (Administrative 

Proceedings), no provision of this Agreement shall impose any obligation on a Party regarding its immigration 

measures. 

Article 1608: Definitions 

For purposes of this Chapter:

business person means a citizen of a Party who is engaged in trade in goods, the provision of services or the

conduct of investment activities;

citizen means "citizen" as defined in Annex 1608 for the Parties specified in that Annex;

existing means "existing" as defined in Annex 1608 for the Parties specified in that Annex; and

temporary entry means entry into the territory of a Party by a business person of another Party without the

intent to establish permanent residence.

Annex 1603: Temporary Entry for Business Persons 

Section A - Business Visitors 

1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry to a business person seeking to engage in a business activity set out 

in Appendix 1603.A.1, without requiring that person to obtain an employment authorization, provided that the 

business person otherwise complies with existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry, on 

presentation of: 

(a) proof of citizenship of a Party;

(b) documentation demonstrating that the business person will be so engaged and describing the purpose of

entry; and

(c) evidence demonstrating that the proposed business activity is international in scope and that the

business person is not seeking to enter the local labor market.

2. Each Party shall provide that a business person may satisfy the requirements of paragraph 1(c) by 

demonstrating that: 

(a) the primary source of remuneration for the proposed business activity is outside the territory of the Party 

granting temporary entry; and 

(b) the business person's principal place of business and the actual place of accrual of profits, at least 

predominantly, remain outside such territory. 

A Party shall normally accept an oral declaration as to the principal place of business and the actual place of 

accrual of profits. Where the Party requires further proof, it shall normally consider a letter from the employer 

attesting to these matters as sufficient proof. 

3. Each Party shall grant temporary entry to a business person seeking to engage in a business activity other 

than those set out in Appendix 1603.A.1, without requiring that person to obtain an employment authorization, 

on a basis no less favorable than that provided under the existing provisions of the measures set out in 

Appendix 1603.A.3, provided that the business person otherwise complies with existing immigration measures 

applicable to temporary entry. 

4. No Party may: 

(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1 or 3, require prior approval procedures, petitions, 

labor certification tests or other procedures of similar effect; or 

(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary entry under paragraph 1 or 3. 

5. Notwithstanding paragraph 4, a Party may require a business person seeking temporary entry under this 

Section to obtain a visa or its equivalent prior to entry. Before imposing a visa requirement, the Party shall 

consult, on request, with a Party whose business persons would be affected with a view to avoiding the 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 5 
imposition of the requirement. With respect to an existing visa requirement, a Party shall consult, on request, 

with a Party whose business persons are subject to the requirement with a view to its removal. 

Section B - Traders and Investors 

1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming documentation to a business person seeking 

to: 

(a) carry on substantial trade in goods or services principally between the territory of the Party of which the 

business person is a citizen and the territory of the Party into which entry is sought, or 

(b) establish, develop, administer or provide advice or key technical services to the operation of an 

investment to which the business person or the business person's enterprise has committed, or is in the 

process of committing, a substantial amount of capital, 

in a capacity that is supervisory, executive or involves essential skills, provided that the business person 

otherwise complies with existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry. 

2. No Party may: 

(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require labor certification tests or other procedures 

of similar effect; or 

(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary entry under paragraph 1. 

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require a business person seeking temporary entry under this 

Section to obtain a visa or its equivalent prior to entry. 

Section C - Intra-Company Transferees 

1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming documentation to a business person employed 

by an enterprise who seeks to render services to that enterprise or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof, in a capacity 

that is managerial, executive or involves specialized knowledge, provided that the business person otherwise 

complies with existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry. A Party may require the business 

person to have been employed continuously by the enterprise for one year within the three year period 

immediately preceding the date of the application for admission. 

2. No Party may: 

(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require labor certification tests or other procedures 

of similar effect; or 

(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary entry under paragraph 1. 

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require a business person seeking temporary entry under this 

Section to obtain a visa or its equivalent prior to entry. Before imposing a visa requirement, the Party shall 

consult with a Party whose business persons would be affected with a view to avoiding the imposition of the 

requirement. With respect to an existing visa requirement, a Party shall consult, on request, with a Party whose 

business persons are subject to the requirement with a view to its removal. 

Section D - Professionals 

1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming documentation to a business person seeking 

to engage in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix 1603.D.1, if the 

business person otherwise complies with existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry, on 

presentation of: 

(a) proof of citizenship of a Party; and

(b) documentation demonstrating that the business person will be so engaged and describing the purpose of

entry.

2. No Party may: 

(a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require prior approval procedures, petitions, labor 

certification tests or other procedures of similar effect; or 

(b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to temporary entry under paragraph 1. 

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, a Party may require a business person seeking temporary entry under this 

Section to obtain a visa or its equivalent prior to entry. Before imposing a visa requirement, the Party shall 

consult with a Party whose business persons would be affected with a view to avoiding the imposition of the 

requirement. With respect to an existing visa requirement, a Party shall consult, on request, with a Party whose 

business persons are subject to the requirement with a view to its removal. 

4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, a Party may establish an annual numerical limit, which shall be set out 

in Appendix 1603.D.4, regarding temporary entry of business persons of another Party seeking to engage in 

business activities at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix 1603.D.1, if the Parties concerned 

have not agreed otherwise prior to the date of entry into force of this Agreement for those Parties. In 

establishing such a limit, the Party shall consult with the other Party concerned. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 6 
5. A Party establishing a numerical limit pursuant to paragraph 4, unless the Parties concerned agree otherwise: 

(a) shall, for each year after the first year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, consider 

increasing the numerical limit set out in Appendix 1603.D.4 by an amount to be established in consultation 

with the other Party concerned, taking into account the demand for temporary entry under this Section; 

(b) shall not apply its procedures established pursuant to paragraph 1 to the temporary entry of a business 

person subject to the numerical limit, but may require the business person to comply with its other 

procedures applicable to the temporary entry of professionals; and 

(c) may, in consultation with the other Party concerned, grant temporary entry under paragraph 1 to a 

business person who practices in a profession where accreditation, licensing, and certification requirements 

are mutually recognized by those Parties. 

6. Nothing in paragraph 4 or 5 shall be construed to limit the ability of a business person to seek temporary entry 

under a Party's applicable immigration measures relating to the entry of professionals other than those adopted 

or maintained pursuant to paragraph 1. 

7. Three years after a Party establishes a numerical limit pursuant to paragraph 4, it shall consult with the other 

Party concerned with a view to determining a date after which the limit shall cease to apply. 

Appendix 1603.A.1: Business Visitors 

Research and Design 

• Technical, scientific and statistical researchers conducting independent research or research for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Growth, Manufacture and Production 

• Harvester owner supervising a harvesting crew admitted under applicable law. 

• Purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Marketing 

• Market researchers and analysts conducting independent research or analysis or research or analysis 

for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

• Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention. 

Sales 

• Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party but not delivering goods or providing services. 

• Buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Distribution 

• Transportation operators transporting goods or passengers to the territory of a Party from the territory of 

another Party or loading and transporting goods or passengers from the territory of a Party, with no 

unloading in that territory, to the territory of another Party. 

• With respect to temporary entry into the territory of the United States, Canadian customs brokers 

performing brokerage duties relating to the export of goods from the territory of the United States to or 

through the territory of Canada. 

• With respect to temporary entry into the territory of Canada, United States customs brokers performing 

brokerage duties relating to the export of goods from the territory of Canada to or through the territory of 

the United States. 

• Customs brokers providing consulting services regarding the facilitation of the import or export of goods. 

After Sales Service 

• Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing specialized knowledge 

essential to a seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform services, 

pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial 

equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside the 

territory of the Party into which temporary entry is sought, during the life of the warranty or service 

agreement. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 7 
General Service 

• Professionals engaging in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix 

1603.D.1. 

• Management and supervisory personnel engaging in a commercial transaction for an enterprise located 

in the territory of another Party. 

• Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaging in commercial 

transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

• Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or 

participating in conventions. 

• Tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators) attending or participating in 

conventions or conducting a tour that has begun in the territory of another Party. 

• Tour bus operators entering the territory of a Party: 

(a) with a group of passengers on a bus tour that has begun in, and will return to, the territory of 

another Party; 

(b) to meet a group of passengers on a bus tour that will end, and the predominant portion of which 

will take place, in the territory of another Party; or 

(c) with a group of passengers on a bus tour to be unloaded in the territory of the Party into which 

temporary entry is sought, and returning with no passengers or reloading with the group for 

transportation to the territory of another Party. 

• Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the territory of 

another Party. 

Definitions 

For purposes of this Appendix:

territory of another Party means the territory of a Party other than the territory of the Party into which

temporary entry is sought;

tour bus operator means a natural person, including relief personnel accompanying or following to join,

necessary for the operation of a tour bus for the duration of a trip; and

transportation operator means a natural person, other than a tour bus operator, including relief personnel

accompanying or following to join, necessary for the operation of a vehicle for the duration of a trip.

Appendix 1603.A.3: Existing Immigration Measures 

1. In the case of Canada, subsection 19(1) of the Immigration Regulations, 1978, SOR/78172, as amended, 

made under the Immigration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I2, as amended. 

2. In the case of the United States, section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 1952, as 

amended. 

3. In the case of Mexico, Chapter III of the General Demography Law ("Ley General de Población"), 1974, as 

amended. 

Appendix 1603.D.1: Professionals 

PROFESSION1 

General 

Accountant 

Architect 

Computer Systems Analyst 

Disaster Relief Insurance Claims 

Adjuster (claims Adjuster employed 

by an insurance company located in 

of a Party, or an independent 

claims adjuster) 

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 

AND ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALS 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A.,C.A., C.G.A. or

C.M.A.

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or

state/provincial license2

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or

Post Secondary Diploma3 or Post Secondary

Certificate4, and three years experience

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, and successful

completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance

adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years

experience in claims adjustment and successful

completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance

adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 8 
Economist 

Engineer 

Forester

Graphic Designer

Hotel Manager 

Industrial Designer 

Interior Designer 

Land Surveyor 

Landscape Architect 

Lawyer (including Notary in 

the Province of Quebec) 

Librarian 

Management Consultant 

Mathematician (including Statistician) 

Range Manager/Range Conservationist 

Research Assistant (working in a postsecondary educational institution) 

Scientific Technician/Technologist5 

Social Worker 

Sylviculturist (including 

Forestry Specialist) 

Technical Publications Writer 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or

state/provincial license

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post Secondary

Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate, and three years experience

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant

management; or Post Secondary Diploma or Post Secondary

Certificate in hotel/restaurant management, and three years

experience in hotel/restaurant management

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post Secondary 

Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate, and three years 

experience 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post Secondary 

Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate, and three years 

experience 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial/federal 

license 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

LL.B., J.D., LL.L., B.C.L. or Licenciatura Degree (five years); or 

membership in a state/provincial bar 

M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura 

Degree was a prerequisite) 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional 

experience as established by statement or professional credential 

attesting to five years experience as a management consultant, 

or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the 

consulting agreement 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following: 

engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics; 

and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those 

disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those 

disciplines to basic or applied research 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post Secondary 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 9 
Urban Planner (including Geographer) 

Vocational Counselor 

Medical/Allied Professional 

Dentist 

or 

Dietitian 

Medical Laboratory Technologist 

(Canada)/Medical Technologist 

(Mexico and the United States)6 

Nutritionist 

Occupational Therapist 

Pharmacist 

Physician (teaching or research only) 

Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist 

Psychologist 

Recreational Therapist 

Registered Nurse 

Veterinarian 

Scientist 

Agriculturist (including Agronomist)

Animal Breeder

Animal Scientist

Apiculturist

Astronomer

Biochemist

Biologist

Chemist

Dairy Scientist

Entomologist

Epidemiologist

Geneticist

Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate, and three years experience

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental;

state/provincial license

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary 

Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years 

experience 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license 

M.D. or Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial license 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license 

State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree 

D.V.M., D.M.V. or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 10 
Geologist 

Geochemist 

Geophysicist (including Oceanographer) 

in Mexico and the United States) 

Horticulturist 

Meteorologist 

Pharmacologist 

Physicist (including Oceanographer 

in Canada) 

Plant Breeder 

Poultry Scientist 

Soil Scientist 

Zoologist 

Teacher 

College 

Seminary 

University 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree 

__________________________________________________

1 A business person seeking temporary entry under this Appendix may also perform training functions relating

to the profession, including conducting seminars.

2 "State/provincial license" and "state/provincial/federal license" mean any document issued by a state,

provincial or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not by a local government, that

permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession.

3 "Post-Secondary Diploma" means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary 

education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. 

4 "Post-Secondary Certificate" means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary 

education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in Mexico, an 

academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an academic institution 

created by federal or state law. 

5 A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to work in direct support of professionals 

in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology 

or physics. 

6 A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical, 

biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, 

treatment or prevention of disease. 

Appendix 1603.D.4: United States 

1. Beginning on the date of entry into force of this Agreement as between the United States and Mexico, the 

United States shall annually approve as many as 5,500 initial petitions of business persons of Mexico seeking 

temporary entry under Section D of Annex 1603 to engage in a business activity at a professional level in a 

profession set out in Appendix 1603.D.1. 

2. For purposes of paragraph 1, the United States shall not take into account: 

(a) the renewal of a period of temporary entry; 

(b) the entry of a spouse or children accompanying or following to join the principal business person; 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 11 
(c) an admission under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 1952, as may be 

amended, including the worldwide numerical limit established by section 214(g)(1)(A) of that Act; or 

(d) an admission under any other provision of section 101(a)(15) of that Act relating to the entry of 

professionals. 

3. Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Section D of Annex 1603 shall apply as between the United States and Mexico for no 

longer than: 

(a) the period that such paragraphs or similar provisions may apply as between the United States and any 

other Party other than Canada or any non Party; or 

(b) 10 years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement as between such Parties, whichever period 

is shorter. 

Annex 1604.2: Provision of Information 

The obligations under Article 1604(2) shall take effect with respect to Mexico one year after the date of entry into 

force of this Agreement. 

Annex 1608: Country Specific Definitions 

For purposes of this Chapter:

citizen means, with respect to Mexico, a national or a citizen according to the existing provisions of Articles 30

and 34, respectively, of the Mexican Constitution; and

existing means, as between:

(a) Canada and Mexico, and Mexico and the United States, in effect on the date of entry into force of this

Agreement; and

(b) Canada and the United States, in effect on January 1, 1989.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 12 
DOCUMENT NUMBER: FR 1-98 

FEDERAL REGISTER CITE: 63 FR 1331 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 9, 1998 

BILLING CODE 4410-10-M 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

8 CFR Parts 103, 212, 214, 235, and 274a 

[INS No. 1611-93] 

RIN 1115-AB72 

Temporary Entry of Business Persons Under the North American Free 

Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This rule implements provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by 

amending the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) regulations establishing procedures for the 

temporary entry of Canadian and Mexican citizen business persons into the United States. This rule will facilitate 

temporary entry on a reciprocal basis among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while recognizing the 

continued need to ensure border security and to protect indigenous labor and permanent employment in all 

three countries. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 9, 1998. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen V. deThomas, Adjudications Officer, Immigration and 

Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW., Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-5014. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 17, 1992, the Presidents of the United States and Mexico 

and the Prime Minister of Canada entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 

Implementation of this agreement has been provided for by the North American Free Trade Agreement 

Implementation Act (NAFTA Implementation Act), Public Law 103-182. The NAFTA Implementation Act was 

signed into law by the President of the United States on December 8, 1993. The NAFTA entered into force on 

January 1, 1994. 

This final rule pertains to Canadian and Mexican citizen temporary visitors for business seeking 

classification under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act), to Canadian and 

Mexican citizen treaty traders and treaty investors seeking classification under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act, 

to Canadian and Mexican citizen intracompany transferees seeking classification under section 101(a)(15)(L) of 

the Act, and to Canadian and Mexican citizens engaging in activities at a professional level seeking 

classification under section 214(e) of the Act, as amended by section 341(b) of the NAFTA Implementation Act. 

This rule sets forth the procedures for the temporary entry of Canadian and Mexican citizen business 

persons as provided in Chapter 16 of the NAFTA and Subtitle D of Title III of the NAFTA Implementation Act. 

Chapter 16 of the NAFTA, Subtitle D of Title III of the NAFTA Implementation Act, and this rule reflect the 

special trading relationship now established among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and recognize the 

desirability of facilitating temporary entry on a reciprocal basis and of establishing transparent criteria and 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 13 
procedures for such temporary entry. At the same time, full recognition is given to the continued need to ensure 

border security while protecting the domestic labor force and permanent employment in all three countries. 

On December 30, 1993, the Service published an interim rule with request for comments in the Federal 

Register at 58 FR 69205, implementing the NAFTA. Interested persons were invited to submit comments to the 

Service on or before February 28, 1994. 

Discussion of Comments 

The Service received comments from three commenters relating to the interim rule. One of the 

commenters requested that additional medical occupations be added to the list of professions contained in 

Appendix 1603.D.1. Although the Service appreciates this comment, this final rule is not the proper forum in 

which to discuss whether an occupation should be added to the list of professions contained in Appendix 

1603.D.1. The determination as to whether an occupation should be added to Appendix 1603.D.1 is made in a 

separate procedure apart from this final rule and involves consultations, on the domestic side, with other 

government agencies belonging to the NAFTA Temporary Entry Working Group. See Article 1605 of the 

NAFTA. In addition, the process involves consultation with representatives of the Canadian and Mexican 

governments and appropriate U.S. Congressional subcommittees. See NAFTA Implementation Act Statement 

of Administrative Action at page 183. If a decision is made to add occupations to the Appendix 1603.D.1, the 

Service will notify the public by publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register. 

The second commenter, the U.S. Coast Guard, recommended that a provision for the temporary entry 

of spill response specialists and laborers be added as a new class of business activity under 8 CFR 

214.2(b)(4)(i). Such a provision, the Coast Guard stated, would allow pollution response workers lawful entry to 

the United States in conjunction with an actual response or response preparedness exercise under the Joint 

Marine Pollution Contingency Plans in effect among the NAFTA parties. The Service's regulations at 8 CFR 

214.2(b)(4) provide for the entry in B-1 nonimmigrant classification of citizens of Mexico and Canada pursuant to 

Section A of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Although Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA provides a 

detailed list of specific types of activities in which a B-1 business visitor seeking entry under the NAFTA may 

engage, it is not intended to be exhaustive. As stated in the existing provision already available at 8 CFR 

214.2(b)(4)(ii), nothing precludes a citizen of Mexico or Canada from seeking entry to engage in business 

activities which are not included within Appendix 1603.A.1, provided he or she meets all requirements for entry 

as a business visitor under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act. Whether a particular type of activity falls within this 

provision, however, will depend on the specific facts, and will require an analysis of the precise activities the 

alien intends to perform in this country. For this reason, the Service cannot determine in advance whether a 

Canadian or Mexican citizen wishing to engage in the activities described by the commenter would be 

consistent with section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act. Accordingly, the Service will not adopt the commenter's 

suggestion because no special amendment is needed to 8 CFR 214.2(b)(4) for entry in B-1 nonimmigrant 

classification. 

The third commenter was the American Immigration Lawyers' Association (AILA), a bar association 

representing over 3,600 lawyers and law professors practicing and teaching in the field of immigration and 

nationality law. The following discussion addresses the six issues raised by AILA in its comments and provides 

the Service's position on those issues. The discussion also indicates the revisions adopted in the final rule 

based on the comments. 

Effect of a Strike on a Treaty Trader or Investor Admitted Under the Provisions of the NAFTA--8 CFR 

214.2(e)(22) 

AILA suggested that the Service adopt regulatory language which would provide E nonimmigrant aliens 

with the same safeguards which both the L-1 and TN nonimmigrant aliens enjoy regarding labor disputes or 

work stoppages. Specifically, AILA noted that the regulations relating to the L-1 and TN nonimmigrant 

classifications state that the alien's participation in a labor dispute or work stoppage is not violative of his or her 

nonimmigrant classification. The Service agrees with this suggestion and will amend the language at 8 CFR 

214.2(e)(22) to reflect that E nonimmigrants admitted under the NAFTA are subject to the same labor dispute 

and work stoppage rules as TN and NAFTA L-1 nonimmigrants. 

Engage in Business Activities at a Professional Level--8 CFR 214.6(b) 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 14 
AILA suggested that the definition of the term "engage in business activities at a professional level" 

should be amended to allow self-employed individuals (that is, individuals who are self-employed in Canada or 

Mexico) to obtain TN classification even if the alien will be employed by a U.S. corporation which is whollyowned by the alien, "where such employment is not for self-subsistence and a true employment situation exists." 

AILA argued that the NAFTA does not preclude such a modification and that these aliens were admitted to the 

United States in the past under the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (CFTA). 

The Service cannot adopt this comment because its adoption would clearly conflict with the intent of the 

NAFTA Implementation Act. Annex 1603, section D, provides for the entry of a citizen of a Party country seeking 

to render professional-level services for an entity in another Party country. As stated in the NAFTA 

Implementation Act Statement of Administrative Action at page 178, "Section D of Annex 1603 does not 

authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in the United States in which the professional will be 

self-employed." It is the position of the Service that a professional may not avoid the bar to self-employment 

merely by adopting the corporate form. The test in all cases is whether the alien, in substance, is seeking 

admission for the purpose of establishing, or performing work for a business or practice that the alien has 

already established, in which he or she will be self-employed. 

It should be noted that the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which the Canadian or 

Mexican citizen will be self-employed is in no way intended to limit a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is selfemployed abroad from entering this country in, changing status to, or extending nonimmigrant stay in, TN 

classification pursuant to a pre-arranged agreement with a third party that is not substantively the same as, or 

de facto controlled by, the alien. On the other hand, a Canadian or Mexican citizen is precluded from entering 

this country in TN classification for the purpose of rendering pre-arranged services for a U.S. corporation or 

entity of which he or she is the sole or controlling shareholder or owner. 

It should also be noted that, although the issue of self-employment was never specifically addressed 

under the regulations promulgated by the Service pursuant to the CFTA Implementation Act, the bar on 

establishment of a business or practice in which the professional will be self-employed is consistent with the 

intent of the United States and Canada in entering into the CFTA. Since entry into NAFTA was not intended to 

substantively change the treatment of professionals, this explicit bar merely clarifies existing law. 

Finally, the Service notes that, under Chapter 16 of the NAFTA, Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking 

to engage in self-employment in trade or investment activities in this country may seek classification under 

section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. See NAFTA Implementation Act Statement of Administrative Action at page 

178. In this regard, Annex 1603, section B, which deals with "traders and investors," establishes the appropriate 

category of temporary entry for a citizen of a Party country seeking to develop and direct investment operations 

in another Party country. 

Temporary Entry--8 CFR 214.6(b) 

AILA suggested that the Service apply the concept of "dual intent" to the TN classification to 

accommodate business persons who may be adversely affected by the filing of a permanent residence petition 

or an application for a labor certification in their behalf. The concept of "dual intent" allows certain nonimmigrant 

aliens to retain nonimmigrant status even where the alien may have made application for permanent residence 

or where an employer has filed an application for a labor certification or employment-based petition in his or her 

behalf. 

This suggestion cannot be adopted because it is clearly inconsistent with Article 1608 of the NAFTA. 

For purpose of Chapter 16 of the NAFTA, Article 1608 of the NAFTA defines "temporary entry" specifically as 

"entry into the territory of a Party by a business person of another Party without the intent to establish 

permanent residence." (Emphasis added) 

In order to further explain the temporary nature of a TN alien's entry into the United States, the definition 

of "temporary entry" has been clarified in the final rule providing that while there is no specific limit on the total 

period of time a citizen of Canada or Mexico may remain in TN status, the TN classification is nevertheless for 

persons seeking temporary entry without the intent to establish permanent residence. This clarified definition of 

"temporary entry" comports with that used by the Department of State and the intent of the Article 1608 of the 

NAFTA. See 22 CFR 41.59(c) (December 28, 1993). 

Licensure for TN Classification--8 CFR 214.6(d)(2)(iv) 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 15 
AILA stated that it appears from the language of the interim regulation that the licensure requirements at 

8 CFR 214.6(d)(2)(iv) only apply to Mexican citizens and not to Canadian citizens since these requirements are 

listed under the heading "Classification of citizens of Mexico as TN professionals under the NAFTA." AILA 

stated that in fairness, the Service should apply equal requirements to both Canadian and Mexican citizens, and 

that, therefore, the Service should amend the interim rule accordingly. The Service agrees with the AILA that the 

licensure requirements for Canadian and Mexican citizens for purposes of temporary entry under the NAFTA 

should be, and notes that the requirements are, in fact, the same. In both instances, the Canadian or Mexico 

prospective TN professional must be in possession of the appropriate license, if required by law, to perform the 

duties of the profession in the location where the alien will be employed. Compare 8 CFR 214.6(d)(2) with 

214.6(e)(3)(ii). The Service's discussion of the licensure requirements for Mexican citizens in a separate 

regulatory provision than those for Canadian citizens should in no way be interpreted to imply that there exist 

different licensure requirements for these two groups of person. The Service discusses classification of Mexican 

citizens as TN professionals separately from that of their Canadian counterparts for clarity of presentation and to 

reflect the fact that, at this time, a petition is required for Mexican citizens seeking TN classification, while no 

such requirement exists for Canadian citizens. See NAFTA Annex 1603(D)(5)(b); NAFTA Appendix 1603.D.4. 

Accordingly, Mexican citizen professionals must present evidence of licensure, if necessary to perform the 

intended duties of the profession, at a different stage of the process than their Canadian counterparts. For these 

reasons, the Service will not adopt AILA's suggestion. 

Extension of Stay--8 CFR 214.6(h)(1) and (2) 

The regulation requires the extensions of stay for TN nonimmigrant aliens be filed on Form I-129 at the 

Nebraska Service Center. AILA suggested that this provision be amended to allow Ports-of-Entry to adjudicate 

extensions of stay. The Service will not adopt this suggestion because the Service has been moving towards the 

centralized adjudication of all petitions and applications at service centers in order to better serve the public. 

Such centralization will ensure consistency in the decision-making process, and will ensure that all applications 

and petitions are adjudicated in a timely fashion throughout the country. Although the Service realizes that some 

aliens may be required to travel and leave the country on short notice, proper planning by the alien's employer 

should minimize disruption of the alien's employment. In addition, the Service has established a procedure at 

the Nebraska Center to expedite the processing of applications and petitions in those situations where the 

petitioner establishes a bona fide need for such action. Ports-of-Entry, therefore, will remain responsible for 

processing applicants for TN admission to the United States, but not for processing applications for extensions 

of stay. 

Representation and Appearance--8 CFR Part 292 

AILA suggested that 8 CFR 214.6 should be amended to specify that the provisions of 8 CFR part 292, 

which pertain to the representation of aliens who are in Service proceedings, apply to foreign consultants who 

enter the United States under the NAFTA. AILA stated that such a change "would enhance alien consumer 

protection from unscrupulous consultants who might seek to take advantage of aliens under the new TN 

program." The Service will not adopt this suggestion because 8 CFR part 292 clearly applies to all of Title 8 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations, including professionals admitted pursuant to 8 CFR 214.6, who may represent 

persons in proceedings before the Service. The Service believes that the provisions at 8 CFR part 292 are fully 

adequate to protect aliens from the actions of any unscrupulous legal consultants without needing to restate 

them in 8 CFR 214.6. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, in accordance with the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this regulation and by approving it certifies that the rule will not 

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This certification is made in light of 

the fact that this regulation substantially retained the standards for the admission of Canadians formerly 

provided for under the CFTA and those set forth in the interim rule. Moreover, under this regulation, only 5,500 

petitions may initially be approved annually in behalf of citizens of Mexico seeking classification as TN 

professionals. Additionally, based on the Service's experience to date, it is anticipated that only a limited number 

of citizens of Mexico will seek classification as treaty traders and investors pursuant to this regulation. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 16 
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by 

the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small 

governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act of 1995. 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 

This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major 

increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 

innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies in 

domestic and export markets. 

Executive Order 12866 

This rule is not considered by the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, to be a 

"significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), Regulatory Planning and Review, and 

the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review process under section 6(a)(3)(A). 

Executive Order 12612 

The regulation adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 

between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 

various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 

Executive Order 12988 Civil Justice Reform 

This final rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b) of E.O. 12988. 

List of Subjects 

8 CFR Part 103 

Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations (Government agencies), Freedom of 

information, Privacy, Reporting and record keeping requirements, Surety bonds. 

8 CFR Part 212 

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration, Passports and visas, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements. 

8 CFR Part 214 

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, Foreign Officials, Health professions, 

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Students. 

8 CFR Part 235 

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 

8 CFR Part 274a 

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements. Accordingly, the interim rule amending 8 CFR parts 103, 212, 214, 235, 274a, which was 

published at 58 FR 69205-69219 on December 30, 1993, is adopted as a final rule with the following changes: 

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES 

1. The authority citation for part 214 continues to read as follows: 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 17 
Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282; 8 CFR part 2. 

2. Section 214.2 is amended by revising paragraph (e)(22), to read as follows: 

§ 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status. 

(e) * * * 

(22) Denial of treaty trader or treaty investor status to citizens of Canada or Mexico in the case of certain labor 

disputes. (i) A citizen of Canada or Mexico may be denied E treaty trader or treaty investor status as described 

in section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act and section B of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA if: 

(A) The Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or other labor dispute 

involving a work stoppage of workers in the alien's occupational classification is in progress at the place where 

the alien is or intends to be employed; and 

(B) Temporary entry of that alien may affect adversely either: 

(1) The settlement of any labor dispute that is in progress at the place or intended place of employment, or 

(2) The employment of any person who is involved in such dispute. 

(ii) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States and is participating in a strike or other 

labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or other labor dispute has been 

certified by the Secretary of Labor, or whether the Service has been otherwise informed that such a strike or 

labor dispute is in progress, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain his or her status solely on 

account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of 

workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions: 

(A) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and 

regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other E nonimmigrants; and 

(B) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of 

his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers. 

(iii) Although participation by an E nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work 

stoppage of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who 

remains in the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation. 

(iv) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or 

other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (e)(22)(i) of this section, or the Service has not otherwise 

been informed by the Secretary that such a strike or labor dispute is in progress, the Commissioner shall not 

deny entry to an applicant for E status. 

3. Section 214.6 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 214.6 Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to engage in business activities at a 

professional level. 

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, the terms: 

Business activities at a professional level means those undertakings which require that, for successful 

completion, the individual has a least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status as 

a professional in a profession set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 of the NAFTA. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 18 
Business person, as defined in the NAFTA, means a citizen of Canada or Mexico who is engaged in the trade of 

goods, the provision of services, or the conduct of investment activities. 

Engage in business activities at a professional level means the performance of prearranged business activities 

for a United States entity, including an individual. It does not authorize the establishment of a business or 

practice in the United States in which the professional will be, in substance, self-employed. A professional will 

be deemed to be self-employed if he or she will be rendering services to a corporation or entity of which the 

professional is the sole or controlling shareholder or owner. 

Temporary entry, as defined in the NAFTA, means entry without the intent to establish permanent residence. 

The alien must satisfy the inspecting immigration officer that the proposed stay is temporary. A temporary period 

has a reasonable, finite end that does not equate to permanent residence. In order to establish that the alien's 

entry will be temporary, the alien must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the inspecting immigration officer that 

his or her work assignment in the United States will end at a predictable time and that he or she will depart upon 

completion of the assignment. 

* * * * * 

August 13, 1997 Signed 

__________________ _______________________ 

Dated: Doris Meissner, 

Commissioner, Immigration 

and Naturalization Service. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 19 
58 FR 69205 

Department of Justice 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

8 CFR Parts 103, 212, 214, 235, and 274a

(INS No. 1611-93)

RIN 1115-AB72

Temporary Entry of Business Persons Under the North American Free Trade

Agreement (NAFTA)

Thursday, December 30, 1993

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY: This rule implements provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by

amending the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) regulations to establish procedures for the

temporary entry of Canadian and Mexican citizen business persons into the United States. This rule will facilitate

temporary entry on a reciprocal basis among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while recognizing the

continued need to ensure border security, and to protect indigenous labor and permanent employment in all

three countries.

DATES: The effective date is January 1, 1994. Written comments must be submitted on or before February 28,

1994.

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments, in triplicate, to the Records Systems Division, Director, Policy

Directives and Instructions Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW., room 5307,

Washington, DC 20536. To ensure proper handling, please reference INS number 1611-93 on your

correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jacquelyn A. Bednarz, Chief, Nonimmigrant Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW.,

room 7122, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-5014.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 17, 1992, the Presidents of the United States and Mexico

and the Prime Minister of Canada entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Implementation of this agreement has been provided for by the North American Free Trade Agreement

Implementation Act (NAFTA Implementation Act), Public Law 103-182. The NAFTA Implementation Act was

signed into law by the President of the United States on December 8, 1993. The NAFTA is currently set to enter

into force on January 1, 1994.

This rule pertains to Canadian and Mexican citizen temporary visitors for business seeking classification under

section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act), to Canadian and Mexican citizen treaty

traders and investors seeking classification under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act, to Canadian and Mexican

citizen temporary workers seeking classification under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act, and to Canadian and

Mexican citizens seeking classification for engagement in activities at a professional level under section 214(e)

of the Act, as amended by section 341(b) of the NAFTA Implementation Act.

This rule establishes procedures for the temporary entry of Canadian and Mexican citizen business persons as

provided in chapter 16 of the NAFTA and subtitle D of title III of the NAFTA Implementation Act. Chapter 16,

subtitle D of title III, and this rule reflect the special trading relationship now established between the United

States, Canada, and Mexico, and recognize the desirability of facilitating temporary entry on a reciprocal basis

and of establishing transparent criteria and procedures for such temporary entry. At the same time, full

recognition is given to the continued need to ensure border security while protecting the domestic labor force

and permanent employment in all three countries.

The immigration-related provisions of the NAFTA are similar to those contained within the United States-Canada

Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), which has been in force since January 1, 1989. The CFTA will be suspended

when the NAFTA enters into force. The NAFTA provisions relate to the same four nonimmigrant classifications

which were impacted by the CFTA: B-1, E, L-1, and Professional (previously designated TC for Canadian

citizens under CFTA and redesignated TN for Canadian and Mexican citizens under NAFTA).

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 20 
Section D of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA, however, permits the United States to establish a numerical limit with

respect to professionals from Mexico for a transition period of up to ten years. Under Appendix 1603.D.4 of the

NAFTA, beginning on the date of entry into force of the NAFTA, the numerical limit is set at 5,500 for such Trade

Professionals annually. The United States and Mexico may mutually agree to increase the numerical limit or

eliminate it entirely prior to the end of the ten year period.

Along with the numerical limit, citizens of Mexico who seek classification as a professional must do so on the

basis of a petition filed by a United States employer. Before the employer may file the petition, it will be required

to meet the labor attestation requirements of section 212(m) of the Act in the case of a registered nurse, and the

application requirement of section 212(n) of the Act in the case of all other professionals set out in Appendix

1603.D.1 of the NAFTA.

Additionally, Article 1603 of the NAFTA states that each party to the agreement may refuse to issue an

immigration document to a NAFTA business person where the temporary entry of that person may affect

adversely the settlement of any labor dispute in progress at the place or intended place of employment, or if

temporary entry would affect adversely the employment of any person involved in such dispute. The regulations

relating to classification and admission of citizens of Canada and Mexico in the E, L-1, and Professional

categories have been amended to reflect this provision. These provisions are designed to protect the domestic

labor force of each signatory country.

Specific changes to 8 CFR are as follows:

8 CFR 103.1(f)(2)

Paragraphs (f)(2)(X) and (f)(2)(xxiii) of §103.1 have been amended to include within the appellate jurisdiction of

the Associate Commissioner, Examinations, those petitions filed by United States employers in behalf of citizens

of Mexico seeking classification as professionals under Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA.

8 CFR 103.7(b)

Section 103.7(b) is amended to allow for the entry of citizens of Canada to engage in business activities at a

professional level pursuant to chapter 16 of the NAFTA, rather than pursuant to chapter 15 of the CFTA, which

will be suspended with entry into force of the NAFTA. The processing fee to be remitted upon entry remains

$50.00. It should be noted that no fee is to be remitted by a citizen of Canada who has been previously admitted

in TC status and is seeking readmission to the United States in TN status for the remainder of the period

authorized on Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record).

No fee is to be remitted by a citizen of Mexico who is entering to engage in business activities at a professional

level.

8 CFR 212.1(1)

Section B to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA provides for the temporary entry of Canadian and Mexican citizens as

treaty traders and investors. Section 341(a) of the NAFTA Implementation Act provides that such persons are

considered to be classifiable as a nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. (Canadians were

previously classifiable as treaty traders and investors under the CFTA.) Paragraph (1) is amended to replace the

reference to the CFTA with a reference to the NAFTA. The requirement that an alien seeking admission as a

treaty trader or investor be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa is maintained.

8 CFR 214.2(b)(1)

Section 214.2(b)(1) is amended to remove the language authorizing the admission in B-2 visitor status of the

dependents of Canadian citizens admitted as TC professionals under the CFTA. A separate nonimmigrant visa

classification has been established for the dependents of Professionals seeking entry under the NAFTA and has

been designated TD (Trade Dependent).

8 CFR 214.2(b)(4)

Section 214.2(b)(4) is amended to provide for the entry in B-1 nonimmigrant classification of citizens of Mexico

and Canada pursuant to Section A of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Additionally, Schedule 1 to Annex 1502.1 of

the CFTA is replaced with Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Appendix 1603.A.1 is a list of

business activities representative of a complete business cycle in which a B-1 business visitor seeking entry

under the NAFTA may engage. Appendix 1603.A.1 is not an exhaustive list. Nothing precludes a citizen of

Mexico or Canada from seeking entry to engage in traditional B-1 activities which are not included within

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 21 
Appendix 1603.A.1., provided they meet all requirements for entry in such status, including restrictions on

sources or remuneration.

Appendix 1603.A.1 as it is contained within paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section is almost identical with Schedule 1.

The language has been amended to include citizens of Mexico. It should be noted that, during the course of

negotiations relating to the NAFTA immigration provisions, Mexico decided not to be a Party to the language

involving temporary entry of customs brokers into the signatory countries. Therefore, Mexican citizen customs

brokers are not referenced in Appendix 1603.A.1 nor are they included in this regulatory amendment. A citizen

of Mexico is not, however, precluded from seeking entry into the United States in B-1 status to perform the

functions of a customs broker, provided that the individual meets all existing requirements for B-1 admission.

Also, specific reference to the allowable activities of tour bus operators has been included at paragraph

(b)(4)(i)(G)(6).

8 CFR 214.2(e)

A new paragraph (e)(3) sets in regulation the language regarding the denial of E treaty trader or investor

classification to a citizen of Canada or Mexico in the case of certain labor disputes. Article 1603(2) of the NAFTA

permits the United States to deny E classification where the temporary entry of the citizen of Canada or Mexico

may affect adversely the settlement of a labor dispute or the employment of a person involved in such a dispute.

A strike or other work stoppage of workers must be first certified to or otherwise be made known to the Attorney

General by the Secretary of Labor before a citizen of Canada or Mexico seeking E classification maybe denied

entry under this paragraph.

Regulations pertaining to the denial of issuance of E visas will be provided by the Department of State.

The Service is not, at this time, amending section 248 of this chapter relating to change of nonimmigrant

classification. Citizens of Canada and Mexico are, however, classifiable as treaty traders and investors under

the NAFTA and may, therefore, seek to change status to E-1 or E-2 classification while in the United States. If

such change of status is granted to a citizen of Canada or Mexico and he or she subsequently departs the

United States, he or she must obtain a valid E-1 or E-2 visa from a consular officer in order to seek reentry into

the United States in that status.

8 CFR 214.2(1)(17)

Paragraph (1)(17)(i) is revised to limit the ports of entry which will accept and adjudicate Form I-129 (Petition for

a Nonimmigrant Worker) filed in behalf of a Canadian citizen beneficiary seeking classification as an L-1

intracompany transferee. In order to provide more efficient service, it was decided to limit port adjudication of

Form I-129 to those ports of entry located along the U.S.-Canadian border and at pre-flight/pre-clearance

stations located in Canada. It is at these ports of entry where, since entry into force of the CFTA, the vast

majority of Forms I-129 have been filed, rather than at ports along the U.S.-Mexican border or at international

airports within the U.S. Also, most ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border have Free Trade Examiners on

staff who have expertise in the adjudication of such forms.

It was determined to be more beneficial to the public to concentrate such adjudication along the U.S.-Canadian

land border and at pre-flight stations within Canada. Those few individuals who would have filed a Form I-129 at

either a port of entry on the U.S.-Mexican border or at an international airport located within the U.S. may do so

with the Director of the appropriate Service Center.

8 CFR 212.2(1)(18)

A new paragraph (1)(18) has been added to provide for denial of L-1 classification for a citizen of Mexico or

Canada if there is a labor dispute in progress at the place of current or intended employment. If a strike or work

stoppage of workers has been certified by or otherwise made known by the Secretary of Labor to the Attorney

General, the Service may deny a petition for L-1 classification, suspend an approved petition, or deny entry to a

citizen of Canada or Mexico seeking L-1 classification at a port of entry.

A citizen of Canada or Mexico who has been admitted for employment in L-1 classification at a location where a

labor dispute has been certified by the Secretary of Labor shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain status

solely on account of participation in the strike or other labor dispute. Additionally, participation in a strike or work

stoppage does not extend or modify in any way the L-1's period of authorized stay in the United States.

8 CFR 214.6

Section 214.6 was added to 8 CFR when the CFTA entered into force on January 1, 1989 and provided for the

classification and admission of Canadian citizens seeking temporary entry to engage in business activities at a

professional level. The classification was designated TC (Trade Canada). Chapter Sixteen of the NAFTA allows

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 22 
citizens of Mexico to seek temporary entry to engage in business activities at a professional level as well as

citizens of Canada. The nonimmigrant classification has been redesignated TN (Trade NAFTA), and specific

requirements for citizens of Mexico have been set forth in this revision of §214.6. As with the CFTA, admission

as a TN under this section does not imply that the citizen of Canada or Mexico would otherwise qualify as a

professional under sections 101(a)(15)(H)(i) or 203(b)(3) of the Act.

Paragraph (a) is amended to replace the reference to the CFTA with reference to the NAFTA and include

citizens of Mexico among those business persons who can seek entry to engage in business activities at a

professional level.

Paragraph (b) contains definitions of terms used within §214.6. Definitions of the terms "business person",

"business activities at a professional level", and "temporary entry" were not substantively modified except to

replace references to the CFTA with the NAFTA. A new definition of the term "engage in business activities at a

professional level" has been included and does not allow for entry in TN status of those business persons who

are seeking entry to engage in self-employment. Such self-employment was never specifically addressed under

the regulations promulgated by the Service in response to the CFTA.

Annex 1603, Section B, establishes the appropriate category of temporary entry for a Party citizen seeking to

develop and direct investment operations in another Party country, while Annex 1603, Section D, provides for

the entry of a Party citizen seeking to render professional level services for an entity in another Party country. As

stated in the NAFTA Implementation Act Statement of Administrative Action at page 178, "Section D of Annex

1603 does not authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in the United States in which the

professional will be self-employed." Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking to engage in self-employment in trade

or investment activities in this country must seek classification under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act.

Paragraph (c) sets in regulation Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA which is a listing of

occupations agreed upon by the three signatory countries. Appendix 1603.D.1 replaces Schedule 2 to Annex

1502.1 of the CFTA at 8 CFR 214.6(d)(2)(ii). A baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree is the minimum

requirement for these professions unless an alternative credential is otherwise specified. In the case of a

Canadian or Mexican citizen whose occupation does not appear on Appendix 1603.D.1 or who does not meet

the transparent criteria specified, nothing precludes the filing of a petition for classification under another

existing nonimmigrant classification.

A footnote to Appendix 1603.D.1 allows for temporary entry to perform training functions relating to any of the

cited occupations or professions, including conducting seminars. However, these training functions must be

conducted in the manner of prearranged activities performed for a United States entity and the subject matter to

be proffered must be at a professional level. The training function does not allow for the entry of a business

person to conduct seminars which do not constitute the performance of prearranged activities for a United

States entity.

Paragraph (d) sets forth procedures for the classification of a citizen of Mexico as a TN professional under the

NAFTA. Paragraphs (4) and (5) of Annex 1603(D) and of the NAFTA permit the establishment of an annual

numerical limit on the number of persons seeking entry to engage in Appendix 1603.D.1 professions in the

United States, with consideration given to raising the limit each year thereafter. Appendix 1603.D.4 of Annex

1603 sets the limit for the first year following entry into force of the NAFTA at 5,500 initial petitions for citizens of

Mexico seeking TN classification.

Additionally, Annex 1603(D)(5) states that a Part, after establishing a numerical limit, may require the business

person subject to the numerical limit to comply with other procedures in place for the temporary entry of

professionals. It should be noted that, under Appendix 1604.D.4(3), the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of

Annex 1603(D) shall apply no longer than ten years after the date of entry into force of the NAFTA.

Paragraph (d)(1) requires the prospective United States employer of a Mexican citizen seeking classification as

a TN to file a petition on Form I-129 with the Northern Service Center. This is the only Service Center

designated by Headquarters Service Center Operations to accept Form I-129 filed on behalf of a citizen of

Mexico seeking such classification. This limitation on filing will allow for specialization at the Northern Service

Center and will improve adjudication efficiency.

Supporting documentation requirements are contained in paragraph (d)(2). Section 341(b)(5) of the NAFTA

Implementation Act provides that, while the numerical limit is in place for citizens of Mexico, entry of such

persons shall be subject to the attestation requirements of section 212(m) of the Act, in the case of a registered

nurse, or the application requirement of section 212(n) of the Act, in the case of all other professionals set out in

Appendix 1603.D.1 of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Therefore, Form I-129 shall be filed in conjunction with

evidence that the employer has filed with the Secretary of Labor either Form ETA 9029 in the case of a

registered nurse, or Form ETA 9035 in the case of all other Appendix 1603.D.1 professionals.

Additionally, the employer must submit evidence that the beneficiary meets the minimum education

requirements or alternative credentials requirements set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1. The regulation requires that

degrees, diplomas, or certificates received by the beneficiary from an educational institution located outside of

the United States, Canada, or Mexico must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 23 
evaluation service which specializes in such evaluations. Experiential evidence should be in the form of letters

from former employers. If the beneficiary was formerly self-employed, business records should be submitted

attesting to that self-employment.

Also, the petition must be accompanied by a separate statement from the United States employer specifically

stating the Appendix 1603.D.1 profession in which the beneficiary will be engaging and giving a detailed

description of the duties to be performed on a regular basis by the beneficiary. The Appendix 1603.D.1

profession is to be specifically set forth so that it may be noted for statistical purposes and to provide for more

accurate adjudication of the petition in light of the proposed job duties.

Evidence of appropriate licensure must accompany the petition if the beneficiary will be engaging in an

occupation or profession for which the particular state or locality has set forth licensing requirements.

The remainder of paragraph (d) contains Service procedural requirements relating to the approval, validity,

denial, revocation and appeal of a petition. A petition classifying a citizen of Mexico as a TN professional may be

approved for up to one year. Full appeal rights through the Administrative Appeals Unit are available to the

petitioner in the case of a petition denial.

Finally, paragraph (d) sets forth the procedures for maintenance of the annual numerical limitation of 5,500

petition approvals for citizens of Mexico seeking TN classification.

Paragraph (e) sets forth the procedures for the classification of a citizen of Canada as a TN professional under

the NAFTA. The requirements of this paragraph are substantially similar to those previously contained in §214.6

(c) and (d). References to the CFTA have been replaced with references to the NAFTA and the TC

nonimmigrant classification has been replaced by the TN classification.

The documentary requirements at paragraph (e)(3)(ii) have been revised to more clearly state what is required

to be included in the documentation provided to the TN applicant by the alien's United States employer or the

alien's foreign employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen who is seeking entry in TN status to provide

prearranged services to a United States entity. Specifically, the documentation must state the Appendix

1603.D.1 profession in which the applicant will be engaging and a description of his or her professional

activities, including a brief summary of the daily job duties to be performed. As with the Mexican TN, educational

credentials obtained outside of the United States, Canada, or Mexico shall be accompanied by an evaluation by

a qualified credentials evaluator. Also, if state or local licensing requirements are in place for the professional

activity in which the Canadian citizen will be engaging, evidence must be provided that those licensing

requirements have been met prior to application for admission.

Paragraph (f) sets forth the procedures for admission of Canadian and Mexican citizens in TN classification. The

Canadian citizen shall be required to remit the fee prescribed in 8 CFR 103.7 upon admission. That fee has

been $50.00 (U.S) since implementation of the CFTA and will not be raised at this time. The applicant will be

given a Service fee receipt and a Form I-94 showing admission in the classification TN for the period requested

up to one year. The Form I-94 shall bear the legend "multiple entry". (Additional requirements relating to

issuance of Form I-94 are contained in §235.1(f), discussed below.)

Citizens of Mexico seeking admission in TN classification are required to present a valid TN visa issued by a

United States consular officer. The maintenance of visa requirements by parties to the Agreement is authorized

in Annex 1603(D)(3) of the NAFTA. In addition to the visa requirement, the Mexican citizen shall present at the

time of application for initial admission a copy of the employer's statement described in this section at paragraph

(d)(2)(iii). Presentation of this statement is required to facilitate the inspection procedure.

An applicant for admission as a TN professional shall be treated as if seeking classification as a nonimmigrant

pursuant to section 101(a)(15) of the Act and, therefore, the presumption of immigrant intent applicable through

section 214(b) of the Act shall apply to that citizen of Canada or Mexico seeking such classification. At the time

of application for entry, the citizen of Canada or Mexico will be subject to inspection to determine the

applicability of section 214(b) of the Act to that applicant.

Paragraph (g) provides for the readmission to the United States of Canadian and Mexican citizens in TN status.

Readmission procedures for Canadian citizens have not been amended. The citizen of Mexico who is in

possession of a valid Form I-94 may be readmitted for the remainder of the time authorized provided that the

original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not changed and should retain possession of that

original Form I-94. If no longer in possession of a valid Form I-94 (e.g., a citizen of Mexico seeking readmission

upon return from a business trip to Europe), the citizen of Mexico may be readmitted upon presentation of a

valid TN visa and evidence of prior admission. That evidence of prior admission may include, but is not limited

to, a Service fee receipt from a prior entry or an admission stamp in the applicant's passport. Upon readmission,

a new I-94 shall be issued bearing the legend "multiple entry".

Paragraph (h) contains the procedures to be followed if the citizen of Mexico or Canada wishes to apply for an

extension of his or her stay in TN status. A citizen of Mexico seeking an extension of stay in the United States in

TN status shall be applied for on Form I-129 to the Northern Service Center. Documentary requirements include

evidence that Department of Labor certification requirements continue to be met by the employer. Provision is

included for consular notification should the applicant leave the United States during the pendency of the

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 24 
application. A petition extension and extension of the applicant's stay may be granted for up to one year.

A citizen of Canada may seek an extension of stay through the filing of Form I-129 to the Northern Service

Center. No Department of Labor certification requirements apply to a Canadian citizen in TN status who is

seeking to extend that status. Provision is made for port of entry notification should the applicant depart the

United States during the pendency of the application. An extension may be granted for up to one year.

Additionally, a citizen of Canada is not precluded from departing the United States and applying for admission

with documentation from a United States employer or foreign employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen who is

seeking to provide prearranged services at a profession level to a United States entity, which specifies that the

applicant will be employed in the United States for an additional period of time. The evidentiary requirements set

forth in paragraph (e)(3) shall be met by the applicant and the fee prescribed in 8 CFR 103.7 shall be remitted

upon admission.

At the present time, there is no specified upper limit on the number of years a citizen of Mexico or Canada may

remain in the United States in TN classification, as there is with most of the other nonimmigrant classes

contained within section 101(a)(15) of the Act. However, section 214(b) of the Act is applicable to citizens of

Canada or Mexico who seek an extension of stay in TN status and applications for extension or readmission

must be examined in light of this statutory provision.

Paragraph (i) allows the Canadian or Mexican citizen to change or add employers while in the United States

through the filing of a Form I-129 to the Northern Service Center. Also, the Canadian citizen may depart the

United States and apply for reentry for the purpose of obtaining additional employment authorization with a new

or an additional employer. Documentary requirements are prescribed in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) and the prescribed

fee must be remitted upon admission.

Paragraph (j) provides for the admission of spouses and minor children who are accompanying or following to

join TN professionals. They are to be accorded admission in TD (Trade Dependent) classification and are

required to present a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa unless otherwise exempt under 8 CFR 212.1. For

purposes of clarification, those persons who are normally exempt from nonimmigrant visa requirements include

citizens of Canada and residents (Landed Immigrants) of Canada having a common nationality with Canadian

citizens (British Commonwealth citizens).

No fee is required for the admission of dependents in TD status and they are to be issued a Form I-94 bearing

the legend "multiple entry". Spouses and minor children are not authorized to accept employment while they are

in the United States in TD status. If a TD dependent wishes to be employed, he or she must independently seek

change of status to an employment-authorized nonimmigrant classification. Dependents in TD status may attend

school in the United States on a full-time basis, as such attendance is deemed to be incidental to their purpose

for being in the United States, which is to accompany the TN alien.

Paragraph (k) provides for denial of TN classification of a citizen of Canada or Mexico if there is a labor dispute

in progress at the place of current or intended employment. This provision is substantively identical to that which

is applicable to the Canadian or Mexican L-1 applicant cited at 8 CFR 214.2(1)(18) and discussed above.

Paragraph (l) provides for automatic conversion from TC to TN classification for Canadian citizen professionals

in TC classification as of January 1, 1994, as well as automatic conversion from B-2 to TD classification for the

spouses and unmarried minor children of such TC nonimmigrants as of the effective date of the NAFTA

Implementation Act. In addition, beginning on January 1, 1994, TC principal aliens and their B-2 spouses and

unmarried minor children will be readmitted in TN or TD classification respectively, without being required to

submit additional paperwork or payment of the normal application fee for the remainder of the period authorized

on their Form I-94. TC or B-2 spouses and minor children seeking to extend their stay beyond this period are

required to comply with the normal filing requirements of paragraph (h), including submission of appropriate

paperwork and the prescribed application fee. This paragraph also provides that any applications for extension

of stay in TC or B-2 classification as the spouse of a TC nonimmigrant which are pending on January 1, 1994

will be treated as if they were for TN or TD classification respectively.

Paragraph (l) specifically makes unavailable these transitional benefits to Canadian professionals who were

admitted in TC classification in order to engage in self-employment in a business or practice in this country, and

to their B-2 spouses and/or children. Although such self-employment was never specifically addressed in the

regulations promulgated by the Service in response to the CFTA, the NAFTA Implementation Act Statement of

Administrative Action at page 178 clarifies that, "It should be noted that while there are many similarities

between this NAFTA category and the categories relating to professionals set out in INA section 101(a)(15), a

determination of admissibility under the NAFTA neither forecloses nor establishes eligibility for entry under such

other categories. Further, Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a professional to establish a business or

practice in the United States in which the professional will be self-employed." Consistent with the intent of the

signatories of the CFTA and NAFTA, the interim regulation specifically precludes readmitting Canadian

professionals who were previously admitted in TC classification from engaging in self-employment and from

extending their stay in TC or TN (or in the case of spouses and/or children, B- 2 or TD) nonimmigrant

classification. Canadian citizens seeking to engage in trade or investment activities in this country under the

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 25 
NAFTA Implementation Act must do so pursuant to section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. 

235.1(d) 

A new paragraph (d)(8) has been added to provide for the denial of entry in E, L-1, or TN status of any citizen of

Canada if the Secretary of Labor has certified to or otherwise informed the Commissioner that a strike or work

stoppage of workers is occurring at the place of current or intended employment and the temporary entry of the

applicant would affect adversely either settlement of the labor dispute or the employment of any person involved

in the dispute. Additionally, the paragraph requires notification in writing to the applicant of the reason(s) for the

refusal. Also, a designated representative of the applicant's home country government must be promptly notified

in writing of the reasons for the refusal.

Additional instructions will be forthcoming from the Service regarding the appropriate methods and channels for

notification of Party governments.

8 CFR 235.1(f)

Paragraph (f)(1) has been amended to include specific requirements regarding the completion of Form I-94

issued to a citizen of Canada or Mexico in TN status. Specifically, item 18 on the reverse of Form I-94 must be

completed and the occupation stated must be contained within Appendix 1603.D.1 of Annex 1603 of the

NAFTA. This requirement reflects the need to collect and maintain accurate statistics for reporting purposes to

both the United States Congress and signatory governments.

Also, the name of the TN nonimmigrant's employer must be endorsed on both the Arrival and Departure portions

of Form I-94 in order to comport with the requirements of section 274A of the Act.

8 CFR 274a.12(b) (19) and (20)

Paragraph (b)(19) is amended to include citizens of Mexico and Canada engaged in business activities at a

professional level pursuant to Chapter 16 or the NAFTA to the classes of aliens authorized employment with a

specific employer incident to status. Paragraph (b)(20) is amended to provide employment authorization to a

citizen of Canada or Mexico in TN status in whose behalf an application for extension of stay has been timely

filed.

The Service's implementation of this rule as an interim rule, with provisions for post-promulgation public

comment, is based upon the "good cause" exceptions found at 5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(B) and (d)(3). The reasons and

the necessity for immediate implementation of this interim rule without prior notice and comment are as follows:

The NAFTA Implementation Act was signed by the President on December 8, 1993 and the NAFTA goes into

force on January 1, 1994. There is a clear necessity for immediate implementation of this provision so that the

admission to the United States of Canadian and Mexican citizen business persons pursuant to Chapter 16 of the

NAFTA may be facilitated by this Service on the date of entry into force of the Agreement. Under these

circumstances, providing a notice and comment period in advance of publication of this interim rule would have

been impracticable and contrary to Congressional intent. It is imperative that this interim rule become effective

on January 1, 1994 so that those persons who are entitled to the benefits of the NAFTA Implementation Act may

apply accordingly.

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service certifies

that this rule will not have a significant adverse economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This

certification is made in light of the fact that the regulation substantially retains current standards for the

admission of Canadians formerly provided for under the CFTA, and that, under this regulation, only 5,500

petitions may initially be approved annually in behalf of citizens of Mexico seeking classification as TN

professionals. Additionally, it is anticipated that only a limited number of citizens of Mexico will seek

classification as treaty traders and investors pursuant to this regulation. For the same reasons, this is not

considered a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. Further, this rule does not have

Federalism implications warranting the preparation of a Federal Assessment in accordance with Executive

Order 12612.

The information collection requirements contained in this rule have been cleared by the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and are cited under 8 CFR 299.5, Display

of Control Numbers.

The additional instructions for Form I-129 are printed at the end of this regulation.

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 103

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 26 
Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations (Government agencies), Freedom of information,

Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds.

8 CFR Part 212

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration, Passports and visas, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

8 CFR Part 214

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements, Students.

8 CFR Part 235

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

8 CFR Part 274a

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

Accordingly, chapter I of title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 103--POWERS AND DUTIES OF SERVICE OFFICERS; AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE RECORDS

1. The authority citation for part 103 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552, 552(a); 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1201, 1252 note, 1252b, 1304, 1356; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 

E.O. 12356, 47 FR 14874, 15557, 3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 166; 8 CFR part 2. 

2. In §103.1, paragraph (f)(2) (x) and (xxiii) are revised to read as follows: 

§103.1 Delegations of authority.

* * * * *

(f) * * *

(2) * * *

(x) Petitions for temporary workers or trainees and fiancées or fiancés of U.S. citizens under §§214.2 and 214.6

of this chapter;

* * * * *

(xxiii) Revoking approval of certain petitions, as provided in §§214.2 and 214.6 of this chapter;

* * * * *

3. In §103.7, paragraph (b)(1) is amended by revising the entry "Request", the third time it is listed, to read as 

follows: 

§103.7 Fees.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(1) * * *

Request. For classification of a citizen of Canada to be engaged in business activities at a professional level

pursuant to section 214(e) of the Act (Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade Agreement)--$50.00

* * * * *

PART 212--DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: NONIMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS; ADMISSION OF CERTAIN

INADMISSIBLE ALIENS; PAROLE

4. The authority citation for part 212 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1225, 1226, 1228, 1252; 8 CFR part 2.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 27 
5. In §212.1, paragraph (1) is revised to read as follows: 

§212.1 Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants. 

* * * * *

(1) Treaty traders and investors. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this part, an alien seeking admission

as a treaty trader or investor under the provisions of Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade Agreement

(NAFTA) pursuant to section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act, shall be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa issued by

an American consular officer classifying the alien under that section.

* * * * *

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES

6. The authority citation for part 214 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282; 8 CFR part 2. 

7. Section 214.2 is amended by: 

a. Revising paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(4); 

b. Adding a new paragraph (e)(3); 

c. Revising paragraph (l)(17) heading; 

d. Revising paragraph (l)(17)(i); and by 

e. Adding a new paragraph (l)(18), to read as follows: 

§214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance status.

* * * * *

(b) Visitors--(1) General. any B-1 visitor for business or B-2 visitor for pleasure may be admitted for not more

than one year and may be granted extensions of temporary stay in increments of not more than six months

each, except that alien members of a religious denomination coming temporarily and solely to do missionary

work in behalf of a religious denomination may be granted extensions of not more than one year each, provided

that such work does not involve the selling of articles or the solicitation or acceptance of donations. Those B-1

and B-2 visitors admitted pursuant to the waiver provided at §212.1(e) of this chapter may be admitted to and

stay on Guam for period not to exceed fifteen days and are not eligible for extensions of stay.

* * * * *

(4) Admission of aliens pursuant to the North American Fee Trade Agreement (NAFTA). A citizen of Canada or

Mexico seeking temporary entry for purposes set forth in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section, who otherwise

meets existing requirements under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act, including but not limited to requirements

regarding the source of remuneration, shall be admitted upon presentation of proof of such citizenship in the

case of Canadian applicants, and valid entry documents such as a passport and visa or Mexican Border

Crossing Card (Form I-186 or I-586) in the case of Mexican applicants, a description of the purpose of entry,

and evidence demonstrating that he or she is engaged in one of the occupations or professions set forth in

paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section. Existing requirements, with respect to Canada, are those requirements which

were in effect at the time of entry into force of the CFTA and, with respect to Mexico, are those requirements

which are in effect at the time of entry into force of the NAFTA. Additionally, nothing shall preclude the

admission of a citizen of Mexico or Canada who meets the requirements of paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section.

(i) Occupations and professions set forth in Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA.--(A) Research and

design. Technical scientific and statistical researchers conducting independent research or research for an

enterprise located in the territory of another Party.

(B) Growth, manufacture and production (1) Harvester owner supervising a harvesting crew admitted under

applicable law. (Applies only to harvesting of agricultural crops: Grain, fiber, fruit and vegetables.)

(2) Purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions for an enterprise

located in the territory of another Party.

(C) Marketing. (1) Market researchers and analyst conducting independent research or analysis, or research or

analysis for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party.

(2) Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention.

(D) Sales. (1) Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for

an enterprise located in the territory of another Party but not delivering goods or providing services.

(2) Buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party.

(E) Distribution. (1) Transportation operators transporting goods or passengers to the United States from the

territory of another Party or loading and transporting goods or passengers from the United States to the territory

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 28 
of another Party, with no unloading in the United States, to the territory of another Party. (These operators may

make deliveries in the United States if all goods or passengers to be delivered were loaded in the territory of

another Party. Furthermore, they may load from locations in the United States if all goods or passengers to be

loaded will be delivered in the territory of another Party. Purely domestic service or solicitation, in competition

with the United States operators, is not permitted.)

(2) Customs brokers performing brokerage duties associated with the export of goods from the United States to

or through Canada.

(F) After-sales service. Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing specialized

knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform

services, pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial

equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside the United

States, during the life of the warranty or service agreement. (For the purposes of this provision, the commercial

or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, must have been manufactured outside the

United States.)

(G) General service. (1) Professionals engaging in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set

out in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA, but receiving no salary or other remuneration from a

United States source (other than an expense allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to the

temporary stay) and otherwise satisfying the requirements of Section A to Annex 1063 of the NAFTA.

(2) Management and supervisory personnel engaging in commercial transactions for an enterprise located in the

territory of another Party.

(3) Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaging in commercial transactions

for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party.

(4) Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or participating

in conventions.

(5) Tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators) attending or participating in

conventions or conducting a tour that has begun in the territory of another Party. (The tour may begin in the

United States; but must terminate in foreign territory, and a significant portion of the tour must be conducted in

foreign territory. In such a case, an operator may enter the United States with an empty conveyance and a tour

guide may enter on his or her own and join the conveyance.)

(6) Tour bus operators entering the United States:

(i) With a group of passengers on a bus tour that has begun in, and will return to, the territory of another Party.

(ii) To meet a group of passengers on a bus tour that will end, and the predominant portion of which will take

place, in the territory of another Party.

(iii) With a group of passengers on a bus tour to be unloaded in the United States and returning with no

passengers or reloading with the group for transportation to the territory of another Party.

(7) Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the territory of

another Party.

(ii) Occupations and professions not listed in Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Nothing in this

paragraph shall preclude a business person engaged in an occupation or profession other than those listed in

Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA from temporary entry under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act, if

such person otherwise meets the existing requirements for admission as prescribed by the Attorney General.

* * * * *

(e) * * *

(3) Denial of treaty trader or investor status to citizens of Canada or Mexico in the case of certain labor disputes.

A citizen of Canada or Mexico may be denied E treaty trader or investor status as described in section

101(a)(15)(E) of the Act and section B of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA if:

(i) The Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or other labor dispute

involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress at the place where the alien is or intends to be employed;

and

(ii) Temporary entry of that alien may affect adversely either:

(A) The settlement of any labor dispute that is in progress at the place or intended place of employment, or

(B) The employment of any person who is involved in such dispute.

* * * * *

(1) * * *

(17) Filing of individual petitions and certifications under blanket petitions for citizens of Canada under the North

American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (i) Individual petitions. Except as provided in paragraph (1)(2)(ii) of

this section (filing of blanket petitions), a United States or foreign employer seeking to classify a citizen of

Canada as an intracompany transferee may file an individual petition in duplicate on Form I-129 in conjunction

with an application for admission of the citizen of Canada. Such filing may be made with an immigration officer

at a Class A port of entry located on the United States-Canada land border or at a United States preHQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 29 
clearance/pre-flight station in Canada. The petitioning employer need not appear, but Form I-129 must bear the

authorized signature of the petitioner.

* * * * *

(18) Denial of intracompany transferee status to citizens of Canada or Mexico in the case of certain labor

disputes. (i) If the Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or other

labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress where the beneficiary is to be employed, and

the temporary entry of the beneficiary may affect adversely the settlement of such labor dispute or the

employment of any person who is involved in such dispute, a petition to classify a citizen of Mexico or Canada

as an L-1 intracompany transferee may be denied. If a petition has already been approved, but the alien has not

yet entered the United States, or has entered the United States but not yet commenced employment, the

approval of the petition may be suspended, and an application for admission on the basis of the petition may be

denied.

(ii) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or

other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (l)(18)(i) of this section, or the Service has not otherwise

been informed by the Secretary that such a strike or labor dispute is in progress, the Commissioner shall not

deny a petition or suspend an approved petition.

(iii) If the alien has already commended employment in the United States under an approved petition and is

participating in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or

other labor dispute has been certified by the Department of Labor, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to

maintain his or her status solely on account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor

dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions.

(A) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and

regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other L nonimmigrants;

(B) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of

his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving work stoppage of workers; and

(C) Although participation by an L nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage

of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who remains in

the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation.

* * * * *

8. Section 214.6 is revised to read as follows: 

§214.6 Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to engage in business activities at a

professional level.

(a) General. Under section 214(e) of the Act, a citizen of Canada or Mexico who seeks temporary entry as a

business person to engage in business activities at a professional level may be admitted to the United States in

accordance with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

(b) Definitions. As used in this section the terms:

Business activities at a professional level means those undertakings which require that, for successful

completion, the individual has at least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status

as a professional.

Business person, as defined in the NAFTA, means a citizen of Canada or Mexico who is engaged in the trade of

goods, the provision of services, or the conduct of investment activities.

Engage in business activities at a professional level means the performance of prearranged business activities

for a United States entity, including an individual. It does not authorize the establishment of a business or

practice in the United States in which the professional will be self-employed.

Temporary entry, as defined in the NAFTA, means entry without the intent to establish permanent residence.

(c) Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Pursuant to the NAFTA, an applicant seeking admission

under this section shall demonstrate business activity at a professional level in one of the professions set forth in

Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603. The professions in Appendix 1603.D.1 and the minimum requirements for

qualification for each are as follows: [FN1]

Appendix 1603.D.1 (Annotated)

--Accountant--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A.

FN1 A business person seeking temporary employment under this Appendix may also perform training functions

relating to the profession, including conducting seminars.

--Architect--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license. [FN2]

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 30 
FN2 The terms "state/provincial license" and "state/provincial/federal license" mean any document issued by a

state, provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not by a local

government, that permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession.

--Computer Systems Analyst--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post- Secondary Diploma [FN3] or Post

Secondary Certificate [FN4] and three years' experience.

FN3 "Post Secondary Diploma" means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post

secondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States.

FN4 "Post Secondary Certificate" means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post

secondary education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in

Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an academic

institution created by federal or state law.

--Disaster relief insurance claims adjuster (claims adjuster employed by an insurance company located in the

territory of a Party, or an independent claims adjuster)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree and successful

completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or

three years experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of

insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims.

--Economist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Engineer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.

--Forester--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.

--Graphic Designer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary

Certificate and three years experience.

--Hotel Manager--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or Post-Secondary

Diploma or Post Secondary Certificate in hotel/restaurant management and three years experience in

hotel/restaurant management.

--Industrial Designer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post Secondary

Certificate, and three years experience.

--Interior Designer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or Post- Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary

Certificate, and three years experience.

--Land Surveyor--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or state/provincial/federal license.

--Landscape Architect--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Lawyer (including Notary in the province of Quebec)--L.L.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura degree (five

years); or membership in a state/provincial bar.

--Librarian--M.L.S., or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite).

--Management Consultant--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional experience as

established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years experience as a management

consultant, or five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement.

--Mathematician (including Statistician)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Range Manager/Range Conservationist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)-- Baccalaureate or Licenciatura

Degree.

Scientific Technician/Technologist [FN5]--Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following

disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics,

meteorology, or physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to

apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research.

FN5 A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry for work in direct support of

professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics,

meteorology or physics.

--Social Worker--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Technical Publications Writer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, or Post- Secondary Diploma or PostSecondary Certificate, and three years experience.

--Urban Planner (including Geographer)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Vocational Counselor--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

Medical/Allied Professionals

--Dentist--D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental or state/provincial license.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 31 
--Dietitian--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.

--Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States) [FN6]--

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three

years experience.

FN6 A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical,

biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis,

treatment, or prevention of diseases.

--Nutritionist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Occupational Therapist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.

--Pharmacist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.

--Physician (teaching or research only)--M.D. Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial license.

--Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.

--Psychologist--state/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree.

--Recreational Therapist-Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Registered nurse--state/provincial license or Licenciatura Degree.

--Veterinarian--D.V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license.

--SCIENTIST

--Agriculturist (including Agronomist)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Animal Breeder--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Animal Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Apiculturist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Astronomer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Biochemist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Biologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Chemist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Dairy Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Entomologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Epidemiologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Geneticist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Geochemist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Geologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and the United States)-- Baccalaureate or Licenciatura

Degree.

--Horticulturist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Meteorologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Pharmacologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Plant Breeder--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Poultry Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Soil Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Zoologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--TEACHER

--College--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--Seminary--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

--University--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

(d) Classification of citizens of Mexico as TN professionals under the NAFTA-- (1) General. A United States

employer seeking to classify a citizen of Mexico as a TN professional temporary employee shall file a petition on

Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the Northern Service Center, even in emergent

circumstances. The petitioner may submit a legible photocopy of a document in support of the visa petition in

lieu of the original document. The original document shall be submitted if requested by the Service.

(2) Supporting documents. A petition in behalf of a citizen of Mexico seeking classification as a TN professional

shall be accompanied by:

(i) A certification from the Secretary of Labor that the petitioner has filed the appropriate documentation with the

Secretary in accordance with section (D)(5)(b) of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA.

(ii) Evidence that the beneficiary meets the minimum education requirements or alternative credentials

requirements of Appendix 1603.D.1 of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA as set forth in §214.6(c). This documentation

may consist of licenses, degrees, diplomas, certificates, or evidence of membership in professional

organizations. Degrees, diplomas, or certificates received by the beneficiary from an educational institution not

located within Mexico, Canada, or the United States must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 32 
credentials evaluation service which specializes in evaluating foreign educational credentials. Evidence of

experience should consist of letters from former employers or, if formerly self-employed, business records

attesting to such self-employment; and

(iii) A statement from the prospective employer in the United States specifically stating the Appendix 1603.D.1

profession in which the beneficiary will be engaging and a full description of the nature of the duties which the

beneficiary will be performing. The statement must set forth licensure requirements for the state or locality of

intended employment or, if no license is required, the non-existence of such requirements for the professional

activity to be engaged in.

(iv) Licensure for TN classification--(A) General. If the profession requires a state or local license for an

individual to fully perform the duties of that profession, the beneficiary for whom TN classification is sought must

have that license prior to approval of the petition and evidence of such licensing must accompany the petition.

(B) Temporary licensure. If a temporary license is available and the beneficiary would be allowed to perform the

duties of the profession without a permanent license, the director shall examine the nature of the duties, the

level at which the duties are performed, the degree of supervision received, and any limitations which would be

placed upon the beneficiary. If an analysis of the facts demonstrates that the beneficiary, although under

supervision, would be fully authorized to perform the duties of the profession, TN classification may be granted.

(C) Duties without licensure. In certain professions which generally require licensure, a state may allow an

individual to fully practice a profession under the supervision of licensed senior or supervisory personnel in that

profession. In such cases, the director shall examine the nature of the duties and the level at which they are to

be performed. If the facts demonstrate that the beneficiary, although under supervision, would fully perform the

duties of the profession, TN classification may be granted.

(D) Registered nurses. The prospective employer must submit evidence that the beneficiary has been granted a

permanent state license, a temporary state license or other temporary authorization issued by a State Board of

Nursing authorizing the beneficiary to work as a registered or graduate nurse in the state of intended

employment in the United States.

(3) Approval and validity of petition-- (i) Approval. The director shall notify the petitioner of the approval of the

petition on Form I-797, Notice of Action. The approval notice shall include the beneficiary's name, classification,

Appendix 1603.D.1 profession, and the petition's period of validity.

(ii) Recording the validity of petitions. Procedures for recording the validity period of petitions are:

(A) If the petition is approved before the date the petitioner indicates that employment will begin, the approved

petition and approval notice shall show the actual dates requested by the petitioner as the validity period, not to

exceed the limits specified by paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section.

(B) If the petition is approved after the date the petitioner indicates employment will begin, the approved petition

and approval notice shall show a validity period commencing with the date of approval and ending with the date

requested by the petitioner, as long as that date does not exceed the limits specified by paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of

this section.

(C) If the period of employment requested by the petitioner exceeds the limit specified in paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of

this section, the petition shall be approved only up to the limit specified in that paragraph.

(iii) Validity. An approved petition classifying a citizen of Mexico as a TN nonimmigrant shall be valid for a period

of up to one year.

(4) Denial of petition--(i) Notice of intent to deny. When an adverse decision is proposed on the basis of

derogatory information of which the petitioner is unaware, the director shall notify the petitioner of the intent to

deny the petition and the basis for the denial. The petitioner may inspect and rebut the evidence and will be

granted a period of thirty days in which to do so. All relevant rebuttal material will be considered in making a final

decision.

(ii) Notice of denial. The petitioner shall be notified of the decision, the reasons for the denial, and the right to

appeal the denial under part 103 of this chapter.

(5) Revocation of approval of petition--(i) General. (A) The petitioner shall immediately notify the Service of any

changes in the terms and conditions of employment of a beneficiary which may effect eligibility under section

214(e) of the Act or §214.6. An amended petition should be filed when the petitioner continues to employ the

beneficiary. If the petitioner no longer employs the beneficiary, the petitioner shall send a letter explaining the

change(s) to the director who approved the petition.

(B) The director may revoke a petition at any time, even after the validity of the petition has expired.

(ii) Automatic revocation. The approval of an unexpired petition is automatically revoked if the petitioner goes

out of business, files a written withdrawal of the petition, or notifies the Service that the beneficiary is no longer

employed by the petitioner.

(iii) Revocation on notice--(A) Grounds for revocation. The director shall send to the petitioner a notice of intent

to revoke the petition in relevant part if he or she finds that:

(1) The beneficiary is no longer employed by the petitioner in the capacity specified in the petition;

(2) The statement of facts contained in the petition were not true and correct;

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 33 
(3) The petitioner violated the terms or conditions of the approved petition;

(4) The petitioner violated requirements of section 214(e) of the Act or § 214.6; or

(5) The approval of the petition violated §214.6 or involved gross error.

(B) Notice and decision. The notice of intent to revoke shall contain a detailed statement of the grounds for the

revocation and the time period allowed for the petitioner's rebuttal. The petitioner may submit evidence in

rebuttal within thirty days of the date of the notice. The director shall consider all relevant evidence presented in

deciding whether to revoke the petition.

(6) Appeal of a denial or revocation of a petition--(i) Denial. A denied petition may be appealed under part 103 of

this chapter.

(ii) Revocation. A petition that has been revoked on notice may be appealed under part 103 of this chapter.

Automatic revocations may not be appealed.

(7) Numerical limit--(i) Limit on number of petitions to be approved in behalf of citizens of Mexico. Beginning on

the date of entry into force of the NAFTA, not more than 5,500 citizens of Mexico can be classified as TN

nonimmigrants annually.

(ii) Procedures. (A) Each citizen of Mexico issued a visa or otherwise provided TN nonimmigrant status under

section 214(e) of the Act shall be counted for purposes of the numerical limit. Requests for petition extension or

extension of the alien's stay and submissions of amended petitions shall not be counted for purposes of the

numerical limit. The spouse and children of principal aliens classified as TD nonimmigrants shall not be counted

against the numerical limit.

(B) Numbers will be assigned temporarily to each Mexican citizen in whose behalf a petition for TN classification

has been filed. If a petition is denied, the number originally assigned to the petition shall be returned to the

system which maintains and assigns numbers.

(C) When an approved petition is not used because the beneficiary does not apply for admission to the United

States, the petitioner shall notify the service center director who approved the petition that the number has not

been used. The petition shall be revoked pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(ii) of this section and the unused number

shall be returned to the system which maintains and assigns numbers.

(D) If the total annual limit has been reached prior to the end of the year, new petitions and the accompanying

fee shall be rejected and returned with a notice stating that numbers are unavailable for Mexican citizen TN

nonimmigrants and the date when numbers will again become available.

(e) Classification of citizens of Canada as TN professionals under the NAFTA-- (1) General. Under section

214(e) of the Act, a citizen of Canada who seeks temporary entry as a business person to engage in business

activities at a professional level may be admitted to the United States in accordance with the NAFTA.

(2) Application for admission. A citizen of Canada seeking admission under this section shall make application

for admission with an immigration officer at a United States Class A port of entry, at a United States airport

handling international traffic, or at a United States pre-clearance/pre-flight station. No prior petition, labor

certification, or prior approval shall be required.

(3) Evidence. A visa shall not be required of a Canadian citizen seeking admission as a TN nonimmigrant under

section 214(e) of the Act. Upon application for admission at a United States port of entry, an applicant under this

section shall present the following:

(i) Proof of Canadian citizenship. Unless travelling from outside the Western hemisphere, no passport shall be

required; however, an applicant for admission must establish Canadian citizenship.

(ii) Documentation demonstrating engagement in business activities at a professional level and demonstrating

professional qualifications. The applicant must present documentation sufficient to satisfy the immigration officer

at the time of application for admission, that the applicant is seeking entry to the United States to engage in

business activities for a United States employer(s) or entity(ies) at a professional level, and that the applicant

meets the criteria to perform at such a professional level. This documentation may be in the form of a letter from

the prospective employer(s) in the United States or from the foreign employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen

seeking entry to provide prearranged services to a United States entity, and may be required to be supported by

licenses, diplomas, degrees, certificates, or membership in a professional organization. Degrees, diplomas, or

certificates received by the applicant from an educational institution not located within Canada, Mexico, or the

United States must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation service which

specializes in evaluating foreign educational credentials. The documentation shall fully affirm:

(A) The Appendix 1603.D.1 profession of the applicant;

(B) A description of the professional activities, including a brief summary of daily job duties, if appropriate, which

the applicant will engage in for the United States employer/entity;

(C) The anticipated length of stay;

(D) The educational qualifications or appropriate credentials which demonstrate that the Canadian citizen has

professional level status;

(E) The arrangements for remuneration for services to be rendered; and

(F) If required by state or local law, that the Canadian citizen complies with all applicable laws and/or licensing

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 34 
requirements for the professional activity in which they will be engaged.

(f) Procedures for admission--(1) Canadian citizens. A Canadian citizen who qualifies for admission under this

section shall be provided confirming documentation (Service Form I-94) and shall be admitted under the

classification symbol TN for a period not to exceed one year. Form I-94 shall bear the legend "multiple entry".

The fee prescribed under §103.7(b) of this chapter shall be remitted upon admission to the United States

pursuant to the terms and conditions of the NAFTA. Upon remittance of the prescribed fee, the Canadian citizen

applicant shall be provided a Service receipt (Form G-211, Form G-711, or Form I-797).

(2) Mexican citizens. The Mexican citizen beneficiary of an approved Form I-129 granting classification as a TN

professional shall be admitted to the United States for the validity period of the approved petition upon

presentation of a valid TN visa issued by a United States consular officer and a copy of the United States

employer's statement as described in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section. The Mexican citizen shall be provided

Form I-94 bearing the legend "multiple entry".

(g) Readmission--(1) Canadian citizens. A Canadian citizen in this classification may be readmitted to the United

States for the remainder of the period authorized on Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or supporting

documentation described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, and without remittance of the prescribed fee,

provided that the original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not changed. If the Canadian

citizen seeking readmission to the United States is no longer in possession of a valid, unexpired Form I-94, and

the period of initial admission has not lapsed, he or she shall present alternate evidence in order to be

readmitted in TN status. This alternate evidence may include, but is not limited to, a Service fee receipt for

admission as a TN or a previously issued admission stamp as TN in a passport, and a confirming letter from the

United States employer(s). A new Form I-94 shall be issued at the time of readmission bearing the legend

"multiple entry".

(2) Mexican citizens. A Mexican citizen in this classification may be readmitted for the remainder of the period of

time authorized on Form I-94 provided that the original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not

changed. If the Mexican citizen seeking readmission to the United States is no longer in possession of a valid,

unexpired Form I-94, he or she may be readmitted upon presentation of a valid TN visa and evidence of a

previous admission. A new Form I-94 shall be issued at the time of readmission bearing the legend "multiple

entry".

(h) Extension of stay--(1) Mexican citizen. The United States employer shall apply for extension of the Mexican

citizen's stay in the United States by filing Form I-129 with the Northern Service Center. The applicant must also

request a petition extension. The request for extension must be accompanied by either a new or a photocopy of

the prior certification on Form ETA 9029, in the case of a registered nurse, or Form ETA 9035, in all other

cases, that the petitioner continues to have on file with the Department of Labor for the period of time requested.

The dates of extension shall be the same for the petition and the beneficiary's extension of stay. The beneficiary

must be physically present in the United States at the time of the filing of the extension of stay. Even though the

requests to extend the petition and the alien's stay are combined on the petition, the director shall make a

separate determination on each. If the citizen of Mexico is required to leave the United States for business or

personal reasons during the pendency of the extension request, the petitioner may request the director to cable

notification of the approval of the petition to the consular office abroad where the beneficiary will apply for a visa.

An extension of stay may be authorized for up to one year. There is no specific limit on the total period of time a

citizen of Mexico may remain in TN status.

(2) Canadian citizen--(i) Filing at the service center. The United States employer of a Canadian citizen in TN

status or United States entity, in the case of a Canadian citizen in TN status who has a foreign employer, may

request an extension of stay by filing Form I-129 with the prescribed fee, with the Northern Service Center. The

beneficiary must be physically present in the United States at the time of the filing of the extension of stay. If the

alien is required to leave the United States for business or personal reasons while the extension request is

pending, the petitioner may request the director to cable notification of approval of the application to the port of

entry where the Canadian citizen will apply for admission to the United States. An extension of stay may be

authorized for up to one year. There is no specific limit on the total period of time a citizen of Canada may

remain in TN status.

(ii) Readmission at the border. Nothing in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this section shall preclude a citizen of Canada

who has previously been in the United States in TN status from applying for admission for a period of time which

extends beyond the date of his or her original term of admission at any United States port of entry. The

application for admission shall be supported by a new letter from the United States employer or the foreign

employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen who is providing prearranged services to a United States entity,

which meets the requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section. The fee prescribed under §103.7(b) of this

chapter shall be remitted upon admission to the United States pursuant to the terms and conditions of the

NAFTA.

(i) Request for change or addition of United States employer(s)--(1) Mexican citizen. A citizen of Mexico

admitted under this paragraph who seeks to change or add a United States employer must have the new

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 35 
employer file a Form I-129 petition with appropriate supporting documentation, including a letter from the new

employer describing the services to be performed, the time needed to render such services, and the terms for

remuneration for services and evidence of required filing with the Secretary of Labor. Employment with a

different or with an additional employer is not authorized prior to Service approval of the petition.

(2) Canadian citizen--(i) Filing at the service center. A citizen of Canada admitted under this paragraph who

seeks to change or add a United States employer during this period of admission must have the new employer

file a Form I-129 petition with appropriate supporting documentation, including a letter from the new employer

describing the services to be performed, the time needed to render such services, and the terms for

remuneration for services. Employment with a different or with an additional employer is not authorized prior to

Service approval of the petition.

(ii) Readmission at the border. Nothing in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section precludes a citizen of Canada from

applying for readmission to the United States for the purpose of presenting documentation from a different or

additional United States or foreign employer. Such documentation shall meet the requirements prescribed in

paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section. The fee prescribed under §103.7(b) of this chapter shall be remitted upon

admission to the United States pursuant to the terms and conditions of the NAFTA.

(3) No action shall be required on the part of a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is transferred to another

location by the United States employer to perform the same services. Such an acceptable transfer would be to a

branch or office of the employer. In the case of a transfer to a separately incorporated subsidiary or affiliate, the

requirements of paragraphs (i) (1) and (2) of this section would apply.

(j) Spouse and unmarried minor children accompanying or following to join. (1) The spouse of unmarried minor

child of a citizen of Canada or Mexico admitted in TN nonimmigrant status shall be required to present a valid,

unexpired nonimmigrant TD visa unless otherwise exempt under §212.1 of this chapter.

(2) The spouse and dependent minor children shall be issued confirming documentation (Form I-94) bearing the

legend "multiple entry". There shall be no fee required for admission of the spouse and dependent minor

children.

(3) The spouse and dependent minor children shall not accept employment in the United States unless

otherwise authorized under the Act.

(k) Effect of a strike. If the Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or

other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress, and the temporary entry of a citizen of

Mexico or Canada in TN nonimmigrant status may affect adversely the settlement of any labor dispute or the

employment of any person who is involved in such dispute:

(1) The United States may refuse to issue an immigration document authorizing entry or employment to such

alien.

(2) A Form I-129 seeking to classify a citizen of Mexico as a TN nonimmigrant may be denied. If a petition has

already been approved, but the alien has not yet entered the United States, or has entered the United States but

not yet commenced employment, the approval of the petition may be suspended.

(3) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States and is participating in a strike or other

labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or other labor dispute has been

certified by the Department of Labor, or whether the Service has been otherwise informed that such a strike or

labor dispute is in progress, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain his or her status solely on

account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of

workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act and

regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other TN nonimmigrants;

(ii) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of

his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers; and

(iii) Although participation by a TN nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work

stoppage of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who

remains in the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation.

(4) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or

other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (k)(1) of this section, or the Service has not otherwise been

informed by the Secretary that such a strike or labor dispute is in progress, the Commissioner shall not deny a

petition, suspend an approved petition, or deny entry to an applicant for TN status.

(l) Transition for Canadian Citizen Professionals in TC classification and their B-2 spouses and/or unmarried

minor children--(1) Canadian citizen professionals in TC Classification--(i) General. Canadian citizen

professionals in TC classification as of the effective date of the NAFTA Implementation Act (January 1, 1994)

will automatically be deemed to be in valid TN classification. Such persons may be readmitted to the United

States in TN classification for the remainder of the period authorized on their Form I-94, without presentation of

the letter or supporting documentation described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, and without remittance of

the prescribed fee, provided that the original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not changed.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 36 
Properly filed applications for extension of stay in TC classification which are pending on January 1, 1994 will be

deemed to be, and adjudicated as if they were applications for extension to stay in TN classification.

(ii) Procedure for Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification in possession of Form I-94 indicating

admission in TC classification. At the time of readmission, such professionals shall be required to surrender their

old Form I-94 indicating admission in TC classification. Upon surrender of the old Form I-94, such professional

will be issued a new Form I-94 bearing the legend "multiple entry" and indicating that he or she has been

readmitted in TN classification.

(iii) Procedure for Canadian citizen admitted in TC classification who are no longer in possession of Form I-94

indicating admission in TC classification. If the Canadian citizen seeking readmission to the United States is no

longer in possession of an unexpired Form I-94, and the period of initial admission has not lapsed, he or she

shall present alternate evidence described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section in order to be readmitted in TN

status. A Canadian professional seeking to extend his or her stay beyond the period indicated on the new Form

I-94 shall be required to comply with the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section, including remittance of

the fee prescribed under §103.7 of this chapter.

(iv) Nonapplicability of this section to self-employed professionals in TC nonimmigrant classification. The

provisions in paragraphs (l)(1) (i), (ii), and (iii) of this section shall not apply to professionals in TC nonimmigrant

classification who are self-employed in this country on January 1, 1994. Effective January 1, 1994, such

professionals are not authorized to engage in self-employment in this country, and may not be admitted in TN or

readmitted in TC classification.

(2) Spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizen professionals in TC classification--(i) General.

Effective January 1, 1994, the nonimmigrant classification of a spouse and/or unmarried minor child of a

Canadian citizen professional in TC classification will automatically be converted from B-2 to TD nonimmigrant

classification. Effective January 1, 1994, the spouse and/or unmarried minor child of a Canadian citizen

professional whose TC status has been automatically converted to TN, or the spouse and/or unmarried minor

child of such professional whose status has been changed to TN pursuant to paragraph (1) of this section, who

is seeking admission or readmission to this country, may be readmitted in TD classification for the remainder of

the period authorized on their Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or supporting documentation

described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, and without remittance of the prescribed fee, provided that the

original intended professional activities and employer(s) of the Canadian citizen professional have not changed.

Properly filed applications for extension of stay in B-2 classification as the spouse and/or unmarried minor

children of a Canadian citizen professional in TC classification which are pending on January 1, 1994 will be

deemed to be, and adjudicated as if they were applications for extension of stay in TD classification.

(ii) Procedure for spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification

who are in possession of Form I-94 indicating admission in B-2 classification. Upon surrender of the Form I-94

indicating that the alien has been admitted as the B-2 spouse or unmarried minor child of a TC alien valid for

"multiple entry," such alien shall be issued a new Form I-94 indicating that the alien has been readmitted in TD

classification. The new Form I-94 shall bear the legend "multiple entry."

(iii) Procedure for spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification

who are no longer in possession of Form I-94 indicating admission in B-2 classification. If the Canadian citizen

seeking readmission to the United States is no longer in possession of an unexpired Form I-94, and the period

of initial admission has not lapsed, he or she shall present alternate evidence described in paragraph (g)(1) of

this section in order to be admitted in TN status. Spouses and/or children of Canadian citizen professionals

seeking to extend their stay beyond the period indicated on the new Form I-94 shall be required to comply with

the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section, including remittance of the fee prescribed under §103.7 of

this chapter.

(iv) Nonapplicability of this section to spouses and/or unmarried minor children of self-employed professionals

admitted in TC nonimmigrant classification. Paragraphs (l)(2) (i), (ii), and (iii) of this section shall not apply to the

spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizen professionals in TC nonimmigrant classification

who are self-employed in this country on January 1, 1994. Effective January 1, 1994, such persons are not

eligible for TD classification.

PART 235--INSPECTION OF PERSONS APPLYING FOR ADMISSION

9. The authority citation for part 235 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1182, 1183, 1201, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1252. 

10. Section 235.1 is amended by adding a new paragraph (d)(8), and by revising paragraph (f)(1) introductory 

text, to read as follows: 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 37 
§235.1 Scope of examination.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(8) Any citizen of Canada or Mexico seeking to enter the United States as a principal alien E-1 or E-2, or as an

L-1 or TN, for the purpose of employment at a site where the Secretary of Labor has certified to or otherwise

informed the Commissioner that there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in

progress, and the temporary entry of that citizen of Canada or Mexico may affect adversely either the settlement

of any such labor dispute or the employment of any person who is involved in any such dispute, may be refused

entry in the classification sought. The applicant shall be advised in writing of the reason(s) for the refusal. A

designated representative of the government of Canada or Mexico shall be promptly notified in writing of the

reason(s) for the refusal of entry.

* * * * *

(f) Arrival/Departure Record, Form I-94--(1) Nonimmigrants. Each nonimmigrant alien except as indicated below,

who is admitted to the United States shall be issued a completely executed Form I-94 which must be endorsed

to show: date and place of admission, period of admission, and nonimmigrant classification. A nonimmigrant

alien who will be making frequent entries into the United States over its land borders may be issued a Form I-94

which is valid for any number of entries during the validity of the form. In the case of a nonimmigrant alien

admitted as a TN under the NAFTA, the specific occupation of such alien as set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 of

the NAFTA shall be recorded in item number 18 on the reverse side of the arrival portion of Form I-94, and the

name of the employer shall be notated on the reverse side of both the arrival and departure portions of Form I94. The departure portion Form I-94 shall bear the legend "multiple entry". A Form I-94 is not required by: * * * 

* * * * * 

PART 274a--CONTROL OF EMPLOYMENT OF ALIENS 

11. The authority citation for part 274a continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1324a; 8 CFR part 2. 

12. In §274a.12, paragraphs (b) (19) and (20) are revised to read as follows: 

§274a.12 Classes of aliens authorized to accept employment.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(19) A nonimmigrant pursuant to section 214(e) of the Act. An alien in this status must be engaged in business

activities at a professional level in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 16 of the North American Free

Trade Agreement (NAFTA); or

(20) A nonimmigrant alien within the class of aliens described in paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(5), (b)(8), (b)(9), (b)(10),

(b)(11), (b)(12), (b)(13), (b)(14), (b)(16), and (b)(19) of this section whose status has expired but who has filed a

timely application for an extension of such stay pursuant to §§214.2 or 214.6 of this chapter. These aliens are

authorized to continue employment with the same employer for a period not to exceed 240 days beginning on

the date of the expiration of the authorized period of stay. Such authorization shall be subject to any conditions

and limitations noted on the initial authorization. However, if the district director or service center director

adjudicates the application prior to the expiration of this 240 day period and denies the application for extension

of stay, the employment authorization under this paragraph shall automatically terminate upon notification of the

denial decision.

* * * * *

Dated: December 23, 1993.

Doris Meissner,

Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Note: This appendix will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Appendix to the Preamble--Additional Instructions for Form I-129.

U.S. Department of Justice

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 38 
Immigration and Naturalization Service, OMB No. 1115-0168 Additional Instructions for Form I-129 

Temporary Entry Under the North American Free Trade Agreement 

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force on January 1, 1994. Chapter 16,

Temporary Entry, of the Agreement exclusively covers four nonimmigrant classifications:

(1) B-1, Visitor for Business;

(2) E-1/E-2, Treaty Trader and Investor;

(3) L-1, Intracompany Transferee; and

(4) TN, Business Professional.

This form is for an employer to petition for initial classification, change of status, or extension of stay of a

Mexican or Canadian citizen as an L-1; for an employer to request an extension of stay or change of status of a

Mexican or Canadian citizen to the E-1 or E-2 classification; for the employer to request an extension of stay or

change of status of a Canadian citizen to the NAFTA Professional classification (TN) or the change/addition of

employers for a Canadian TN; and for an employer to petition for classification of a Mexican citizen as a NAFTA

Professional (TN).

Regular instructions for Form I-129 shall be followed to petition for L classification and E-1/E-2 classification.

The following additional instructions are provided to file for a TN.

Filing for a Canadian TN

No Form I-129 is required for Canadian citizens applying for admission to the U.S. in TN status. Form I-129 is

used by an employer to request an extension of stay for a Canadian to TN, a change of status for a Canadian to

TN classification, or the change/addition of employers for a Canadian TN.

On Form I-129, Part 2, Item 1, insert the classification symbol TN-1.

A U.S. employer/entity must file the Form I-129 with the following:

(1) a statement of the activity listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 (see the back of this form) in which the beneficiary will

be engaging and a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated

length of stay, and the arrangements for remuneration;

(2) evidence that the beneficiary meets the educational and/or alternative credentials for the activity listed in

Appendix 1603.D.1;

(3) evidence of Canadian citizenship; and

(4) evidence that all licensure requirements, where applicable to the activity, have been satisfied.

Filing for a Mexican TN

Form I-129 is required for Mexican citizens applying for initial TN classification, extension of TN stay,

change/addition of employers and change of classification to TN.

On Form I-129, Part 2, Item 1, insert the classification symbol TN-2.

A U.S. employer must file the petition with the following:

(1) a statement of the activity listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 (see the back of this form) in which the beneficiary will

be engaging, a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated

length of stay, and the arrangements for remuneration;

(2) evidence that the beneficiary meets the educational and/or alternative credentials for the activity listed in

Appendix 1603.D.1;

(3) evidence of Mexican citizenship;

(4) evidence that all licensure requirements where applicable to the activity, have been satisfied; and

(5) a certification from the Secretary of Labor that the petitioner has filed the appropriate labor condition

application or labor attestation for the specified activity.

When To File

File Form I-129 as soon as possible, but no more than 4 months before the proposed employment will begin or

the extension of stay is required. If you do not submit Form I-129 at least 45 days before the employment will

begin, processing and subsequent visa issuance may not be completed before the alien's services are require

or previous employment authorization ends.

Where To File

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 39 
When filing for a Mexican or Canadian TN, Form I-129 shall be filed with the Director of the Northern Service

Center. In all other instances, Form I-129 shall be filed with the appropriate Service center per the instructions to

Form I-129.

Fee

See general instructions for Form I-129.

Listing of Professional Occupations in Appendix 1603.D.1 of North American Free Trade Agreement

(The minimum educational or alternative credentials requirements for each profession are found at 8 CFR

214.6(c)).

Accountant

Architect

Computer Systems Analyst

Disaster relief insurance claims adjuster (claims adjuster employed by an insurance company located in the

territory of a Party, or an independent claims adjuster)

Economist

Engineer

Forester

Graphic designer

Hotel manager

Industrial designer

Interior designer

Land surveyor

Landscape architect

Lawyer (including Notary in the province of Quebec)

Librarian

Management consultant

Mathematician (including statistician)

Range manager/Range conservationist

Research assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)

Scientific technician/technologist

Social worker

Sylviculturist (including forestry specialist)

Technical publications writer

Urban planner (including geographer)

Vocational counselor

Medical/Allied Professionals

Dentist

Dietitian

Medical laboratory technologist (Canada)/medical technologist (Mexico and the United States)

Nutritionist

Occupational therapist

Pharmacist

Physician (teaching or research only)

Physiotherapist/physical therapist

Psychologist

Recreational therapist

Registered nurse

Veterinarian

SCIENTIST

Agriculturist (agronomist)

Animal breeder

Animal scientist

Apiculturist

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 40 
Astronomer

Biochemist

Biologist

Chemist

Dairy scientist

Entomologist

Epidemiologist

Geneticist

Geochemist

Geologist

Geophysicist (including oceanographer in Mexico and the United States)

Horticulturist

Meteorologist

Pharmacologist

Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada)

Plant Breeder

Poultry scientist

Soil scientist

Zoologist

TEACHER

College

Seminary

University

For information regarding qualifications for the positions, additions or subtractions from Appendix 1603.D.1, and

related information, you should contact your local Immigration and Naturalization Service office.

(FR Doc. 93-32008 Filed 12-28-93; 11:17 am)

BILLING CODE 4410-01-M

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 41 
INSPECTORS FIELD MANUAL CHAPTER 15.5 

NAFTA Admissions 

(a) General. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Canada, and 

Mexico entered into force on January 1, 1994. Chapter 16 of NAFTA pertains to Canadian and Mexican 

citizens seeking classification as one of four types of business persons: 

• B-1 temporary visitors for business under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act; 

• E-1 or E-2 treaty traders and treaty investors under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act; 

• L-1 intracompany transferees under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act; and 

• TN professional level employees under section 214(e) of the Act. 

The NAFTA is an historic accord governing the largest trilateral trade relationship in the world and covers trade 

in goods, services, and investments. NAFTA facilitates the movement of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican 

businesspersons across each country’s border through streamlined procedures. The NAFTA maintains the 

provisions of existing laws that ensure border security and protect indigenous labor and permanent employment. 

Further, NAFTA fully protects the ability of state governments to require that Canadians and Mexicans practicing 

a profession in the United States are fully licensed under state law to do so. Current U.S. law and practice 

relating to exclusion and deportation of aliens applies unchanged to all business persons seeking temporary 

entry under the provisions of Chapter 16 of the NAFTA. 

The immigration-related provisions of NAFTA are similar to those contained in the United States-Canada FreeTrade Agreement (CFTA), which was suspended with the entry into force of NAFTA. 

The NAFTA is an international agreement subject to scrutiny by the public, the media, other governments and 

the Temporary Entry Working Group. INS inspectors must maintain the highest standards of objectivity, courtesy 

and professionalism when processing applicants for admission. 

(b) Definitions. 

(1) A businessperson as defined in NAFTA means a citizen of Canada or Mexico who is engaged in the 

trade of goods, the provision of services, or the conduct of investment activities. 

(2) Business activities at a professional level means those undertakings which require that, for 

successful completion, the individual has at least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials 

demonstrating status as a professional. 

(3) Temporary entry as used in NAFTA means entry without the intent to establish permanent residence. 

(4) To engage in business activities at a professional level means the performance of prearranged 

business activities for an U.S. entity, including an individual. It does not allow for entry in TN status of 

those businesspersons that are seeking entry to engage in self-employment. 

(c) B-1 Classification: Business Visitor. 

(1) Qualifications. A NAFTA B-1 must meet the same eligibility requirements, described in Chapter 15.4, 

as any other B-1. All persons seeking admission into the United States under this category, whether 

they engage in the activities listed in Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA or other 

legitimate business activities, must meet all the general standards described above. These standards 

have been written to be flexible and to accommodate normal legitimate business activities [See 

Appendix 15-3 of this manual.]. 

Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA is a list of business activities representative of a 

complete business cycle in which a B-1 business visitor seeking entry under the NAFTA may engage. 

Appendix 1603.A.1 is not an exhaustive list. Nothing precludes a citizen of Mexico or Canada from 

seeking entry to engage in traditional B-1 activities that are not included within Appendix 1603.A.1, 

provided they meet all requirements for entry in such states, including restrictions on sources of 

remuneration. 

The activities contained in Appendix 1603.A.1 include: 

(A) Research and design. Technical, scientific and statistical researchers conducting independent 

research or research for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 42 
(B) Growth, manufacture and production. Harvester-owner supervising a harvesting crew admitted under 

applicable law. Purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions 

for an enterprise located in the territory of another party. 

(C) Marketing. Market researchers and analysts conducting independent research or analysis for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party. Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a 

trade convention. 

(D) Sales. Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for 

an enterprise located in the territory of another Party but not delivering goods or providing services. 

(E) Distribution. Transportation operations transporting goods or passengers to the territory of a Party from 

the territory of another Party or loading and transporting goods or passengers from the territory of a 

Party, with no unloading in that territory, to the territory of another Party. With respect to temporary 

entry into the territory of the United States, Canadian customs brokers performing brokerage duties 

relating to the export of goods from the territory of the United States to or through the territory of 

Canada. With respect to temporary entry into the territory of Canada, United States customs brokers 

performing brokerage duties relating to the export of goods from the territory of Canada to or through 

the territory of the United States. (It should be noted that, during the course of negotiations relating to 

NAFTA immigration provisions, Mexico decided not to be a Party to the language involving temporary 

entry of customs brokers into the signatory countries. Therefore, Mexican citizen customs brokers are 

not referenced in Appendix 1603.A.1. A citizen of Mexico is not precluded, however, from seeking entry 

into the United States in B-1 status to perform the functions of a customs broker provided he or she 

meets all existing requirements for B-1 classification.) Customs brokers providing consulting services 

regarding the facilitation of the import or export of goods. 

(F) After-sales services. Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing 

specialized knowledge essential to a seller’s contractual obligation, performing services or training 

workers to perform services, pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of 

commercial or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an 

enterprise located outside the territory of the Party into which temporary entry is sought, during the life 

of the warranty or service agreement. The language concerning the life of a renewable service contract 

must have been included in clear and definitive terms in the original contract at the point of sale. 

Nothing under NAFTA precludes third party contracts for after-sales service providing the third party 

agreement was contracted at the time of sale. 

(G) General service. 

Professionals engaging in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set forth in 

Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603, but receiving no salary or other remuneration from a U.S. source 

(other than an expense allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to the temporary 

stay). 

Management and supervisory personnel engaging in a commercial transaction for an enterprise 

located in the territory of another Party. 

Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaging in commercial 

transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or 

participating in conventions. 

Tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators) attending or participating 

in conventions or conducting a tour that has begun in the territory of another Party. The tour may begin 

in the United States, but must terminate in foreign territory, and a significant portion of the tour must be 

conducted in foreign territory. In such cases, an operator may enter the United States with an empty 

conveyance and a tour guide may enter on his or her own and join the conveyance. 

Tour bus operators entering the territory of another Party with a group of passengers on a bus tour 

that has begun in, will return to, the territory of another Party to meet a group of passengers on a bus 

tour that will end, and the predominant portion of which will take place, in the territory of another Party or 

with a group of passengers on a bus tour to be unloaded in the territory of the Party into which 

temporary entry is sought, and returning with no passengers or reloading with the group for 

transportation to the territory of another Party. 

Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the territory 

of another Party. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 43 
(2) Terms of Admission. A citizen of Canada need not apply for a B-1 nonimmigrant visa, but is not 

precluded from doing so. A citizen of Mexico must apply for a B-1 visa at an U.S. embassy or 

consulate abroad. A citizen of Canada or Mexico will be admitted into the United States at the 

discretion of the inspecting officer for the period necessary to engage in the intended activities, not 

to exceed 1 year. The alien may apply to extend his or her stay by filing an Application to 

Extend/Change Status on Form I-539 with the appropriate Service office. Extensions of stay are 

granted in increments of not more than 6 months. 

There is a $6.00 fee at all land border ports-of-entry to process a Form I-94 for an applicant’s 

admission into the United States. 

(3) Spouses and Children. The spouse and children of a businessperson may accompany or follow to join 

the B-1 business visitor in B-2 classification if they otherwise meet the general requirements for 

temporary entry of visitors for pleasure. Such dependents may not work in the U.S. without obtaining a 

change of status, but may attend school, if incident to status. 

(d) E Classification as a Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor. 

(1) Qualifications. Section B of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA provides for the temporary entry of Canadian 

and Mexican citizens as treaty traders and treaty investors. This section required no changes to 

existing law and practice under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act, other than to authorize citizens of 

Canada and Mexico to apply for treaty trader (E-1) or treaty investor (E-2) status pursuant to the 

NAFTA. 

A treaty trader is a businessperson who is coming to the U.S. solely to carry on substantial trade, 

principally between the U.S. and Canada, if the trader is a citizen of Canada, or between the U.S. and 

Mexico, if the trader is a citizen of Mexico. 

A treaty investor is a business person who is coming to the United States solely to develop and direct 

the operations of an enterprise in which he or she has invested, or of an enterprise in which he or she is 

actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital. 

Immigration officers must familiarize themselves with the definition of the E classification in 

§101(a)(15)(E) of the Act and the regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(e) and 22 CFR 41.51. 

(A) Treaty Traders. NAFTA businesspersons applying for the E-1 visa as a Treaty Trader must meet the 

following requirements. 

• Citizenship. The trader, individual or entity must possess citizenship of Canada or Mexico. In the case 

of an entity, Canadian citizens or Mexican citizens must own at least 50% of that business. 

• Trade. There must be an international exchange of a good or service, including title to that trade item, 

for consideration between the United States and either Canada or Mexico. 

• Substantial Trade. The volume of trade must constitute a continuous flow of trade items involving 

numerous transactions between the United States and Canada or Mexico. 

• Trade Linked to Citizenship. Trade is principally between the U.S. and Canada, if the trader 

possesses Canadian citizenship, or between the U.S. and Mexico, if the trader possesses Mexican 

citizenship. At least 50% of the international trade (as contrasted to domestic trade) of the trading entity 

must be conducted between the U.S. and Canada, if the trader possesses Canadian citizenship, or between 

the U.S. and Mexico, if the trader possesses Mexican citizenship. 

(B) Treaty Investors. NAFTA businesspersons applying for the E-2 visa as a Treaty Investor must meet 

the following requirements. 

• Citizenship. The investor, individual or entity must possess citizenship of Canada or Mexico. In the 

case of an entity, at least 50% of that business must be owned either by Canadian citizens or by Mexican 

citizens. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 44 
• Investment Must Occur or Be in Process. The investor has invested or is actively in the process of 

investing. The investor may invest in an established business or create a business. Being in the process of 

investing requires the irrevocable commitment of funds. 

• The Investment Must Be Real. The enterprise is a real and operating commercial enterprise. A 

dormant or paper enterprise does not qualify. 

• The Investment Must Be Substantial. A substantial amount of capital constitutes that amount that is 

substantial in the proportional sense pursuant to a proportionality test, that is, an inverted sliding scale in 

which the lower the total cost of the enterprise, the higher, proportionally, the investment must be. The 

overall cost of the enterprise is compared with the amount of personal funds and assets invested by the 

investor. Only loans guaranteed by personal assets qualify as actual investment by the treaty investor. 

The business shall not be marginal, solely for the purpose of earning a living. A marginal enterprise is an 

enterprise that does not have the present or future capacity to generate more than enough income to provide a 

living for the treaty investor and his or her family. 

• The Investor Must Be Developing and Directing the Enterprise . An investor develops and directs 

the business by owning at least 50% of the enterprise or by a combination involving ownership and 

possession of management responsibility, by controlling stock by proxy, etc. 

(C) Qualifying Employees for E-1 or E-1 Visa Classification. Employees of Treaty Traders and Treaty 

Investors also may apply for an E-1 or E-2, if they meet the following requirements. 

• Citizenship. The employee must possess the same citizenship as the trader or investor employer. 

• Position. The employee is destined to an executive/supervisory position, possessing the authority and 

responsibility to make decisions which will set the direction of the enterprise; or the employee, if employed in 

a minor capacity, has special qualifications that make the services to be rendered essential to the 

successful or efficient operation of the enterprise. The essential employee must possess special skills 

including skills that are unique to operations in the U.S. Such employees are highly and specially skilled. 

• Temporary. All persons must indicate the intent to depart the U.S. upon termination of status, ceasing 

business operations or sale of business, etc. 

(2) Terms of Admission. An alien seeking admission as a treaty trader or treaty investor under the 

NAFTA as an E-1 or E-2 must be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa issued by an American consular 

officer classifying the alien under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. Both Canadian and Mexican citizens 

must apply at an U.S. embassy or consulate for the issuance of an “E” nonimmigrant visa and pay any 

visa fee. A supplemental Form OF-156E must be submitted with pertinent documentation to the 

consular officer. Upon admission, issue both Canadian and Mexican treaty traders and treaty investors 

and their dependents a Form I-94, endorsed in the same manner as other E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrants. 

The classification code E-1 or E-2 will be marked clearly on the I-94. The I-94 with the E-1 or E-2 

notation is the employment authorization documentation for the treaty trader or treaty investor. The 

Form I-94 is presented to the Social Security Administration for purposes of applying for a social 

security number. Periods of initial admission and extension are the same as for other E-1 and E-2 

nonimmigrants. 

(3) Spouse and Dependent Children. The spouse and children of a treaty trader or treaty investor may 

accompany or follow to join the E-1 or E-2 businessperson if they otherwise meet the general 

requirements for temporary entry. There is no requirement that the spouse and children be Canadian or 

Mexican citizens. Such dependents may not work in the U.S. without obtaining a change of status, but 

may attend school, if incident to status. As with other E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant dependents, their I-94 

visa symbol is the same as the principal’s; endorsements are the same as for other E dependents. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 45 
(e) L Classification as an Intracompany Transferee. 

(1) Qualifications. The designated nonimmigrant classification for the intracompany transferee who enters 

the U.S. under the NAFTA is L-1. The L-1 classification has been part of the Act since the 1970’s 

through section 101(a)(15)(L). The U.S. has committed to allow citizens of Canada and Mexico who 

meet the qualifications of the current L-1 classification to enter the U.S. as intracompany transferees 

while the NAFTA is in force. Immigration officers must familiarize themselves with definition of the L 

classification at section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act and regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(l). See L-1 notes in 

Chapter 15.4 and Adjudicator’s Field Manual, Chapter 32. 

The NAFTA intracompany transferee must qualify under the existing requirements for L classification, 

including: 

• Citizenship. To qualify for the NAFTA intracompany transferee classification, the applicant must 

establish Canadian or Mexican citizenship. 

• Qualifying Capacity. The applicant must qualify in a capacity that is managerial, executive, or one 

involving specialized knowledge. 

• Qualifying Entity. The applicant must be seeking entry to work for an entity in the U.S. that is the 

parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the entity in the foreign country. 

• Qualifying Past Employment. The applicant must have been employed continuously for 1 year in the 

previous past 3 years with the qualifying entity abroad in a qualifying capacity. 

(2) Terms of Admission. A petition must be filed in the applicant’s behalf to accord the alien classification 

as an L-1. The petition must be submitted by the qualifying entity to the Service on Form I-129, Petition 

for Temporary Worker, in accordance with the instructions for that form. The Service will provide the 

NAFTA intracompany transferee and dependents with Forms I-94 at the time of admission endorsed in 

the same manner as other class L admissions. The I-94 is the employment authorization document for 

the L-1 and may be presented to the Social Security Administration for the purpose of applying for a 

social security number. Periods of admission and extension for NAFTA L aliens are the same as for 

other L nonimmigrants. 

(A) Citizens of Canada. A citizen of Canada is not required to, but may obtain, a nonimmigrant visa. 

The applicant must establish Canadian citizenship. 

The I-129 petition may be filed (in duplicate) by the U.S. or foreign employer in advance of entry or 

in conjunction with an application for admission. If the alien wishes to file in advance, the petition 

must be submitted to the appropriate Service Center and should be submitted at least 30 days in 

advance of the expected date of entry. The applicant must present evidence of the approved 

petition (form I-797, Notice of Approval) at the time of application for admission. If the petition is filed 

in conjunction with an application for admission, such filing must be made in person with an 

immigration officer at a Class A port-of-entry located on the US-Canada land border or at an U.S. 

pre-clearance/pre-flight station in Canada. Petitions may not be submitted to a port-of-entry in 

advance. The petitioning employer need not appear, but the Form I-129 must bear the authorized 

signature of the petitioner and all documentation and the appropriate filing fee must accompany the 

petition. The port of entry may accept appointments but the use of appointments may not preclude 

an applicant who did not make an appointment from being processed at the time of his/her 

application for admission. The I-129 petition is complex and requires sufficient time for review by the 

processing officer. The burden of processing time rests with the applicant not with the Service. 

Applicants for admission filing I-129 petitions at pre-flight locations in Canada must allow sufficient 

time prior to the departure of their flight for processing. 

(B) Citizens of Mexico. A citizen of Mexico must apply for an L visa at an American consulate. At the 

port-of-entry, the applicant must present a valid Mexican passport with their L-1 visa. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 46 
(3) Spouses and Dependent Children. Spouses and dependent children of intracompany transferees 

may accompany or follow to join the L-1 principal if they otherwise meet the general immigration 

requirements for temporary entry. L-2 is the designated classification for both spouse and 

dependent children of intracompany transferees. There is no requirement that the spouse and 

dependent children be citizens of Canada or Mexico. L-2 dependents who are citizens of Canada 

are not required to obtain an L-2 visa but may seek visa issuance if desired. L-2 dependents who 

are citizens of Mexico or other countries generally are required to seek visa issuance. L-2’s may 

not work in the United States. L-2’s may attend school while in the United States incident to their 

temporary stay. 

(f) TN Classification as a Professional. 

(1) General. (A) Background. The NAFTA professional is unique to the North American Free Trade 

Agreement (the NAFTA). The classification is not found in general immigration provisions in section 

101(a)(15) of the INA; rather, it is included in section 214(e) of the INA. Under NAFTA, a Canadian or 

Mexican citizen who seeks temporary entry into the United States as a professional may be admitted to 

the United States under the provisions of the NAFTA as a TN (for Trade NAFTA). The TN is limited to 

Canadian or Mexican professionals employed on a professional level. A professional is defined as a 

business person seeking entry to engage in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set 

forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603, if the business person otherwise qualifies under existing, 

general immigration requirements for temporary entry into the United States. [See Appendix 15-4 of this 

manual for Annex 1603, Appendix 1603.D.1.][For regulations relating to NAFTA TN classification, refer 

to 8 CFR 214.6.]. 

The NAFTA professional is modeled on the professional category in the predecessor trade pact, the 

United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (CFTA), which was in effect from January 1, 1989 until 

the entry into force of the NAFTA on January 1, 1994. The provisions differ slightly for Canadian citizen 

applicants and Mexican citizen applicants. Presently, the number of Mexican citizens entering the 

United States as TN professionals under NAFTA is limited to 5,500. There is no numerical limitation on 

the number of Canadian citizen TN professionals. 

As with the CFTA, admission as a TN under section 214(e) of the INA does not imply that the citizen of 

Canada or Mexico would otherwise qualify as a professional under sections 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) or 

203(b)(3) of the INA. Note too that Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a professional to 

establish a business or practice in the United States in which the professional will be self-employed. 

Section D of Annex 1603 is limited to the entry of a citizen of a Party country seeking to render 

professional-level services for an entity in another Party country. 

Self-employment also clearly conflicts with the intent of the NAFTA Implementation Act and its 

accompanying Statement of Administrative Action, which states, at page 178, “Section D of Annex 1603 

does not authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in the United States in which the 

professional will be self-employed.” In this regard, Section B of Annex 1603, which deals with “traders 

and investors,” establishes the appropriate category of temporary entry for a citizen of a Party country 

seeking to develop and direct investment operations in another Party country. Canadian or Mexican 

citizens seeking to engage in self-employment in trade or investment activities in the United States, 

therefore, must seek classification under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the INA. 

Although the issue of self-employment was never specifically addressed under the regulations 

promulgated by the INS pursuant to the CFTA Implementation Act, the bar on establishment of a 

business or practice in which the professional will be self- employed is consistent with the intent of the 

United States and Canada in entering into the CFTA. Since entry into NAFTA was not intended to 

substantively change the treatment of professionals, this explicit bar merely clarifies existing law. 

Note that the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which the Canadian or Mexican citizen 

will be self-employed is in no way intended to preclude a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is selfemployed abroad from seeking entry to the United States pursuant to a pre-arranged agreement with an 

enterprise owned by a person or entity other than him/herself located in the United States. On the other 

hand, a Canadian or Mexican citizen is precluded from entering this country in TN classification for the 

purpose of rendering pre-arranged services for a U.S. corporation or entity of which he or she is the sole 

or controlling shareholder or owner or over which he or she holds de facto control. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 47 
(B) Pre-arranged Professional Services. In order to obtain “TN” classification, a businessperson, 

including one who is self-employed, must be seeking entry to render pre-arranged professional 

services to an individual or an enterprise. If the business activities are to be rendered to an 

individual or an enterprise, the enterprise must be substantively separate from the businessperson 

seeking entry. Moreover, the business activities must not include establishment of a business or 

practice or any other type of activity in which the businessperson will be self-employed in the United 

States. 

As used above, to constitute pre-arranged professional services, there must exist a formal 

arrangement to render professional service to an individual or an enterprise in the United States. 

The formal arrangement may be through an employee-employer relationship or through a signed 

contract between the businessperson or the businessperson’s employer and an individual or an 

enterprise in the United States. 

(C) Enterprise for Which the Professional Activities are to be Performed in the United States. 

The enterprise in the United States for which the business activities are to be performed can take 

any legal form (as defined in Article 201 of the NAFTA), that is, “any entity entirely constituted or 

organized under applicable law, whether or not for profit, and whether privately- owned or 

government-owned, including any corporation, trust partnership, sole proprietorship, joint venture or 

other association.” 

(D) Substantively Separate from the Business Person Seeking Entry as NAFTA Professional. A 

businessperson is ineligible for classification as a NAFTA Professional if the enterprise in the United 

States offering a contract or employment to the businessperson seeking entry is a sole 

proprietorship operated by that businessperson. Moreover, even if the receiving enterprise is legally 

distinct from the businessperson, such as a corporation having a separate legal existence, entry as 

a NAFTA Professional must be refused if the receiving enterprise is substantially controlled by that 

businessperson. 

(E) Substantial Control. Whether the businessperson “substantially controls” the U.S. enterprise will 

depend on the specific facts of each case. The following factors, among others, are relevant in 

determining what constitutes substantial control: 

• whether the applicant has established the receiving enterprise; 

• whether, as a matter of fact, the applicant has sole or primary control of the U.S. enterprise 

(regardless of the applicant’s actual percentage of share ownership); 

• whether the applicant is the sole or primary owner of the business; or 

• whether the applicant is the sole or primary recipient of income of the business. 

(F) Establishment of a Business in Which the Professional Will be Self-Employed in the United 

States. The following factors, among others are relevant in determining whether the business 

person will be self-employed in the United States: 

• incorporation of a company in which the business person will be self-employed; 

• initiation of communications (e.g., by direct mail or by advertising) for the purpose of obtaining 

employment or entering into contracts for an enterprise in the United States; or 

• responding to advertisements for the purpose of obtaining employment or entering into 

contracts. 

On the other hand, the following activities do not constitute the establishment of a business in which the 

business person will be self-employed in the United States: 

• responding to unsolicited inquiries about service(s) which the professional may be able to perform; or 

• establishing business premises from which to deliver pre-arranged service to clients. 

(Paragraph (f)(1) revised IN98-06) 

(2) Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Under NAFTA, an applicant seeking classification 

as a TN must demonstrate business activity at a professional level in one of the professions or 

occupations listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603. Appendix 1603.D.1 (which replaces Schedule 

2 to Annex 1502.1 of the CFTA) is set forth at 8 CFR 214.6(c). A Baccalaureate (bachelor’s) or 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 48 
Licenciatura degree is the minimum requirement for these professions unless an alternative credential is 

otherwise specified. In the case of a Canadian or Mexican citizen whose occupation does not appear 

on Appendix 1603.D.1 or who does not meet the transparent criteria specified, nothing precludes the 

filing of a petition for classification under another existing nonimmigrant classification. 

A footnote to Appendix 1603.D.1 allows for temporary entry to perform training functions relating to any 

of the cited occupations or profession, including conducting seminars. However, these training 

functions must be conducted in the manner of prearranged activities performed for an U.S. entity and 

the subject matter to be proffered must be at a professional level. The training function does not allow 

for the entry of a businessperson to conduct seminars that do not constitute the performance of 

prearranged activities for an U.S. entity. 

The terms “state/provincial license ” and “state/provincial/federal license ” means any document 

issued by a state, provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not 

by a local government, that permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession. 

A “Post Secondary Diploma” means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post 

secondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. A “Post 

Secondary Certificate” means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary 

education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in 

Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an 

academic institution created by federal or state law. 

The following notes relate to NAFTA TN admissions in specific occupations: 

(A) A business person in the category of “Scientific Technician/ Technologist” must be seeking 

temporary entry for work in direct support of professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, 

chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics. These occupations do 

not ordinarily require a baccalaureate. Supporting documents could be an attestation from the 

prospective U.S. employer or the Canadian employer, or other documents establishing the individual 

possesses the skills set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1. 

(B) A business person in the category of “Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada) /Medical 

Technologist (Mexico and the United States)” must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a 

laboratory chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and 

analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases. 

(C) Foreign medical school graduates seeking temporary entry in the category of “Physician (teaching or 

research only)” may not engage in direct patient care. Patient care that is incidental teaching and/or 

research is permissible. Patient care is incidental when it is casually incurred in conjunction with the 

physician’s teaching or research. To determine if the patient care will incidental, factors such as the 

amount of time spent in patient care relative to teaching and/or research, whether the physician 

receives compensation for such services, whether the salary offer is so substantial in teaching and/or 

research that direct patient care is unlikely, or whether the physician will have a regular patient load, 

should be considered by the officer. 

(D) Registered nurses must demonstrate eligibility by providing a provincial or state license or Licenciatura 

degree. However, in order to be admitted the registered nurse must present a permanent state license, 

a temporary state license, or other temporary authorization to work as a registered nurse, issued by the 

state nursing board in the state of intended employment. Registered nurses holding temporary state 

licenses or other temporary state authorization shall not be required to show they have passed the 

examination given by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Admission 

of nurses should not be limited to the expiration date of either document. 

(E) Sylviculturists and foresters plan and supervise the growing, protection, and harvesting of trees. 

Range managers manage, improve, and protect rangelands to maximize their use without damaging the 

environment. A baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in forestry or a related field or a state/provincial 

license is the minimum entry requirement for these occupations. 

F) Disaster relief insurance claims adjusters must submit documentation that there is a declared 

disaster event by the President of the United States, or a state statute, or a local ordinance, or an event 

at a site which has been assigned a catastrophe serial number by the Property Claims Service of the 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 49 
American Insurance Services Group, or, if property damage exceeds $5 million and represents a 

significant number of claims, by an association of insurance companies representing at least 15 percent 

of the property casualty market in the U.S. 

G) Management consultants provide services that are directed toward improving the managerial, 

operating, and economic performance of public and private entities by analyzing and resolving strategic 

and operating problems and thereby improving the entity’s goals, objectives, policies, strategies, 

administration, organization, and operation. Management consultants are usually independent 

contractors or employees of consulting firms under contracts to U.S. entities. They may be salaried 

employees of the U.S. entities to which they are providing services only when they are not assuming 

existing positions or filling newly created positions. As a salaried employee of such an U.S. entity, they 

may only fill supernumerary temporary positions. On the other hand, if the employer is an U.S. 

management-consulting firm, the employee may be coming temporarily to fill a permanent position. 

Canadian or Mexican citizens may qualify as management consultants by holding a Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura degree or by having five years of experience in a specialty related to the consulting 

agreement. 

(H) The computer systems analyst category does not include programmers. A systems analyst is an 

information specialist who analyzes how data processing can be applied to the specific needs of users 

and who designs and implements computer-based processing systems. Systems analysts study the 

organization itself to identify its information needs and design computer systems that meet those needs. 

Although the systems analyst will do some programming, the TN category has not been expanded to 

include programmers. 

(I) Hotel Managers must possess a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in hotel/restaurant 

management. A post-secondary diploma in hotel/restaurant management plus 3 years of experience in 

the field will also qualify. 

(J) Animal and Plant Breeders breed animals and plants to improve their economic and aesthetic 

characteristics. Both occupations require a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree. 

(3) Qualifications. The NAFTA professional must meet the following general criteria: 

• Be a citizen of a NAFTA country (Canada or Mexico). 

• Be engaged in professional-level activities for an entity in the United States. Only those professionallevel activities listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 are covered under the NAFTA. The applicant 

must establish that the professional-level services will be rendered for an entity in the United States. The 

NAFTA professional category is not appropriate for Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking to set up a 

business in the United States in which he or she will be self-employed. 

• Be qualified as a professional. The applicant must establish qualifications to engage in one of the 

activities listed in Appendix 1603.D.1. The Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials 

are listed in the Appendix for each professional-level activity. The regulation requires that degrees, 

diplomas, or certificates received by the TN applicant from an educational institution outside of the United 

States, Canada, or Mexico must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation 

service that specializes in such evaluations. Experiential evidence should be in the form of letters from 

former employers. If the applicant was formerly self-employed, business records should be submitted 

attesting to that self-employment. 

• Meet applicable license requirements. To practice a licensed profession, Canadian and Mexican 

entrants must meet all applicable requirements of the state in which they intend to practice. 

Note: In certain circumstances, although a profession may generally require licensing, there may be 

duties within the occupation that do not require licensing. For example, an architect must be licensed to 

sign architectural plans, etc. but not all professional-level duties of an architect require licensure (an 

architect can work on development of plans but be precluded from signing the plans). 

Similarly, a dentist requires a license in the U.S. to practice dentistry but if a Canadian citizen is coming 

to the U.S. as a TN to give a seminar on dentistry, no U.S. license would be necessary. The Canadian 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 50 
may establish qualifications as a dentist by showing a provincial license or a D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en 

Odontologia en Cirugia Dental.. 

This is analogous to the lawyer who seeks admission as a TN to offer professional-level legal advice 

about Canadian law but who is not going to practice before any state bar in the U.S.-- this Canadian 

citizen would need only to establish qualification as a lawyer-- a J.D. or provincial bar membership could 

suffice. 

• Be in the United States temporarily. The NAFTA professional must establish that the intent of entry is 

not for permanent residence. 

(4) Application Process. 

(A) Citizens of Canada. A citizen of Canada may apply for entry to the U.S. as a NAFTA professional at 

major ports-of-entry, airports handling international flights, or at the airports in Canada where the 

Service has established a pre-clearance/pre-flight station. The applicant must submit documentary proof 

that he or she is a citizen of Canada. Such proof may consist of a Canadian passport or birth certificate 

together with photo identification. No visa is required for entry, but the applicant may seek visa 

issuance if desired. 

An application for entry as a TN professional is an application for admission. It must be made, in person, 

to an immigration officer at the same time the individual is applying for admission to the United States. 

There is no written application for entry as a TN professional. No prior petition, labor certification, or 

prior approval may be required for Canadian citizens applying for admission to the U.S. in TN status. 

Advance adjudication of a TN applicant prior to the actual application for admission is not appropriate. 

Prior approval procedures are not permissible under Annex 1603.D.2(a) of the NAFTA. The applicant 

must be interviewed regarding his or her qualifications. 

Documentation from the prospective employer in the U.S., or from the foreign employer, must include 

the following: 

• A statement (in the form of a letter or contract) of the professional-level activity listed in 

Appendix 1603.D.1, in which the applicant will be engaging and a full description of the nature of the job 

duties the applicant will be performing, the anticipated length of stay, and the arrangements for 

remuneration; 

• Evidence that the applicant meets the educational qualifications or alternative credentials for the 

activity listed in Appendix 1603.D.1; and 

• Evidence that all licensure requirements, where required by state or local law, have been 

satisfied. {Please refer to note regarding license requirements in 15.5(f)(3)}. 

(B) Citizens of Mexico. A citizen of Mexico may apply for entry to the U.S. as a NAFTA professional at 

major land border ports-of-entry, airports handling international flights, or at the airports in Canada 

where the Service has established a pre-clearance/pre-flight station. However, a citizen of Mexico must 

be in possession of a TN nonimmigrant visa issued by an American Consulate and present a valid 

Mexican passport. 

Citizens of Mexico seeking classification as a TN must do so on the basis of a petition filed by the U.S. 

employer. Before filing the petition, the employer must meet the labor application requirement of 

section 212(n) of the Act. 

Each prospective U.S. employer must file the petition on Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, 

with the Nebraska Service Center, even in emergent circumstances, with the following: 

• Evidence that the applicant is a citizen of Mexico; 

• Evidence that the employer has filed with the Secretary of Labor Form ETA 9035 to show that 

the petitioner has met the labor condition application requirement of section 212(n) of the Act; 

• A statement of the activity listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 in which the beneficiary will be engaging, 

a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated length of 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 51 
stay, and the arrangements for remuneration; 

• Evidence that the applicant meets the educational and/or alternative credentials for the activity 

listed in Appendix 1603.D.1; and 

• Evidence that all applicable state or local licensure requirements have been satisfied. 

The Service will provide the U.S. employer with a written decision approving or denying the petition. The 

applicant must then present the approval notice to the consular official when applying for a TN visa. There is a 

fee to apply for a TN visa. A petition classifying a citizen of Mexico as a TN professional may be approved for 

up to 1 year. In the case of a petition denial, full appeal rights through the Administrative Appeals Unit are 

available to the petitioner. 

(5) Terms of Initial Admission. 

(A) Canadians. A Canadian citizen who qualifies for admission under the NAFTA in the TN 

classification must remit the fee prescribed in 8 CFR 103.7 (presently $50.00 US) upon admission. 

Issue the applicant a Service fee receipt (Form G-211, Form G-711, or Form I-797) and a multiple 

entry Form I-94 showing admission in the classification TN for the period requested not to exceed 1 

year. 

(B) Mexicans. A Mexican citizen seeking admission in TN classification is required to present a valid 

TN visa issued by an American Consulate. In addition to the visa requirement, the Mexican citizen 

must present at the time of application for initial admission a copy of the employer’s statement 

regarding the nature of the applicant’s duties in the United States. Admit a Mexican TN for the 

validity period of the approved petition and issue a multiple entry Form I-94 showing admission 

classification as TN. (Note that only citizens of Canada pay the TN fee at the port-of-entry. This fee 

is not charged to Mexican citizens when applying for TN classification at the port-of-entry because 

fees are charged for filing the I-129 petition and for issuance of the TN nonimmigrant visa.) 

At the time application for admission, the citizen of Canada or Mexico will be subject to inspection to determine 

the applicability of section 214(b) of the Act (presumption of immigrant intent) to the applicant. 

(6) Procedures for Readmission. 

(A) Canadians. A Canadian citizen eligible for TN classification may be readmitted to the U.S. for the 

remainder of the period authorized on his or her Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or 

supporting documentation described above, provided that the original intended business activities 

and employer(s) have not changed. If the Canadian citizen is no longer in possession of a valid, 

unexpired Form I-94, the applicant must present substantiating evidence. Substantiating evidence 

may be in the form of a Service fee receipt for admission as a TN, a previously issued TN admission 

stamp in a passport, and a confirming letter from the U.S. employer(s). Upon readmission, issue a 

new multiple entry Form I-94. 

(B) Mexicans. The citizen of Mexico who is in possession of a valid Form I-94 may be readmitted for 

the remainder of the time authorized provided that the original intended professional activities and 

employer(s) have not changed and should retain possession of that original Form I-94. If no longer 

in possession of a valid Form I-94 (e.g. a citizen of Mexico seeking readmission upon return from a 

trip to Europe), the Mexican citizen may be readmitted upon presentation of a valid TN visa and 

evidence of prior admission. Evidence of prior admission may include, but is not limited to, an INS 

fee receipt from a prior entry or an admission stamp in the applicant’s passport. Upon readmission, 

a new I-94 shall be issued bearing the legend “multiple entry.” 

(7) Extension of stay. 

(A) Canadians. A citizen of Canada admitted pursuant to NAFTA may seek an extension of stay as a 

TN through the filing of a Form I-129 by the U.S. employer with the Nebraska Service Center. No 

Department of Labor certification requirements apply to a Canadian citizen in TN status who is 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 52 
seeking to extend that status. The applicant must be in the U.S. at the time of filing the extension 

request. Provision is made for port-of-entry notification should the applicant depart the U.S. during 

the pendency of the application. An extension may be granted for up to 1 year. 

A citizen of Canada is not precluded from departing the U.S. and applying for admission with 

documentation from a U.S. employer (or foreign employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen who is 

seeking to provide prearranged services at a professional level to a U.S. entity) which specifies that 

the applicant will be employed in the U.S. for an additional period of time. The applicant must meet 

the evidentiary requirements outlined above and the prescribed fee must be remitted upon 

admission. 

(B) Mexicans. A citizen of Mexico seeking an extension of stay in the U.S. in TN status also must be 

petitioned for on Form I-129 at the Nebraska Service Center. Documentary requirements include 

evidence that Department of Labor certification requirements continue to be met by the employer. 

Provision is included for consular notification should the applicant leave the U.S. during the pendency of 

the application. A petition extension and extension of the applicant’s stay may be granted for up to 1 

year. 

(C) Limitations. At the present time, there is no specified upper limit on the number of years a citizen of 

Canada or Mexico may remain in the U.S. in TN classification, as there is with most of the other 

nonimmigrant classifications. However, section 214(b) of the Act is applicable to citizens of Canada or 

Mexico who seek an extension of stay in TN status and applications for extension or readmission must 

be examined in light of this statutory provision. 

Except as limited by section 248 of the Act, a citizen of Canada or Mexico who is currently in the U.S. in 

another valid classification is not precluded from requesting a change of status to TN. If such applicant 

is in the U.S. as an H-1 or L-1, he or she may be changed to TN status if otherwise eligible, without 

regard to the maximum time limits for those classifications. A Canadian J nonimmigrant who is subject 

to the 2-year foreign residence requirement may not change to TN classification, but may leave the U.S. 

and seek readmission as a TN. 

(8) Request for change/additions of U.S. employers. A Canadian or Mexican citizen may change or add 

employers while in the U.S. through the filing of Form I-129 at the Nebraska Service Center. All 

documentary requirements pertaining to a citizen of Canada or a citizen of Mexico outlined above must 

be met. Employment with a different or with an additional employer is not authorized prior to INS 

approval of the petition. 

Alternatively, the Canadian citizen may depart the United States and apply for reentry for the purpose of 

obtaining additional employment authorization with a new or additional employer. Documentary 

requirements outlined above must be met and the prescribed fee must be remitted upon readmission. 

No action is required by a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is transferred to another location by the 

U.S. employer to perform the same services. An example of such an acceptable transfer would be to a 

branch or office of the employer. If the transfer is to a separately incorporated subsidiary or affiliate, 

Form I-129 must be filed. 

(9) Spouse and unmarried minor children. The spouse and unmarried minor children who are 

accompanying or following to join a TN professional, if otherwise admissible, are to be accorded TD 

(Trade Dependent) classification. These are required to present a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa 

unless otherwise visa-exempt under 8 CFR 212.1. (Those persons who are normally exempt from 

nonimmigrant visa requirements include citizens of Canada and Landed Immigrants of Canada having a 

common nationality with Canadian citizens). 

There is no requirement that the TD dependent be a citizen of Canada or Mexico. 

No fee is required for admission of dependents in TD status (except the fee for the I-94) and they are to 

be issued multiple entry Forms I-94. 

A TD spouse or child is not authorized to accept employment while in the U.S. in such status. 

Dependents in TD status may attend school in the U.S. on a full-time basis as such attendance is 

deemed incident to status. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 53 
(10) Denial. In the event a Canadian citizen applying for admission pursuant to NAFTA cannot demonstrate 

to the admitting officer that he or she satisfies the TN documentary requirements, the Canadian citizen should 

be offered a hearing before an immigration judge provided the applicant is confident he or she, in fact, meets the 

requirements pursuant to the NAFTA, Appendix 1603.D.1 The request for a hearing is equivalent to a TN 

appeal or a reconsideration of the admitting officer’s decision. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 54
SECTION TWO

B-1 Non-immigrant pursuant to NAFTA

8 CFR 214.2(b) - Admission of Aliens Pursuant to NAFTA 55

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.4(b) 58

Requirements for Admission 61

Spouse and children 62

Extension of stay 62

Tour Bus/Transportation Operators Memo 64

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 55 
B-1 Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA 

8 CFR 214.2(b)(4) Admission of aliens pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 

A citizen of Canada or Mexico seeking temporary entry for purposes set forth in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this 

section, who otherwise meets existing requirements under Section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act, including but not 

limited to requirements regarding the source of remuneration, shall be admitted upon presentation of proof of 

such citizenship in the case of Canadian applicants, and valid entry documents such as a passport and visa or 

Mexican Border Crossing Card (Form I-186 or I-586) in the case of Mexican applicants, a description of the 

purpose of entry, and evidence demonstrating that he or she is engaged in one of the occupations or 

professions set forth in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section. Existing requirements, with respect to Canada, are 

those requirements which were in effect at the time of entry into force of the CFTA and, with respect to Mexico, 

are those requirements which were in effect at the time of entry into force of the NAFTA. Additionally, nothing 

shall preclude the admission of a citizen of Mexico or Canada who meets the requirements of paragraph 

(b)(4)(ii) of this section. 

(i) Occupations and professions set forth in Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. 

(A) Research and design. Technical, scientific and statistical researchers conducting independent research or 

research for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

(B) Growth, manufacture and production. 

((1)) Harvester owner supervising a harvesting crew admitted under applicable law. (Applies only to harvesting 

of agricultural crops: grain, fiber, fruit, and vegetables.) 

((2)) Purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions for an enterprise 

located in the territory of another Party. 

(C) Marketing. 

((1)) Market researchers and analysts conducting independent research or analysis, or research or analysis for 

an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

((2)) Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention. 

(D) Sales. 

((1)) Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party but not delivering goods or providing services. 

((2)) Buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

(E) Distribution. 

((1)) Transportation operators transporting goods or passengers to the United States from the territory of 

another Party or loading and transporting goods or passengers from the United States to the territory of another 

Party, with no unloading in the United States, to the territory of another Party. (These operators may make 

deliveries in the United States if all goods or passengers to be delivered were loaded in the territory of another 

Party. Furthermore, they may load from locations in the United States if all goods or passengers to be loaded 

will be delivered in the territory of another Party. Purely domestic service or solicitation, in competition with 

United States operators, is not permitted.) 

((2)) Customs brokers performing brokerage duties associated with the export of goods from the United States 

to or through Canada. 

(F) After-sales service. Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing specialized 

knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform 

services, pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial 

equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside the United 

States, during the life of the warranty or service agreement. (For the purposes of this provision, the commercial 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 56 
or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, must have been manufactured outside the 

United States.) 

(G) General service. 

((1)) Professionals engaging in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix 

1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA, but receiving no salary or other remuneration from a United States 

source (other than an expense allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to the temporary stay) 

and otherwise satisfying the requirements of Section A to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. 

((2)) Management and supervisory personnel engaging in commercial transactions for an enterprise located in 

the territory of another Party. 

((3)) Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaging in commercial 

transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

((4)) Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or participating 

in conventions. 

((5)) Tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators) attending or participating in 

conventions or conducting a tour that has begun in the territory of another Party. (The tour may begin in the 

United States; but must terminate in foreign territory, and a significant portion of the tour must be conducted in 

foreign territory. In such a case, an operator may enter the United States with an empty conveyance and a tour 

guide may enter on his or her own and join the conveyance.) 

((6)) Tour bus operators entering the United States: 

((i)) With a group of passengers on a bus tour that has begun in, and will return to, the territory of another Party. 

((ii)) To meet a group of passengers on a bus tour that will end, and the predominant portion of which will take 

place, in the territory of another Party. 

((iii)) With a group of passengers on a bus tour to be unloaded in the United States and returning with no 

passengers or reloading with the group for transportation to the territory of another Party. 

((7)) Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the territory of 

another Party. 

(ii) Occupations and professions not listed in Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Nothing in this 

paragraph shall preclude a business person engaged in an occupation or profession other than those listed in 

Appendix 1603.A.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA from temporary entry under Section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act, if 

such person otherwise meets the existing requirements for admission as prescribed by the Attorney General. 

(Paragraph (b)(4) revised 1/1/94); 58 FR 69210) 

(5) Construction workers not admissible. Aliens seeking to enter the country to perform building or construction 

work, whether on-site or in-plant, are not eligible for classification or admission as B - 1 non-immigrants under 

section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act. However, alien non-immigrants otherwise qualified as B - 1 non-immigrants 

may be issued visas and may enter for the purpose of supervision or training of others engaged in building or 

construction work, but not for the purpose of actually performing any such building or construction work 

themselves. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 57 
INSPECTORS FIELD MANUAL CHAPTER 15.4 

(b) Visitors. 

(1) Classification: B-1 Visitor for business. 

Documents required: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the period of admission unless 

otherwise provided for or waived. Nonimmigrant B-1 visa unless waived. 

Qualifications: Alien has a residence in a foreign country which he or she does not intend to abandon. 

Subject to all nonimmigrant grounds of inadmissibility. Alien intends to enter the U.S. for a temporary visit 

to engage in legitimate activities relating to business. Applicant has made financial arrangements to carry 

out the purpose of the visit and depart the United States. 

Terms of admission: Maximum admission is 1 year. A B-1 will be admitted for a period of time which is fair 

and reasonable for completion of the purpose of the visit. Extensions are permitted in increments of 6 

months (1 year for missionaries). 

Notations on I-94: B-1 (date to which admitted). If seaman joining vessel, enter vessel name on reverse. 

Special notes: 

(A) Restricted admission period. Arbitrarily small admission periods needlessly increase the volume of 

extension applications and should be avoided. Ordinarily, B-1 admission should be granted for the time 

requested or longer, in order to reduce needless extension requests. 

(B) Determining eligibility. Consider the source of remuneration and also the actual place of accrual of 

profits for services rendered by an alien in determining whether an alien is classifiable as a B-1 (See 

Chapter 15.5 for special NAFTA B-1 instructions). Each of the following has been determined to be 

permissible B-1 activity if the alien is to receive no salary or other remuneration from a U.S. source (other 

than an expense allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to the temporary stay): 

(1) An alien coming to the U.S. to: engage in commercial transactions (i.e., buying or selling) which do 

not involve gainful employment in the US; negotiate contracts; consult with business associates, including 

attending meetings of the Board of Directors of a U.S. corporation; litigate; participate in scientific, 

educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or seminars; or undertake independent 

research; 

(2) An alien coming to engage in activities that would be classifiable under H-3 except that there is no 

U.S. employer involved, and is either studying at a foreign medical school and is seeking to enter the U.S. 

temporarily to taken an "elective clerkship" (practical experience and instruction in the various disciplines of 

the practice of medicine under the supervision and direction of faculty physicians) at a U.S. medical school's 

hospital without remuneration from that hospital or undertaking training at the behest of a foreign employer 

by whom the alien is already employed abroad and from whom the alien will continue to receive his or her 

salary while in training in the United States; 

(3) An alien coming to install, service, or repair commercial or industrial equipment or machinery 

purchased from a company outside the U.S. or to train U.S. workers to perform such services. (However, in 

such cases the contract of sale must specifically require the seller to provide such services or training, and 

the alien must possess specialized knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation to perform the 

services or training and must receive no remuneration from a U.S. source. These provisions do not apply to 

an alien seeking to perform building or construction work, whether on-site or in-plant except for an alien who 

is applying as a B-1 for the purpose of supervising or training other workers engaged in building or 

construction work, but not actually performing any such building or construction work); 

(4) A professional athlete, such as a golfer or tennis player, who receives no salary or payment other 

than prize money for his or her participation in a tournament or sporting event; 

(5) An athlete or team member who seeks to enter the U.S. as a member of a foreign-based team in 

order to compete with another sports team (provided: the foreign athlete and the foreign sports team have 

their principal place of business or activity in a foreign country; the income of the foreign based team and 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 58 
the salary of its players are principally accrued in a foreign country; and the foreign based sports team is a 

member of an international sports league or the sporting activities involved have an international 

dimension); 

(6) An amateur team sports player who is asked to join a professional team during the course of the 

regular professional season or playoffs for brief try-outs (The teams may provide only for such expenses as 

round-trip fare, hotel room, meals, and other try-out transportation costs); 

(7) A professional entertainer coming to: (i) participate only in a cultural program sponsored by the 

sending country; who will be performing before a nonpaying audience; and all of whose expenses, including 

per diem, will be paid by the member's government; or (ii) participate in a competition for which there is no 

remuneration other than a prize (monetary or otherwise) and expenses; 

(8) Crewman of a private yacht, regardless of the nationality of the private yacht, provided the yacht will 

be sailing out of a foreign home port and cruising in U.S. waters; 

(9) An alien coming to perform his or her responsibilities as a "coasting officer" (A coasting officer is 

used when an officer of a foreign vessel is granted home leave while the vessel is in U.S. ports. The vessel 

does not remain in U.S. waters for more than 29 days, and the original officer returns in time to depart with 

the vessel. The coasting officer may then repeat the process with another vessel of the same foreign line); 

(10) An alien seeking investment in the U.S. which would qualify him or her for E-2 status (Such alien 

is precluded from performing productive labor or from actively participating in the management of the 

business prior to being granted E-2 status); 

(11) An alien performing services pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 

1978 (The consular officer will annotate "OCS" on the B-1 visa). Alien construction workers who are 

entering to work from a derrick barge to construct an oil platform on the outer continental shelf are 

considered to man and crew the barge, not the platform. Foreign-owned barges are exempt from the 

requirements of 43 U.S.C. 1356(a)(3) which requires that any vessel, rig, platform, or structure used in 

regulated operations on the outer continental shelf be manned or crewed by U.S. citizens or lawful 

permanent residents. The Immigration and Nationality Act does not apply to aliens who are manning or 

crewing foreign-owned derrick barges on the outer continental shelf. Such aliens passing through the U.S. 

enroute to the outer continental shelf must have an appropriate visa, usually a B-1 visa. (In 1997, the 

Supreme Court denied certification of a D.C. circuit court decision on this issue); 

(12) A personal or domestic servant who is accompanying or following to join a U.S. citizen employer 

who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, and who is visiting the U.S. temporarily, 

provided the employer-employee relationship existed prior to the commencement of the employer's visit to 

the United States; 

(13) A personal or domestic servant who is accompanying or following to join a U.S. citizen employer 

temporarily assigned to the United States (The consular officer will annotate "personal or domestic servant 

of U.S. citizen (employer's name)" on the B-1 visa); 

(14) A personal or domestic servant who is accompanying or following to join a foreign employer who 

seeks admission into or is already in the U.S. in B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or R nonimmigrant status (The 

consular officer will annotate "personal or domestic servant of nonimmigrant alien (employer's name)" on the 

B-1 visa); 

(15) An alien seeking to enter the U.S. for employment with a foreign airline engaged in international 

transportation of passengers and freight in an executive, supervisory, or highly technical capacity who 

meets the requirements for E visa classification but is precluded from entitlement to E classification solely 

because there is no treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation in effect between the U.S. and the 

country of the alien's nationality or because he or she is not a national of the airline's country of nationality; 

(16) An alien coming to perform services on behalf of a foreign based employer as a jockey, sulky 

driver, trainer, or groom (Such alien is not allowed to work for any other employer); 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 59 
(17) An alien coming to open or be employed in a new branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the foreign 

employer, if the alien will become eligible for status as an L-1 upon securing proof of acquisition of physical 

premises; 

(18) An employee of a foreign airline coming to pick-up aircraft if he or she is not transiting the U.S. and 

is not admissible as a crewman (The alien must present a letter from the foreign airline verifying the 

employment and official capacity of the applicant in the United States); 

(19) An alien coming exclusively to observe the conduct of business or other professional or vocational 

activity, provided the alien pays for his or her own expenses; 

(20) An alien coming to participate in any program of furnishing technical information and assistance 

under section 635(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (75 Stat. 424); 

(21) An alien coming to participate in the training of Peace Corps volunteers or coming under contract 

pursuant to sections 9 and 10(a)(4) of the Peace Corps Act (75 Stat. 612), unless the alien qualifies for "A" 

classification; 

(22) An alien coming to participate in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) 

internship program, who is not an employee of a foreign government; 

(23) An alien coming to plan, construct, dismantle, maintain, or be employed in connection with exhibits 

at international fairs or expositions if he or she is an employee of a foreign exhibitor and is not a foreign 

government representative and does not qualify for "A" classification; and 

(24) An alien coming to participate in a voluntary service program benefiting U.S. local communities, 

who establishes that he or she is a member of and has a commitment to a particular recognized religious or 

nonprofit charitable organization and that no salary or remuneration will be paid from a U.S. source, other 

than an allowance or other reimbursement for expenses incidental to the volunteer's stay in the United 

States. (The alien must present to the officer a written statement indicating his or her name, date and place 

of birth, the foreign permanent residence address, the name and address of initial U.S. destination, and 

anticipated duration of assignment). 

(25) An alien employee of an international bridge commission coming to plan, construct, maintain or operate 

bridge facilities at a port of entry within the immediate confines of the bridge area. (Added 9/15/97; IN97-02) 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 60 
Requirements for Admission: 

A citizen of Canada or Mexico seeking temporary entry into the United States to engage in a business activity 

set out in Appendix 1603.A.1 shall be granted temporary entry, if otherwise admissible, on presentation of the 

following: 

(1) proof of citizenship 

(2) documentation demonstrating the activity in which the business person will engage and describing 

the purpose of entry 

(3) the primary source of remuneration is outside of the United States (may be oral declaration) 

(4) the principal place of business and place of accrual of profits is predominantly outside of the United 

States (may be oral declaration) 

The United States shall not require prior approval procedures, petitions, labor certifications or other procedures 

of similar effect or impose or maintain any numerical restriction. 

A Canadian citizen who is determined to be admissible as a visitor for business pursuant to the FTA may be 

admitted as a B-1 for a period of time not to exceed 1 year. A Canadian citizen B-1 who requests documentation 

may be issued an arrival/departure record, Form I-94, in order to facilitate reentry. 

North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Appendix 1603.A.1: Business Visitors 

Research and Design 

• Technical, scientific and statistical researchers conducting independent research or research for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Growth, Manufacture and Production 

• Harvester owner supervising a harvesting crew admitted under applicable law. 

• Purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Marketing 

• Market researchers and analysts conducting independent research or analysis or research or analysis 

for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

• Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention. 

Sales 

• Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services for an 

enterprise located in the territory of another Party but not delivering goods or providing services. 

• Buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

Distribution 

• Transportation operators transporting goods or passengers to the territory of a Party from the territory of 

another Party or loading and transporting goods or passengers from the territory of a Party, with no 

unloading in that territory, to the territory of another Party. 

• With respect to temporary entry into the territory of the United States, Canadian customs brokers 

performing brokerage duties relating to the export of goods from the territory of the United States to or 

through the territory of Canada. 

• With respect to temporary entry into the territory of Canada, United States customs brokers performing 

brokerage duties relating to the export of goods from the territory of Canada to or through the territory of 

the United States. 

• Customs brokers providing consulting services regarding the facilitation of the import or export of goods. 

After Sales Service 

• Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, possessing specialized knowledge 

essential to a seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform services, 

pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial 

equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside the 

territory of the Party into which temporary entry is sought, during the life of the warranty or service 

agreement. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 61 
General Service 

• Professionals engaging in a business activity at a professional level in a profession set out in Appendix 

1603.D.1. 

• Management and supervisory personnel engaging in a commercial transaction for an enterprise located 

in the territory of another Party. 

• Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaging in commercial 

transactions for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party. 

• Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or 

participating in conventions. 

• Tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators) attending or participating in 

conventions or conducting a tour that has begun in the territory of another Party. 

• Tour bus operators entering the territory of a Party: 

(a) with a group of passengers on a bus tour that has begun in, and will return to, the territory of 

another Party; 

(b) to meet a group of passengers on a bus tour that will end, and the predominant portion of which 

will take place, in the territory of another Party; or 

(c) with a group of passengers on a bus tour to be unloaded in the territory of the Party into which 

temporary entry is sought, and returning with no passengers or reloading with the group for 

transportation to the territory of another Party. 

• Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise located in the territory of 

another Party. 

Definitions 

For purposes of this Appendix:

territory of another Party means the territory of a Party other than the territory of the Party into which

temporary entry is sought;

tour bus operator means a natural person, including relief personnel accompanying or following to join,

necessary for the operation of a tour bus for the duration of a trip; and

transportation operator means a natural person, other than a tour bus operator, including relief personnel

accompanying or following to join, necessary for the operation of a vehicle for the duration of a trip.

This appendix represents a list of business activities representative of a complete business cycle in which a B-1

business visitor seeking entry under NAFTA may engage. It is not an exhaustive list and nothing precludes a

citizen of Mexico or Canada from seeking entry to engage in traditional B-1 activities which are not included

within Appendix 1603.A.1.

Spouse and Children 

The spouse and unmarried minor children of a Canadian or Mexican citizen classifiable under the FTA as B-1, 

shall be admitted as B-2 provided they meet all existing requirements under section 212(a) of the Act. The B-2 

spouse and children shall be admitted for a period of time commensurate with that of the B-1, not to exceed one 

year. The spouse and children shall be eligible for an extension of temporary stay and shall be included in the 

application for extension filed by the B-1. 

Extension of Stay 

A B-1 visitor for business may be admitted for not more than one year and may be granted extensions of 

temporary stay in increments of not more than six months each. 

Filing on Form I-539: A B-1 nonimmigrant alien, who seeks to extend his or her stay beyond the currently 

authorized period of admission, must apply for an extension of stay on Form I-539 with the fee required in 8 

CFR 103.7 of this chapter (currently $120, effective 10/13/99), together with any initial evidence specified in the 

applicable provisions of 8 CFR 214.2, and on the application form. The B-1 nonimmigrant may include his 

spouse and/or children on a single Form I-539. Extensions granted to members of a family group must be for 

the same period of time. 

Timely filing and maintenance of status. An extension of stay may not be approved for an applicant who 

failed to maintain the previously accorded status or where such status expired before the application or petition 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 62 
was filed, except that failure to file before the period of previously authorized status expired may be excused in 

the discretion of the Service and without separate application, with any extension granted from the date the 

previously authorized stay expired, where it is demonstrated at the time of filing that: 

(i) The delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner, and 

the Service finds the delay commensurate with the circumstances; 

(ii) The alien has not otherwise violated his or her nonimmigrant status; 

(iii) The alien remains a bona fide nonimmigrant; and 

(iv) The alien is not the subject of deportation proceedings under section 242 of the Act (prior to April 1, 

1997) or removal proceedings under section 240 of the Act. 

Decision in Form I-539 extension proceedings. Where an applicant or petitioner demonstrates eligibility for a 

requested extension, it may be granted at the discretion of the Service. There is no appeal from the denial of an 

application for extension of stay filed on Form I-129 or I-539. 

Termination of status. Within the period of initial admission or extension of stay, the nonimmigrant status of an 

alien shall be terminated by the revocation of a waiver authorized on his or her behalf under section 212(d)(3) or 

(4) of the Act; by the introduction of a private bill to confer permanent resident status on such alien; or, pursuant 

to notification in the Federal Register, on the basis of national security, diplomatic, or public safety reasons. 

Employment. A nonimmigrant in the United States in a class defined in section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act as a 

temporary visitor for pleasure may not engage in any employment. 

False information. A condition of a non-immigrant's admission and continued stay in the United States is the 

full and truthful disclosure of all information requested by the Service. Willful failure by a nonimmigrant to 

provide full and truthful information requested by the Service (regardless of whether or not the information 

requested was material) constitutes a failure to maintain nonimmigrant status under section 241(a)(1)(C)(i) of 

the Act. 

Criminal activity. A condition of a non-immigrant's admission and continued stay in the United States is 

obedience to all laws of United States jurisdictions which prohibit the commission of crimes of violence and for 

which a sentence of more than one year imprisonment may be imposed. A nonimmigrant's conviction in a 

jurisdiction in the United States for a crime of violence for which a sentence of more than one year imprisonment 

may be imposed (regardless of whether such sentence is in fact imposed) constitutes a failure to maintain status 

under section 241(a)(1)(C)(i) of the Act. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 63 
U.S. Department of Justice 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

HQ 70/6.2.2-C 

HQ70/13.1;HQ70/21.11 

425 1 Street NW 

Washington, DC 20536 

JUL 2 1998 

MEMORANDUM FOR: All Regional Directors 

Director, Office of International Affairs 

FROM: Michael A. Pearson 

Executive Associate Commissioner 

Office of Field Operations 

SUBJECT: Tour Bus Operators and Other Transportation Operators Applying for Admission 

as B- I Visitors. for Business 

Questions have been raised in recent years with respect to the admission of tour bus operators 

and other transportation operators as visitors for business (nonimmigrant classification B-1) under INS 

regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(b)(4)(1) and (11). This memo is to provide guidance in determining whether 

tour bus operators or other transportation operators are admissible into the United States as B- I visitors 

for business. 

Questions Reviewed by Headquarters: 

I . Whether Canadian and Mexican tour bus drivers are admissible as visitors for business 

(nonimmigrant visa classification B- 1) under Chapter 16 of the NAFTA and INS regulations relating to 

'tour bus operators' under the "General Service" provisions at 8 CFR 214.2(b)(4)(1)(G)(6), when the trip 

is an international tour, but the beginning and end of the trip is. in the United States. 

2. If not admissible as 'tour bus operators' under the provisions at 8 CFR 

214.2(b)(4)(1)(G)(6), whether these drivers are admissible as B- I visitors for business under the 

regulations relating to 'transportation operators I under the "Distribution" provisions at 8 CFR 2 

14.2(b)(4)(1)(E)( 1), or whether this kind of trip constitutes point-to-point hauling. 

3. If not admissible as 'tour bus operators' under the regulations at 8 CFR 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 64 
Memorandum for Regional Directors/ Director, HQOIA Page 2 

Subject : Tour Bus/Transportation Operators Applying for Admission as B- I Visitors 

2 14.2(b)(4)(1), whether these drivers are admissible under the general "B" provisions of section 10 1 

(a)(1 5)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), INS regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(b)(4)(11), and 

relating precedent decisions. 

Specific commitments to the North American Free Trade Agreement (the NAFTA) and the 

general-B- I provisions: 

Chapter 16 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (the NAFTA) provides for the admission 

of four categories of business persons into the three Party countries. Section A of Annex 1603 of the 

NAFTA provides for the admission of business visitors seeking to engage in a business activity set forth in 

Appendix 1603.A. 1. The United States chose to meet its commitments to admit Canadian and Mexican 

business visitors under Section A of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA through existing law under section 10 1 

(a)( I 5)(B) of the INA., 

INS promulgated regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(b)(4) to incorporate the provisions of Appendix 

1603.A. I and provide for the admission of citizens of Canada and Mexico as business visitors in B- I 

nonimmigrant classification pursuant to paragraph I of Section A of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. The 

business -activities set forth in Appendix 1603. A. I are permissible business activities under current 

United States law and practice under section 10 l(a)(l 5)(B) of the INA. Entry pursuant to paragraph 3 of 

Section A for business activities not covered 'in Appendix 1603, A. I are otherwise authorized under 

section 10 1 (a)( I 5)(B) and required no regulatory changes for implementation. 

Note that the acceptable activities for so-called 'NAFTA B- I nommmigrants' duplicate those 

allowed for all B- I visa holders under current INS regulations, such as research and design, warranty or 

service contract work, or delivering products. The Appendix 1603.A. I is, therefore, a list of business 

activities representative of a complete business cycle in which a B- I business visitor seeking entry under 

the NAFTA may engage. The activities listed in the Appendix were added at the request of the 

Governments of Canada and Mexico for clarification. 

The Appendix is not, however, intended to be a complete listing of all business visitor activities. 

Nor do these activities expand or alter in any way the scope of the B- I nonimmigrant visa classification. 

Nothing under the statute, regulations, or operations instructions precludes a citizen of Mexico or Canada 

from seeking entry to engage in acceptable B- I activities which are not included within Appendix 1603. A. 

1, provided they meet all requirements for entry in such classification, including restrictions on the source 

of remuneration. The traditional legal principles governing admission of B- I nonimmigrants apply, whether 

the business activities are included in the Appendix or not. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 65 
Memorandum for Regional Directors/ Director, HQOIA Page 3 

Subject Tour Bus/Transportation Operators Applying for Admission as B- I Visitors 

INS position: 

The INS position is that alien bus drivers in all three of the questions above are admissible to the 

United States as visitors for business (13- 1) under INS regulations at 8 CFR 2 14.2(b)(4)(1) and/or (11), 

if otherwise admissible to the United States. This position is based upon statute, regulations, precedent 

decisions and opinions issued by the Office of General Counsel on similar issues, including the issue of 

cabotage or point-to-point loading and delivery in the United States. Rather than present officers with an 

exhaustive analysis of all sources, this memo condenses them into the following principles. 

1. An alien admitted as a B- I nonimmigrant may not engage in any activity that 

qualifies as ordinary labor for hire. See Section 101(a)(15)(B) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 

I 10 1 (a)( I 5)(B). 

The operator of a transportation vehicle (e.g., truck, bus, etc.) may be admitted as a B- I 

nonimmigrant in order to transport goods or passengers in international Commerce. See Matter of 

Camilleri, 17 1 & N Dec. 441 (BIA 1980) and Matter of Cote, 17 1 & N Dec. 336 (BIA 1980). 

The operator's permissible activities are limited to activities that are "necessary 

incidents" of international commerce. Ordinary cabotage (that is, carrying goods or passengers picked 

up at one point in the United States and dropped off at another point in the United States) is not a 

"necessary incident" of international commerce. A B- I nonimmigrant may not engage in cabotage. See 

Greyhound Lines, Inc., v. INS, No. 95-1608 (NHJ), Memorandum Opinion (D.D.C. Filed 10/23/95), 1995 

WL 663185. 

4. Where a bus tour involves international commerce, that is the tour takes place primarily 

in a foreign country, driving a tour bus (or acting as an escort or guide) that takes a tour from the United 

States into Canada or Mexico and back to the United States is considered to be a necessary incident of 

international commerce. A B- I nonimmigrant, therefore, may engage 'in these activities. See Matter of 

Hira, I&N Dec. 824 (BIA 1965, 1966 A G. 1966), 

Summary 

The Service's opinion is the same whether the issue is analyzed under the general principles of B- I law or 

under the NAFTA. The NAFTA regulations at 8 CFR 2 14 2(b)(4)(O(G)(6) clearly permit B- I tour bus 

drivers to take the tour group from the United States into Canada or Mexico, By its terms, (G)(6) appears 

to require that the tour group end its tour in Canada or Mexico. But another NAFTA provision, 8 CFR 

214.2(b)(4)(i)(E)(1), permits a B-1 transportation operator to transport passengers from Canada or Mexico 

into the United States. Since (G)(6) and (E)(1) are not written so as to operate in isolation of each other, a 

B- I nonimmigrant may, as a necessary incident of international commerce, work on the tour bus. Where 

time spent in Canada or Mexico is so minimal that the tour actually does not involve international 

commerce, however, the B- I is not an acceptable classification for the transportation/tour bus operator. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 66 
Memorandum for Regional Directors/ Director, HQOIA Page 4 

Subject Tour Bus/Transportation Operators Applying for Admission as B- I Visitors 

The rule against cabotage must always be observed. Thus, while the tour bus is on its way to Canada or 

Mexico, the tour bus cannot discharge in the United States passengers picked up in the United States. Similarly, 

on its way back, the tour bus cannot pick up in the United States any additional passengers who will alight in the 

United States. 

Although the NAFTA is a reciprocal agreement, individual decisions on admissibility should not be based upon 

reported refusals of United States citizens into Canada or Mexico. Rather, any such incidents of reported 

refusals of United States citizens should be reported to HQOPS Adjudications Branch. 

Please be advised that this memo provides guidance about transportation operators in general. It is not meant 

to be exhaustive, and there may be other types of transportation scenarios that inspecting officials will 

encounter at Ports-of-Entry. 

Please forward this memorandum to all District Directors, Officers-in-Charge and Port Directors for distribution 

to all offices under their jurisdiction. If you have any questions regarding this memorandum, contact Helen 

deThomas, HQOPS, at (202) 514-5014. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 67 
SECTION THREE 

E-1 & E-2 Nonimmigrant pursuant to

NAFTA

8 CFR 212.2(e) 69

OI 214.2(e) 75

63 FR 67135, Notice of Location of Filing Petitions 76

Inspectors Field Manual 15.4(e) 78

Requirements for Admission 79

Spouse and children 80

Extension of Stay 81

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 68 
 8 CFR Sec. 214.2(e) Treaty Traders and Investors --

(1) Treaty trader. An alien, if otherwise admissible, may be classified as a nonimmigrant treaty trader (E-1) 

under the provisions of section 101(a)(15)(E)(i) of the Act if the alien: 

(i) Will be in the United States solely to carry on trade of a substantial nature, which is international in 

scope, either on the alien's behalf or as an employee of a foreign person or organization engaged in 

trade principally between the United States and the treaty country of which the alien is a national, taking 

into consideration any conditions in the country of which the alien is a national which may affect the 

alien's ability to carry on such substantial trade; and 

(ii) Intends to depart the United States upon the expiration or termination of treaty trader (E-1) status. 

(2) Treaty investor. An alien, if otherwise admissible, may be classified as a nonimmigrant treaty investor (E-2) 

under the provision of section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) of the Act if the alien: 

(i) Has invested or is actively in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital in a bona fide 

enterprise in the United States, as distinct from a relatively small amount of capital in a marginal 

enterprise solely for the purpose of earning a living; 

(ii) Is seeking entry solely to develop and direct the enterprise; and 

(iii) Intends to depart the United States upon the expiration or termination of treaty investor (E-2) status. 

(3) Employee of treaty trader or treaty investor. An alien employee of a treaty trader, if otherwise admissible, 

may be classified as E-1, and an alien employee of a treaty investor, if otherwise admissible, may be classified 

as E-2 if the employee is in or is coming to the United States to engage in duties of an executive or supervisory 

character, or, if employed in a lesser capacity, the employee has special qualifications that make the alien's 

services essential to the efficient operation of the enterprise. The employee must have the same nationality as 

the principal alien employer. In addition, the employee must intend to depart the United States upon the 

expiration or termination of E-1 or E-2 status. The principal alien employer must be: 

(i) A person in the United States having the nationality of the treaty country and maintaining 

nonimmigrant treaty trader or treaty investor status or, if not in the United States, would be classifiable 

as a treaty trader or treaty investor; or 

(ii) An enterprise or organization at least 50 percent owned by persons in the United States having the 

nationality of the treaty country and maintaining nonimmigrant treaty trader or treaty investor status or 

who, if not in the United States, would be classifiable as treaty traders or treaty investors. 

(4) Spouse and children of treaty trader or treaty investor. The spouse and child of a treaty trader or treaty 

investor accompanying or following to join the principal alien, if otherwise admissible, may receive the same 

classification as the principal alien. The nationality of a spouse or child of a treaty trader or treaty investor is not 

material to the classification of the spouse or child under the provisions of section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. 

(Corrected 11/6/97; 62 FR 60122) 

(5) Nonimmigrant intent. An alien classified under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act shall maintain an intention to 

depart the United States upon the expiration or termination of E-1 or E-2 status. However, an application for 

initial admission, change of status, or extension of stay in E classification may not be denied solely on the basis 

of an approved request for permanent labor certification or a filed or approved immigrant visa preference 

petition. 

(6) Treaty country. A treaty country is, for purposes of this section, a foreign state with which a qualifying Treaty 

of Friendship, Commerce, or Navigation or its equivalent exists with the United States. A treaty country includes 

a foreign state that is accorded treaty visa privileges under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act by specific 

legislation. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 69 
(7) Treaty country nationality. The nationality of an individual treaty trader or treaty investor is determined by the 

authorities of the foreign state of which the alien is a national. In the case of an enterprise or organization, 

ownership must be traced as best as is practicable to the individuals who are ultimately its owners. 

(8) Terms and conditions of E treaty status-(i) Limitations on employment. The Service determines the terms 

and conditions of E treaty status at the time of admission or approval of a request to change nonimmigrant 

status to E classification. A treaty trader, treaty investor, or treaty employee may engage only in employment 

which is consistent with the terms and conditions of his or her status and the activity forming the basis for the E 

treaty status. 

(ii) Subsidiary employment. Treaty employees may perform work for the parent treaty organization or enterprise, 

or any subsidiary of the parent organization or enterprise. Performing work for subsidiaries of a common parent 

enterprise or organization will not be deemed to constitute a substantive change in the terms and conditions of 

the underlying E treaty employment if, at the time the E treaty status was determined, the applicant presented 

evidence establishing: 

(A) The enterprise or organization, and any subsidiaries thereof, where the work will be performed; the 

requisite parent-subsidiary relationship; and that the subsidiary independently qualifies as a treaty 

organization or enterprise under this paragraph; 

(B) In the case of an employee of a treaty trader or treaty investor, the work to be performed requires 

executive, supervisory, or essential skills; and 

(C) The work is consistent with the terms and conditions of the activity forming the basis of the 

classification. 

(iii) Substantive changes. Prior Service approval must be obtained where there will be a substantive change in 

the terms or conditions of E status. In such cases, a treaty alien must file a new application on Form I-129 and E 

supplement, in accordance with the instructions on that form, requesting extension of stay in the United States. 

In support of an alien's Form I-129 application, the treaty alien must submit evidence of continued eligibility for E 

classification in the new capacity. Alternatively, the alien must obtain from a consular officer a visa reflecting the 

new terms and conditions and subsequently apply for admission at a port-of-entry. The Service will deem there 

to have been a substantive change necessitating the filing of a new Form I-129 application in cases where there 

has been a fundamental change in the employing entity's basic characteristics, such as a merger, acquisition, or 

sale of the division where the alien is employed. 

(iv) Non-substantive changes. Prior approval is not required, and there is no need to file a new Form I-129, if 

there is no substantive, or fundamental, change in the terms or conditions of the alien's employment which 

would affect the alien's eligibility for E classification. Further, prior approval is not required if corporate changes 

occur which do not affect the previously approved employment relationship, or are otherwise non-substantive. 

To facilitate admission, the alien may: 

(A) Present a letter from the treaty-qualifying company through which the alien attained E classification 

explaining the nature of the change; 

(B) Request a new Form I-797, Approval Notice, reflecting the non-substantive change by filing with the 

appropriate Service Center Form I-129, with fee, and a complete description of the change, or; 

(C) Apply directly to State for a new E visa reflecting the change. An alien who does not elect one of the 

three options contained in paragraph (e)(8)(iv) (A) through (C) of this section, is not precluded from 

demonstrating to the satisfaction of the immigration officer at the port-of-entry in some other manner, his 

or her admissibility under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. 

(v) Advice. To ascertain whether a change is substantive, an alien may file with the Service Center Form I-129, 

with fee, and a complete description of the change, to request appropriate advice. In cases involving multiple 

employees, an alien may request that a Service Center determine if a merger or other corporate restructuring 

requires the filing of separate applications by filing a single Form I-129, with fee, and attaching a list of the 

related receipt numbers for the employees involved and an explanation of the change or changes. Where 

employees are located within multiple jurisdictions, such a request for advice must be filed with the Service 

Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 70 
(vi) Approval. If an application to change the terms and conditions of E status or employment is approved, the 

Service shall notify the applicant on Form I-797. An extension of stay in nonimmigrant E classification may be 

granted for the validity of the approved application. The alien is not authorized to begin the new employment 

until the application is approved. Employment is authorized only for the period of time the alien remains in the 

United States. If the alien subsequently departs from the United States, readmission in E classification may be 

authorized where the alien presents his or her unexpired E visa together with the Form I-797, Approval Notice, 

indicating Service approval of a change of employer or of a change in the substantive terms or conditions of 

treaty status or employment in E classification, or, in accordance with 22 CFR 41.112(d), where the alien is 

applying for readmission after an absence not exceeding 30 days solely in contiguous territory. 

(vii) An unauthorized change of employment to a new employer will constitute a failure to maintain status within 

the meaning of section 237(a)(1)(C)(i) of the Act. In all cases where the treaty employee will be providing 

services to a subsidiary under this paragraph, the subsidiary is required to comply with the terms of 8 CFR part 

274a. 

(9) Trade-definitions. For purposes of this paragraph: 

Items of trade include but are not limited to goods, services, international banking, insurance, monies, 

transportation, communications, data processing, advertising, accounting, design and engineering, management 

consulting, tourism, technology and its transfer, and some news-gathering activities. For purposes of this 

paragraph, goods are tangible commodities or merchandise having extrinsic value. Further, as used in this 

paragraph, services are legitimate economic activities which provide other than tangible goods. 

Trade is the existing international exchange of items of trade for consideration between the United States and 

the treaty country. Existing trade includes successfully negotiated contracts binding upon the parties which call 

for the immediate exchange of items of trade. Domestic trade or the development of domestic markets without 

international exchange does not constitute trade for purposes of section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. This exchange 

must be traceable and identifiable. Title to the trade item must pass from one treaty party to the other. 

(10) Substantial trade. Substantial trade is an amount of trade sufficient to ensure a continuous flow of 

international trade items between the United States and the treaty country. This continuous flow contemplates 

numerous transactions over time. Treaty trader status may not be established or maintained on the basis of a 

single transaction, regardless of how protracted or monetarily valuable the transaction. Although the monetary 

value of the trade item being exchanged is a relevant consideration, greater weight will be given to more 

numerous exchanges of larger value. There is no minimum requirement with respect to the monetary value or 

volume of each individual transaction. In the case of smaller businesses, an income derived from the value of 

numerous transactions which is sufficient to support the treaty trader and his or her family constitutes a 

favorable factor in assessing the existence of substantial trade. 

(11) Principal trade. Principal trade between the United States and the treaty country exists when over 50 

percent of the volume of international trade of the treaty trader is conducted between the United States and the 

treaty country of the treaty trader's nationality. 

(12) Investment. An investment is the treaty investor's placing of capital, including funds and other assets (which 

have not been obtained, directly or indirectly, through criminal activity), at risk in the commercial sense with the 

objective of generating a profit. The treaty investor must be in possession of and have control over the capital 

invested or being invested. The capital must be subject to partial or total loss if investment fortunes reverse. 

Such investment capital must be the investor's unsecured personal business capital or capital secured by 

personal assets. Capital in the process of being invested or that has been invested must be irrevocably 

committed to the enterprise. The alien has the burden of establishing such irrevocable commitment. The alien 

may use any legal mechanism available, such as the placement of invested funds in escrow pending admission 

in, or approval of, E classification, that would not only irrevocably commit funds to the enterprise, but might also 

extend personal liability protection to the treaty investor in the event the application for E classification is denied. 

(13) Bona fide enterprise. The enterprise must be a real, active, and operating commercial or entrepreneurial 

undertaking which produces services or goods for profit. The enterprise must meet applicable legal 

requirements for doing business in the particular jurisdiction in the United States. 

(14) Substantial amount of capital. A substantial amount of capital constitutes an amount which is: 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 71 
(i) Substantial in relationship to the total cost of either purchasing an established enterprise or creating the type 

of enterprise under consideration; 

(ii) Sufficient to ensure the treaty investor's financial commitment to the successful operation of the enterprise; 

and 

(iii) Of a magnitude to support the likelihood that the treaty investor will successfully develop and direct the 

enterprise. Generally, the lower the cost of the enterprise, the higher, proportionately, the investment must be to 

be considered a substantial amount of capital. 

(15) Marginal enterprise. For purposes of this section, an enterprise may not be marginal. A marginal enterprise 

is an enterprise that does not have the present or future capacity to generate more than enough income to 

provide a minimal living for the treaty investor and his or her family. An enterprise that does not have the 

capacity to generate such income, but that has a present or future capacity to make a significant economic 

contribution is not a marginal enterprise. The projected future income-generating capacity should generally be 

realizable within 5 years from the date the alien commences the normal business activity of the enterprise. 

(16) Solely to develop and direct. An alien seeking classification as a treaty investor (or, in the case of an 

employee of a treaty investor, the owner of the treaty enterprise) must demonstrate that he or she does or will 

develop and direct the investment enterprise. Such an applicant must establish that he or she controls the 

enterprise by demonstrating ownership of at least 50 percent of the enterprise, by possessing operational 

control through a managerial position or other corporate device, or by other means. 

(17) Executive and supervisory character. The applicant's position must be principally and primarily, as opposed 

to incidentally or collaterally, executive or supervisory in nature. Executive and supervisory duties are those 

which provide the employee ultimate control and responsibility for the enterprise's overall operation or a major 

component thereof. In determining whether the applicant has established possession of the requisite control and 

responsibility, a Service officer shall consider, where applicable: 

(i) That an executive position is one which provides the employee with great authority to determine the policy of, 

and the direction for, the enterprise; 

(ii) That a position primarily of supervisory character provides the employee supervisory responsibility for a 

significant proportion of an enterprise's operations and does not generally involve the direct supervision of lowlevel employees, and; 

(iii) Whether the applicant possesses executive and supervisory skills and experience; a salary and position title 

commensurate with executive or supervisory employment; recognition or indicia of the position as one of 

authority and responsibility in the overall organizational structure; responsibility for making discretionary 

decisions, setting policies, directing and managing business operations, supervising other professional and 

supervisory personnel; and that, if the position requires some routine work usually performed by a staff 

employee, such functions may only be of an incidental nature. 

(18) Special qualifications. Special qualifications are those skills and/or aptitudes that an employee in a lesser 

capacity brings to a position or role that are essential to the successful or efficient operation of the treaty 

enterprise. In determining whether the skills possessed by the alien are essential to the operation of the 

employing treaty enterprise, a Service officer must consider, where applicable: 

(i) The degree of proven expertise of the alien in the area of operations involved; whether others possess the 

applicant's specific skill or aptitude; the length of the applicant's experience and/or training with the treaty 

enterprise; the period of training or other experience necessary to perform effectively the projected duties; the 

relationship of the skill or knowledge to the enterprise's specific processes or applications, and the salary the 

special qualifications can command; that knowledge of a foreign language and culture does not, by itself, meet 

the special qualifications requirement, and; 

(ii) Whether the skills and qualifications are readily available in the United States. In all cases, in determining 

whether the applicant possesses special qualifications which are essential to the treaty enterprise, a Service 

officer must take into account all the particular facts presented. A skill that is essential at one point in time may 

become commonplace at a later date. Skills that are needed to start up an enterprise may no longer be 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 72 
essential after initial operations are complete and running smoothly. Some skills are essential only in the shortterm for the training of locally hired employees. Under certain circumstances, an applicant may be able to 

establish his or her essentiality to the treaty enterprise for a longer period of time, such as, in connection with 

activities in the areas of product improvement, quality control, or the provision of a service not yet generally 

available in the United States. Where the treaty enterprise's need for the applicant's special qualifications, and 

therefore, the applicant's essentiality, is time-limited, Service officers may request that the applicant provide 

evidence of the period for which skills will be needed and a reasonable projected date for completion of start-up 

or replacement of the essential skilled workers. 

(19) Period of admission. Periods of admission are as follows: 

(i) A treaty trader or treaty investor may be admitted for an initial period of not more than 2 years. 

(ii) The spouse and minor children accompanying or following to join a treaty trader or treaty investor shall be 

admitted for the period during which the principal alien is in valid treaty trader or investor status. The temporary 

departure from the United States of the principal trader or investor shall not affect the derivative status of the 

dependent spouse and minor unmarried children, provided the familial relationship continues to exist and the 

principal remains eligible for admission as an E nonimmigrant to perform the activity. 

(iii) Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, an alien shall not be admitted in E classification for a period of 

time extending more than 6 months beyond the expiration date of the alien's passport. 

(20) Extensions of stay. Requests for extensions of stay may be granted in increments of not more than 2 years. 

A treaty trader or treaty investor in valid E status may apply for an extension of stay by filing an application for 

extension of stay on Form I-129 and E Supplement, with required accompanying documents, in accordance with 

§ 214.1 and the instructions on that form. 

(i) For purposes of eligibility for an extension of stay, the alien must prove that he or she: 

(A) Has at all times maintained the terms and conditions of his or her E nonimmigrant classification; 

(B) Was physically present in the United States at the time of filing the application for extension of stay; and 

(C) Has not abandoned his or her extension request. 

(ii) With limited exceptions, it is presumed that employees of treaty enterprises with special qualifications who 

are responsible for start-up operations should be able to complete their objectives within 2 years. Absent special 

circumstances, therefore, such employees will not be eligible to obtain an extension of stay. 

(iii) Subject to paragraph (e)(5) of this section and the presumption noted in paragraph (e)(22)(ii) of this section, 

there is no specified number of extensions of stay that a treaty trader or treaty investor may be granted. 

(21) Change of nonimmigrant status. (i) An alien in another valid nonimmigrant status may apply for change of 

status to E classification by filing an application for change of status on Form I-129 and E Supplement, with 

required accompanying documents establishing eligibility for a change of status and E classification, in 

accordance with 8 CFR part 248 and the instructions on Form I-129 and E Supplement. 

(ii) The spouse or minor children of an applicant seeking a change of status to that of treaty trader or treaty 

investor alien shall file concurrent applications for change of status to derivative treaty classification on the 

appropriate Service form. Applications for derivative treaty status shall: 

(A) Be approved only if the principal treaty alien is granted treaty alien status and continues to maintain that 

status; 

(B) Be approved for the period of admission authorized in paragraph (e)(20) of this section. 

(22) Denial of treaty trader or treaty investor status to citizens of Canada or Mexico in the case of certain labor 

disputes. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 73 
(i) A citizen of Canada or Mexico may be denied E treaty trader or treaty investor status as described in section 

101(a)(15)(E) of the Act and section B of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA if: 

(A) The Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or other labor dispute 

involving a work stoppage of workers in the alien's occupational classification is in progress at the place where 

the alien is or intends to be employed; and 

(B) Temporary entry of that alien may affect adversely either: 

(1) The settlement of any labor dispute that is in progress at the place or intended place of employment, or 

(2) The employment of any person who is involved in such dispute. 

(ii) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States and is participating in a strike or other 

labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or other labor dispute has been 

certified by the Secretary of Labor, or whether the Service has been otherwise informed that such a strike or 

labor dispute is in progress, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain his or her status solely on 

account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of 

workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions: 

(A) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and 

regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other E nonimmigrants; and 

(B) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of 

his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers. 

(iii) Although participation by an E nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work 

stoppage of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who 

remains in the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation. 

(iv) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or 

other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (e)(22)(i) of this section, or the Service has not otherwise 

been informed by the Secretary that such a strike or labor dispute is in progress, the Commissioner shall not 

deny entry to an applicant for E status. 

(Paragraph (e) revised effective 11/12/97; 62 FR 48138) (Paragraph (e)(8) corrected 9/25/97; 62 FR 50435) 

(Paragraph (e)(22) revised 1/9/98; 63 FR 1331) 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 74 
OI 214.2(e) Traders and investors. 

The provisions of section 101(a) (15) (E) (i) apply to nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Borneo, 

China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, 

Greece, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, 

Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Spain, Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, Switzerland, Thailand, 

Togo, Turkey, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia. The 

provisions of section 101(a) (15) (E) (ii) apply only to nationals of Argentina, Austria, Belgium, China, Colombia, 

Costa Rica, Ethiopia, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liberia, 

Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Spain, Sultanate of Muscat and 

Oman, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vietnam, and 

Yugoslavia. (TM 7/86) 

The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Nicaragua was 

terminated, effective May 1, 1986. Accordingly, no Nicaragua national who held E-1 or E-2 status pursuant to 

that treaty is eligible for an extension of stay beyond May 1, 1986, nor is any Nicaraguan national eligible for 

admission to the United States, or to readmission after an absence from this country, as an E-1 or E-2 

nonimmigrant. (TM 7/86) 

A qualified technician may be classified as a treaty trader under section 101(a) (15) (E) (i) if he is a national of 

a treaty country and is to be employed by a firm, at least 50% of which is owned by nationals of that country, 

which is engaged in a substantial volume of trade principally between the United States and the treaty country, 

he will be engaged in performing warranty repairs on intricate and complex products sold in the course of trade 

between the United States and that country, and it appears the firm is otherwise unable to obtain the services of 

technicians in the United States to perform such repairs. When granting an extension of stay to such a 

technician, or when granting a change of status to that of a treaty trader to such a technician, the employing firm 

shall be advised that the action has been taken with the understanding that the employer will utilize United 

States citizens or permanent resident aliens in the performance of the warranty repairs, as such persons 

become available to make the repairs or are to be trained in making such repairs. When the employing firm has 

been so notified, the alien's Form I-539 should be noted to so indicate. If the alien should subsequently apply 

for a further extension of stay, the adjudicator shall determine what steps the firm has taken to train or employ 

resident United States workers to perform warranty repairs. The extension should not be granted if it appears 

the firm has failed to make serious efforts to comply with the notification. (TM 7.86) 

In general, when an alien who has been granted E-1 or E-2 classification applies for extension of temporary 

stay, the description of the applicant's duties shown on the accompanying form I-126 will be examined closely. 

If there is doubt regarding the accuracy of the description, an adjudicator shall make appropriate inquiry. The 

application should be denied if the applicant's duties are not executive, managerial, or supervisory in nature or if 

the applicant does not bare special qualifications necessary for the firm's efficient operation. 

An alien employed by a foreign person may not be classified as an E-1 or E-2 nonimmigrant unless the 

foreign employer is also classified as an E-1 or E-2 nonimmigrant. If abroad, the employer must be eligible for 

admission to the United States as an E-1 or E-2 nonimmigrant. If the employer is a corporation or other 

business organization, the majority ownership (at least 50 percent) of the business must be by aliens who are of 

the same nationality as the employee and who, if not resident abroad, are maintaining status under section 

101(a) (15) (E). An alien who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States does not qualify to bring 

employees into the United States under section 101(a) 915) (E). Shares of a business owned by lawful 

permanent aliens cannot be considered in making determinations of majority ownership by nationals of the 

treaty country. (TM 7/86) 

While the Service is not in a position to authorize the nonimmigrant E spouse and children of a treaty trader or 

treaty investor to accept employment, they will not be deemed to have violated status if they do so; and so long 

as the principal E nonimmigrant is maintaining status, no action will be taken to require their departure. 

The notes to 22 CFR 41.40 and 41.41 in Volume 9--Visas, Foreign Affairs Manual, contain information 

concerning the various treaties of trade entered into by the United States, and important information concerning 

certain limitations of treaty provisions. These notes must be consulted when considering matters involving 

treaty traders and investors. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 75 
DOCUMENT NUMBER: FR 83-98 

FEDERAL REGISTER CITE: 63 FR 67135 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: December 4, 1998 

BILLING CODE 4410-10 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

[INS 1938-98] 

Filing of Applications and Petitions for Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor (E) and Alien Entrepreneur 

(EB-5) Classification 

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice. 

ACTION: Notice of location of filing petitions and applications. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) is directing all 

petitions and applications related to classification as a treaty trader (E-1), treaty investor (E-2), or alien 

entrepreneur (EB-5) to be filed at the newly defined jurisdictional areas of either the Texas Service Center or the 

California Service Center. This action is necessary to provide more effective monitoring and control of these 

often complex, time-consuming adjudications. 

DATES: This notice is effective December 4, 1998. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katharine Auchincloss-Lorr, Adjudications Officer, Immigration 

and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW, Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-5014. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What Change is the Service Announcing Through the Publication of This Document? 

Until this time, treaty trader and treaty investment applications and alien entrepreneur petitions have 

been processed at the four Service Centers located in California, Vermont, Texas, and Nebraska. With the 

publication of this notice, pursuant to 8 CFR 103.1 and 103.2, the Service is consolidating all petitions and 

applications relating to classification as a treaty trader (E-1), treaty investor (E-2), and alien entrepreneur (EB-5) 

at two Service Centers, namely those in Texas and California. 

Why is the Service Changing the Location for Processing E-1 and E-2 Applications and EB-5 Petitions? 

By consolidating these applications and petitions at the Texas and California Service Centers, the 

Service will ensure that the procedures related to the adjudication of these highly technical requests for 

immigration benefits are more uniform, consistent, and streamlined. Quality control and other necessary 

program oversight functions may be more readily undertaken as necessary. The Service can more easily 

ensure that the officers adjudicating these cases are appropriately trained and experienced in the relevant areas 

of regulatory trade, investment, financial, and economic policy and analysis, and that they have access to the 

additional expertise necessary in particularly complex matters. 

How Will the Public Benefit From These Changes? 

These petitioners and applicants will receive more comprehensive and effective adjudication of their 

requests for benefits. These adjudications will be performed only by trained and skilled adjudicators, familiar 

with these complex financial and economic requirements and the issues involved. Consolidation will enable the 

Service to respond more effectively to any procedural concerns and to provide prompt adjudication. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 76 
What Petitions and Forms are Involved? 

The petitions and applications involved in this change of filing location include applications for extension 

or change of status of nonimmigrant classification to treaty trader (E-1) and treaty investor (E-2) status which 

are processed on Form I-129; petitions for alien entrepreneur classification, which are filed on Form I-526, and; 

petitions to remove conditions at the end of the 2 year period of conditional residence, which are filed on Form I829. 

What are the Mailing Addresses for These New Filing Locations? 

The current mailing addresses for these petitions and applications are as follows: for the California 

Service Center, 24000 Avila Road, 2nd floor (P.O. Box 10526), Laguna Niguel, California 92607-0526; for the 

Texas Service Center, P.O. Box 852135, Mesquite TX 75185-2135. 

Is This Change in Location a Change in Service Center Jurisdiction? 

The Nebraska and Vermont Service Centers will no longer have jurisdiction over E-1, E-2, and EB-5 

matters. The Texas and California Service Centers will have jurisdiction over these matters. 

Effective [Insert date of publication in the Federal Register], petitions for immigrant investor classification 

which have been filed pursuant to § 204.6(b) with the Service Center having jurisdiction over the area in which 

the new commercial enterprise is or will be principally doing business, will be filed with: (1) The Texas Service 

Center if the new commercial enterprise is located, or will principally be doing business, in the areas previously 

covered by the Vermont and Texas Service Centers; (2) the California Service Center if the new commercial 

enterprise is located, or will principally be doing business, in the areas previously covered by the California and 

Nebraska Service Centers. 

The same change will occur with regard to applications for extension of stay or change of status into E-1 

or E-2 classification which are filed pursuant to the instructions on Form I-129 with the Service Center with 

jurisdiction over the location of employment. 

What Will Happen to My Application or Petition if I Already Filed It at Another Service Center? 

During the first 60 days following the effective date of this Notice, the Service Centers in Vermont and 

Nebraska will forward in a timely fashion to the Service Centers in Texas and California, as appropriate, any of 

these applications and petitions which have been inadvertently filed with the Service Centers in Vermont or 

Nebraska. In order to facilitate this transition, applicants and petitioners will be provided a notice at the time of 

filing at Vermont or Nebraska advising them that their application or petition is being forwarded to the correct 

service center, either Texas of California, for initial processing. When applications or petitions are forwarded 

from the Vermont or Nebraska Service Centers, they will be receipted and filed when they arrive at the Texas or 

California Service Centers, After the 60-day transition period, applications and petitions related to classification 

as treaty trader (E-1), treaty investor (E-2), or alien entrepreneur (EB-5) filed inadvertently at the Vermont or 

Nebraska Service Centers will be returned with a notice that directs the petitioner or applicant to mail the petition 

or application directly to the Texas or California Service Center, as appropriate, for processing. 

November 13, 1998 Signed 

____________________ _____________________ 

Dated: Doris Meissner, 

Commissioner, Immigration and 

Naturalization Service. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 77 
Inspectors Field Manual 15.4(e) Traders and Investors. 

(1) Classification: E-1 Treaty trader, spouse, and children entering the U.S. under provisions of a treaty 

involving trade, commerce and service to which the U.S. and the alien's country are signatory. 

Documents required: Passport valid for 6 months beyond the date to which admitted, unless exempt. 

Nonimmigrant visa (E-1) (including Canadians). 

Qualifications: The company must be majority owned by nationals of the treaty country and the alien must 

be a national of that country. For a list of treaty countries, see Appendix 32.1 of the Adjudicator's Field 

Manual. Alien must engage in duties of an executive or supervisory character, or if employed in a lesser 

capacity have special qualifications that make the alien's service essential to the efficient operation of the 

enterprise. All nonimmigrant grounds of inadmissibility apply. See qualifications in 8 CFR 214.2(e) and 22 

CFR 41.51. 

Terms of admission: Admit E-1 for up to 2 years. For E-1, TECRO, see special notes section. 

Notations on I-94: Front: E-1, (date to which admitted). Reverse: Principal's name in remarks section of 

dependent's I-94. 

Special notes: 

(A) Dependents. Admit spouse and children as E-1. Their period of admission is up to 2 years or to 

coincide with the stay of the principal alien. The spouse and children may follow to join but may not precede 

the principal alien. Spouse and children may attend school without changing status, but may not engage in 

employment. 

(B) TECRO notation. Taipei government employees may be issued an E-1 visa endorsed "TECRO" 

(Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative's Office, formerly CCNAA, Coordination Council for North 

American Affairs). Admit holders of such visas for duration of status (D/S). 

(2) Classification: E-2 Treaty investor, spouse, and children entering the U.S. under provisions of a 

treaty between the U.S. and the alien's country of nationality to develop and direct an enterprise in which the 

alien has invested or is actively in the process of investing a substantial amount of money. 

Documents required: Passport valid for 6 months beyond the date to which admitted, unless exempt. 

Nonimmigrant visa (E-2), (including Canadians). 

Qualifications: Must be national of the treaty country, within the general description above. May be investor 

or qualifying employee of investor. All nonimmigrant grounds of inadmissibility apply. See list of treaty 

countries in Appendix 31-2 of the Adjudicator's Field Manual. Specific requirements for E-2 investors are 

contained in 8 CFR 214.2(e) and 22 CFR 41.51. 

Terms of admission: Admit E-2 for up to 2 years. 

Notations on I-94: Front: E-2, (date to which admitted). Reverse: Principal's name in remarks section of 

dependent's I- 94. 

Special notes: 

(A) Dependents. Admit spouse and children as E-2. Their period of admission is up to 2 years or to 

coincide with the stay of the principal alien. The spouse and children may follow to join but may not precede 

the principal alien. Spouse and children may attend school without changing status, but may not engage in 

employment. Nationality of the spouse and children is not material. 

(B) Employee E-2s. If the alien is an employee of an E-2, he or she must be of the same nationality as 

the investor and must engage in duties of an executive or supervisory character, or if employed in a lesser 

capacity have special qualifications that make the alien's service essential to the efficient operation of the 

enterprise. 

(Paragraph (e) revised IN98-22) 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 78 
E Classification as a Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor. 

Requirements for Admission: 

Section B of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA provides for the temporary entry of Canadian and Mexican citizens as 

treaty traders and treaty investors. This section required no changes to existing law and practice under section 

101(a)(15)(E) of the Act, other than to authorize citizens of Canada and Mexico to apply for treaty trader (E-1) 

or treaty investor (E-2) status pursuant to the NAFTA. 

A treaty trader is a businessperson who is coming to the U.S. solely to carry on substantial trade, principally 

between the U.S. and Canada, if the trader is a citizen of Canada, or between the U.S. and Mexico, if the 

trader is a citizen of Mexico. 

A treaty investor is a business person who is coming to the United States solely to develop and direct the 

operations of an enterprise in which he or she has invested, or of an enterprise in which he or she is actively in 

the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital. 

Immigration officers must familiarize themselves with the definition of the E classification in §101(a)(15)(E) of 

the Act and the regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(e) and 22 CFR 41.51. 

Treaty Traders. NAFTA businesspersons applying for the E-1 visa as a Treaty Trader must meet the 

following requirements. 

• Citizenship. The trader, individual or entity must possess citizenship of Canada or Mexico. In 

the case of an entity, Canadian citizens or Mexican citizens must own at least 50% of that 

business. 

• Trade. There must be an international exchange of a good or service, including title to that 

trade item, for consideration between the United States and either Canada or Mexico. 

• Substantial Trade. The volume of trade must constitute a continuous flow of trade items 

involving numerous transactions between the United States and Canada or Mexico. 

• Trade Linked to Citizenship. Trade is principally between the U.S. and Canada, if the trader 

possesses Canadian citizenship, or between the U.S. and Mexico, if the trader possesses 

Mexican citizenship. At least 50% of the international trade (as contrasted to domestic trade) of 

the trading entity must be conducted between the U.S. and Canada, if the trader possesses 

Canadian citizenship, or between the U.S. and Mexico, if the trader possesses Mexican 

citizenship. 

Treaty Investors. NAFTA businesspersons applying for the E-2 visa as a Treaty Investor must meet the 

following requirements. 

• Citizenship. The investor, individual or entity must possess citizenship of Canada or 

Mexico. In the case of an entity, at least 50% of that business must be owned either by 

Canadian citizens or by Mexican citizens. 

• Investment Must Occur or Be in Process. The investor has invested or is actively in the 

process of investing. The investor may invest in an established business or create a 

business. Being in the process of investing requires the irrevocable commitment of funds. 

• The Investment Must Be Real. The enterprise is a real and operating commercial 

enterprise. A dormant or paper enterprise does not qualify. 

• The Investment Must Be Substantial. A substantial amount of capital constitutes that amount 

that is substantial in the proportional sense pursuant to a proportionality test, that is, an inverted 

sliding scale in which the lower the total cost of the enterprise, the higher, proportionally, 

the investment must be. The overall cost of the enterprise is compared with the amount of 

personal funds and assets invested by the investor. Only loans guaranteed by personal assets 

qualify as actual investment by the treaty investor. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 79 
The business shall not be marginal, solely for the purpose of earning a living. A marginal 

enterprise is an enterprise that does not have the present or future capacity to generate more 

than enough income to provide a living for the treaty investor and his or her family. 

• The Investor Must Be Developing and Directing the Enterprise . An investor develops and 

directs the business by owning at least 50% of the enterprise or by a combination involving 

ownership and possession of management responsibility, by controlling stock by proxy, etc. 

Qualifying Employees for E-1 or E-1 Visa Classification. Employees of Treaty Traders and Treaty 

Investors also may apply for an E-1 or E-2, if they meet the following requirements. 

• Citizenship. The employee must possess the same citizenship as the trader or investor 

employer. 

• Position. The employee is destined to an executive/supervisory position, possessing the 

authority and responsibility to make decisions which will set the direction of the enterprise; or 

the employee, if employed in a minor capacity, has special qualifications that make the services 

to be rendered essential to the successful or efficient operation of the enterprise. The essential 

employee must possess special skills including skills that are unique to operations in the U.S. 

Such employees are highly and specially skilled. 

• Temporary. All persons must indicate the intent to depart the U.S. upon termination of 

status, ceasing business operations or sale of business, etc. 

Terms of Admission. An alien seeking admission as a treaty trader or treaty investor under the NAFTA as 

an E-1 or E-2 must be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa issued by an American consular officer 

classifying the alien under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act. Both Canadian and Mexican citizens must 

apply at an U.S. embassy or consulate for the issuance of an “E” nonimmigrant visa and pay any 

visa fee. A supplemental Form OF-156E must be submitted with pertinent documentation to the consular 

officer. 

Upon admission, issue both Canadian and Mexican treaty traders and treaty investors and their dependents 

a Form I-94, endorsed in the same manner as other E-1 and E-2 non-immigrants. The classification code 

E-1 or E-2 will be marked clearly on the I-94. The I-94 with the E-1 or E-2 notation is the employment 

authorization documentation for the treaty trader or treaty investor. The Form I-94 is presented to the Social 

Security Administration for purposes of applying for a social security number. 

Periods of initial admission and extension are the same as for other E-1 and E-2 non-immigrants. A treaty 

trader or treaty investor may be admitted for an initial period of not more than 2 years. 

Spouse and Dependent Children 

The spouse and children of a treaty trader or treaty investor may accompany or follow to join the E-1 or E-2 

businessperson if they otherwise meet the general requirements for temporary entry. There is no 

requirement that the spouse and children be Canadian or Mexican citizens. Such dependents may not work 

in the U.S. without obtaining a change of status, but may attend school, if incident to status. As with other E1 and E-2 nonimmigrant dependents, their I-94 visa symbol is the same as the principal’s; endorsements 

are the same as for other E dependents. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 80 
Extension of Stay 

Requests for extensions of stay may be granted in increments of not more than 2 years. A treaty trader or treaty 

investor in valid E status may apply for an extension of stay by filing an application for extension of stay on Form 

I-129 and E Supplement, with required accompanying documents, in accordance with 8 CFR 214.1 and the 

instructions on that form. 

For purposes of eligibility for an extension of stay, the alien must prove that he or she: 

• Has at all times maintained the terms and conditions of his or her E nonimmigrant classification; 

• Was physically present in the United States at the time of filing the application for extension of stay; and 

• Has not abandoned his or her extension request. 

With limited exceptions, it is presumed that employees of treaty enterprises with special qualifications who are 

responsible for start-up operations should be able to complete their objectives within 2 years. Absent special 

circumstances, therefore, such employees will not be eligible to obtain an extension of stay. 

There is no specified number of extensions of stay that a treaty trader or treaty investor may be granted. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 81 
SECTION FOUR 

L-1 Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA 

8CFR 214.2(l) - Intra Company Transferee

OI 214.2(l)

Inspectors Field Manual 15.4(l)

Requirements for admission

Extension of stay

Denial of "L" application

Spouse and Children

83 

93 

101 

103 

108 

108 

109 

64 FR 29208 Adjustment of Status/Travel Interim Rule 110

Special Knowledge Memorandum 116

I-129 Processing Summary 119

I-129 Processing Summary - New Office 120

I-129 Processing Summary – Blanket Petition 121 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 82 
8 CFR Sec. 214.2(l) Intracompany Transferees --

(1) Admission of intracompany transferees --

(i) General. Under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act, an alien who within the preceding three years has been 

employed abroad for one continuous year by a qualifying organization may be admitted temporarily to the 

United States to be employed by a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of that employer in a managerial or 

executive capacity, or in a position requiring specialized knowledge. An alien transferred to the United States 

under this nonimmigrant classification is referred to as an intracompany transferee and the organization which 

seeks the classification of an alien as an intracompany transferee is referred to as the petitioner. The Service 

has responsibility for determining whether the alien is eligible for admission and whether the petitioner is a 

qualifying organization. These regulations set forth the standards applicable to these classifications. They also 

set forth procedures for admission of intracompany transferees and appeal of adverse decisions. Certain 

petitioners seeking the classification of aliens as intracompany transferees may file blanket petitions with the 

Service. Under the blanket petition process, the Service is responsible for determining whether the petitioner 

and its parent, branches, affiliates, or subsidiaries specified are qualifying organizations. The Department of 

State or, in certain cases, the Service is responsible for determining the classification of the alien. 

(ii) Definitions. 

(A) Intracompany transferee means an alien who, within three years preceding the time of his or her application 

for admission into the United States, has been employed abroad continuously for one year by a firm or 

corporation or other legal entity or parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary thereof, and who seeks to enter the 

United States temporarily in order to render his or her services to a branch of the same employer or a parent, 

affiliate, or subsidiary thereof in a capacity that is managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge. 

Periods spent in the United States in lawful status for a branch of the same employer or a parent, affiliate, or 

subsidiary thereof and brief trips to the United States for business or pleasure shall not be interruptive of the one 

year of continuous employment abroad but such periods shall not be counted towards fulfillment of that 

requirement. 

(B) Managerial capacity means an assignment within an organization in which the employee primarily: 

((1)) Manages the organization, or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization; 

((2)) Supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees, or manages 

an essential function within the organization, or a department or subdivision of the organization; 

((3)) Has the authority to hire and fire or recommend those as well as other personnel actions (such as 

promotion and leave authorization) if another employee or other employees are directly supervised; if no other 

employee is directly supervised, functions at a senior level within the organizational hierarchy or with respect to 

the function managed; and 

((4)) Exercises discretion over the day-to-day operations of the activity or function for which the employee has 

authority. A first-line supervisor is not considered to be acting in a managerial capacity merely by virtue of the 

supervisor's supervisory duties unless the employees supervised are professional. 

(C) Executive capacity means an assignment within an organization in which the employee primarily: 

((1)) Directs the management of the organization or a major component or function of the organization; 

((2)) Establishes the goals and policies of the organization, component, or function; 

((3)) Exercises wide latitude in discretionary decision-making; and 

((4)) Receives only general supervision or direction from higher level executives, the board of directors, or 

stockholders of the organization. 

(D) Specialized knowledge means special knowledge possessed by an individual of the petitioning 

organization's product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 83 
application in international markets, or an advanced level of knowledge or expertise in the organization's 

processes and procedures. 

(E) "Specialized knowledge professional" means an individual who has specialized knowledge as defined in 

paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(D) of this section and is a member of the professions as defined in section 101(a)(32) of the 

Immigration and Nationality Act. 

(F) New office means an organization which has been doing business in the United States through a parent, 

branch, affiliate, or subsidiary for less than one year. 

(G) Qualifying organization means a United States or foreign firm, corporation, or other legal entity which: 

((1)) Meets exactly one of the qualifying relationships specified in the definitions of a parent, branch, affiliate or 

subsidiary specified in paragraph (l)(1)(ii) of this section; 

((2)) Is or will be doing business (engaging in international trade is not required) as an employer in the United 

States and in at least one other country directly or through a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary for the 

duration of the alien's stay in the United States as an intracompany transferee; and 

((3)) Otherwise meets the requirements of section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act. 

(H) Doing business means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a 

qualifying organization and does not include the mere presence of an agent or office of the qualifying 

organization in the United States and abroad. 

(I) "Parent" means a firm, corporation, or other legal entity which has subsidiaries. 

(J) "Branch" means an operating division or office of the same organization housed in a different location. 

(K) Subsidiary means a firm, corporation, or other legal entity of which a parent owns, directly or indirectly, more 

than half of the entity and controls the entity; or owns, directly or indirectly, half of the entity and controls the 

entity; or owns, directly or indirectly, 50 percent of a 50-50 joint venture and has equal control and veto power 

over the entity; or owns, directly or indirectly, less than half of the entity, but in fact controls the entity. 

(L) Affiliate means 

((1)) One of two subsidiaries both of which are owned and controlled by the same parent or individual, or 

((2)) One of two legal entities owned and controlled by the same group of individuals, each individual owning 

and controlling approximately the same share or proportion of each entity, or 

((3)) In the case of a partnership that is organized in the United States to provide accounting services along with 

managerial and/or consulting services and that markets its accounting services under an internationally 

recognized name under an agreement with a worldwide coordinating organization that is owned and controlled 

by the member accounting firms, a partnership (or similar organization) that is organized outside the United 

States to provide accounting services shall be considered to be an affiliate of the United States partnership if it 

markets its accounting services under the same internationally recognized name under the agreement with the 

worldwide coordinating organization of which the United States partnership is also a member. 

(M) "Director" means a Service Center director with delegated authority at 8 CFR 103.1. 

(2) Filing of petitions --

(i) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(2)(ii) and (l)(17) of this section, a petitioner seeking to classify an alien as 

an intracompany transferee shall file a petition on Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, only at the 

Service Center which has jurisdiction over the area where the alien will be employed, even in emergent 

situations. The petitioner shall advise the Service whether it has filed a petition for the same beneficiary with 

another office, and certify that it will not file a petition for the same beneficiary with another office, unless the 

circumstances and conditions in the initial petition have changed. Failure to make a full disclosure of previous 

petitions filed may result in a denial of the petition. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 84 
(ii) A United States petitioner which meets the requirements of paragraph (l)(4) of this section and seeks 

continuing approval of itself and its parent, branches, specified subsidiaries and affiliates as qualifying 

organizations and, later, classification under section 101(a)(15)(L) of multiple numbers of aliens employed by 

itself, its parent, or those branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates may file a blanket petition on Form I - 129 with the 

director having jurisdiction over the area where the petitioner is located. The blanket petition shall be 

adjudicated and maintained at the appropriate Service Center. Approved blanket petition files shall be 

maintained indefinitely by that Service Center. The petitioner shall be the single representative for the qualifying 

organizations with which the Service will deal regarding the blanket petition. 

(3) Evidence for individual petitions. An individual petition filed on Form I - 129 shall be accompanied by: 

(i) Evidence that the petitioner and the organization which employed or will employ the alien are qualifying 

organizations as defined in paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(G) of this section. 

(ii) Evidence that the alien will be employed in an executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge capacity, 

including a detailed description of the services to be performed. 

(iii) Evidence that the alien has at least one continuous year of full-time employment abroad with a qualifying 

organization within the three years preceding the filing of the petition. 

(iv) Evidence that the alien's prior year of employment abroad was in a position that was managerial, executive, 

or involved specialized knowledge and that the alien's prior education, training, and employment qualifies 

him/her to perform the intended services in the United States; however, the work in the United States need not 

be the same work which the alien performed abroad. 

(v) If the petition indicates that the beneficiary is coming to the United States as a manager or executive to open 

or to be employed in a new office in the United States, the petitioner shall submit evidence that: 

(A) Sufficient physical premises to house the new office have been secured; 

(B) The beneficiary has been employed for one continuous year in the three year period preceding the filing of 

the petition in an executive or managerial capacity and that the proposed employment involved executive or 

managerial authority over the new operation; and 

(C) The intended United States operation, within one year of the approval of the petition, will support an 

executive or managerial position as defined in paragraphs (l)(1)(ii)(B) or (C) of this section, supported by 

information regarding: 

((1)) The proposed nature of the office describing the scope of the entity, its organizational structure, and its 

financial goals; 

((2)) The size of the United States investment and the financial ability of the foreign entity to remunerate the 

beneficiary and to commence doing business in the United States; and 

((3)) The organizational structure of the foreign entity. 

(vi) If the petition indicates that the beneficiary is coming to the United States in a specialized knowledge 

capacity to open or to be employed in a new office, the petitioner shall submit evidence that: 

(A) Sufficient physical premises to house the new office have been secured; 

(B) The business entity in the United States is or will be a qualifying organization as defined in paragraph 

(l)(1)(ii)(G) of this section; and 

(C) The petitioner has the financial ability to remunerate the beneficiary and to commence doing business in the 

United States. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 85 
(vii) If the beneficiary is an owner or major stockholder of the company, the petition must be accompanied by 

evidence that the beneficiary's services are to be used for a temporary period and evidence that the beneficiary 

will be transferred to an assignment abroad upon the completion of the temporary services in the United States. 

(viii) Such other evidence as the director, in his or her discretion, may deem necessary. 

(4) Blanket petitions --

(i) A petitioner which meets the following requirements may file a blanket petition seeking continuing approval of 

itself and some or all of its parent, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates as qualifying organizations if: 

(A) The petitioner and each of those entities are engaged in commercial trade or services; 

(B) The petitioner has an office in the United States that has been doing business for one year or more; 

(C) The petitioner has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates; and 

(D) The petitioner and the other qualifying organizations have obtained approval of petitions for at least ten "L" 

managers, executives, or specialized knowledge professionals during the previous 12 months; or have U.S. 

subsidiaries or affiliates with combined annual sales of at least $25 million; or have a United States work force of 

at least 1,000 employees. 

(ii) Managers, executives, and specialized knowledge professionals employed by firms, corporations, or other 

entities which have been found to be qualifying organizations pursuant to an approved blanket petition may be 

classified as intracompany transferees and admitted to the United States as provided in paragraphs (l) (5) and 

(11) of this section. 

(iii) When applying for a blanket petition, the petitioner shall include in the blanket petition all of its branches, 

subsidiaries, and affiliates which plan to seek to transfer aliens to the United States under the blanket petition. 

An individual petition may be filed by the petitioner or organizations in lieu of using the blanket petition 

procedure. However, the petitioner and other qualifying organizations may not seek L classification for the same 

alien under both procedures, unless a consular officer first denies eligibility. Whenever a petitioner which has 

blanket L approval files an individual petition to seek L classification for a manager, executive, or specialized 

knowledge professional, the petitioner shall advise the Service that it has blanket L approval and certify that the 

beneficiary has not and will not apply to a consular officer for L classification under the approved blanket 

petition. 

(iv) Evidence. A blanket petition filed on Form I - 129 shall be accompanied by: 

(A) Evidence that the petitioner meets the requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(i) of this section. 

(B) Evidence that all entities for which approval is sought are qualifying organizations as defined in 

subparagraph (l)(1)(ii)(G) of this section. 

(C) Such other evidence as the director, in his or her discretion, deems necessary in a particular case. 

(5) Certification and admission procedures for beneficiaries under blanket petition. 

(i) Jurisdiction. United States consular officers shall have authority to determine eligibility of individual 

beneficiaries outside the United States seeking L classification under blanket petitions, except for visa-exempt 

nonimmigrants. An application for a visa-exempt nonimmigrant seeking L classification under a blanket petition 

or by an alien in the United States applying for change of status to L classification under a blanket petition shall 

be filed with the Service office at which the blanket petition was filed. 

(ii) Procedures. 

(A) When one qualifying organization listed in an approved blanket petition wishes to transfer an alien outside 

the United States to a qualifying organization in the United States and the alien requires a visa to enter the 

United States, that organization shall complete Form I - 129S, Certificate of Eligibility for Intracompany 

Transferee under a Blanket Petition, in an original and three copies. The qualifying organization shall retain one 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 86 
copy for its records and send the original and two copies to the alien. A copy of the approved Form I - 797 must 

be attached to the original and each copy of Form I - 129S. 

(B) After receipt of Form I - 797 and Form I - 129S, a qualified employee who is being transferred to the United 

States may use these documents to apply for visa issuance with the consular officer within six months of the 

date on Form I - 129S. 

(C) When the alien is a visa-exempt nonimmigrant seeking L classification under a blanket petition, or when the 

alien is in the United States and is seeking a change of status from another nonimmigrant classification to L 

classification under a blanket petition, the petitioner shall submit Form I-129S, Certificate of Eligibility, and a 

copy of the approval notice, Form I-797, to the Service Center with which the blanket petition was filed. 

(D) The consular or Service officer shall determine whether the position in which the alien will be employed in 

the United States is with an organization named in the approved petition and whether the specific job is for a 

manager, executive, or specialized knowledge professional. The consular or Service officer shall determine 

further whether the alien's immediate prior year of continuous employment abroad was with an organization 

named in the petition and was in a position as manager, executive, or specialized knowledge professional. 

(E) Consular officers may grant "L" classification only in clearly approvable applications. If the consular officer 

determines that the alien is eligible for L classification, the consular officer may issue a nonimmigrant visa, 

noting the visa classification "Blanket L - 1" for the principal alien and "Blanket L - 2" for any accompanying or 

following to join spouse and children. The consular officer shall also endorse all copies of the alien's Form I -

129S with the blanket L - 1 visa classification and return the original and one copy to the alien. When the alien is 

inspected for entry into the United States, both copies of the Form I - 129S shall be stamped to show a validity 

period not to exceed three years and the second copy collected and sent to the appropriate Regional Service 

Center for control purposes. Service officers who determine eligibility of aliens for L - 1 classification under 

blanket petitions shall endorse both copies of Form I - 129S with the blanket L - 1 classification and the validity 

period not to exceed three years and retain the second copy for Service records. 

(F) If the consular officer determines that the alien is ineligible for L classification under a blanket petition, the 

consular officer's decision shall be final. The consular officer shall record the reasons for the denial on Form I -

129S, retain one copy, return the original of I - 129S to the Service office which approved the blanket petition, 

and provide a copy to the alien. In such a case, an individual petition may be filed for the alien with the director 

having jurisdiction over the area of intended employment; the petition shall state the reason the alien was 

denied L classification and specify the consular office which made the determination and the date of the 

determination. 

(G) An alien admitted under an approved blanket petition may be reassigned to any organization listed in the 

approved petition without referral to the Service during his/her authorized stay if the alien will be performing 

virtually the same job duties. If the alien will be performing different job duties, the petitioner shall complete a 

new Certificate of Eligibility and send it for approval to the director who approved the blanket petition. 

(6) Copies of supporting documents. The petitioner may submit a legible photocopy of a document in support of 

the visa petition, in lieu of the original document. However, the original document shall be submitted if 

requested by the Service. 

(7) Approval of petition --

(i) General. The director shall notify the petitioner of the approval of an individual or a blanket petition within 30 

days after the date a completed petition has been filed. If additional information is required from the petitioner, 

the 30 day processing period shall begin again upon receipt of the information. Only the Director of a Service 

Center may approve individual and blanket L petitions. The original Form I-797 received from the Service with 

respect to an approved individual or blanket petition may be duplicated by the petitioner for the beneficiary's use 

as described in paragraph (l)(13) of this section. 

(A) Individual petition --

(1) Form I - 797 shall include the beneficiary's name and classification and the petition's period of validity. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 87 
(2) An individual petition approved under this paragraph shall be valid for the period of established need for the 

beneficiary's services, not to exceed three years, except where the beneficiary is coming to the United States to 

open or to be employed in a new office. 

(3) If the beneficiary is coming to the United States to open or be employed in a new office, the petition may be 

approved for a period not to exceed one year, after which the petitioner shall demonstrate as required by 

paragraph (l)(14)(ii) of this section that it is doing business as defined in paragraph (l) (1)(ii)(H) of this section to 

extend the validity of the petition. 

(B) Blanket petition --

(1) Form I - 797 shall identify the approved organizations included in the petition and the petition's period of 

validity. 

(2) A blanket petition approved under this paragraph shall be valid initially for a period of three years and may 

be extended indefinitely thereafter if the qualifying organizations have complied with these regulations. 

(3) A blanket petition may be approved in whole or in part and shall cover only qualifying organizations. 

(C) Amendments. The petitioner shall file an amended petition, with fee, at the Service Center where the original 

petition was filed to reflect changes in approved relationships, additional qualifying organizations under a 

blanket petition, change in capacity of employment (i.e., from a specialized knowledge position to a managerial 

position), or any information which would affect the beneficiary's eligibility under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act. 

(ii) Spouse and dependents. The spouse and unmarried minor children of the beneficiary are entitled to L 

nonimmigrant classification, subject to the same period of admission and limits as the beneficiary, if the spouse 

and unmarried minor children are accompanying or following to join the beneficiary in the United States. Neither 

the spouse nor any child may accept employment unless he or she has been granted employment authorization. 

(8) Denial of petition --

(i) Notice of intent to deny. When an adverse decision is proposed on the basis of evidence not submitted by the 

petitioner, the director shall notify the petitioner of his or her intent to deny the petition and the basis for the 

denial. The petitioner may inspect and rebut the evidence and will be granted a period of 30 days from the date 

of the notice in which to do so. All relevant rebuttal material will be considered in making a final decision. 

(ii) Individual petition. If an individual petition is denied, the petitioner shall be notified within 30 days after the 

date a completed petition has been filed of the denial, the reasons for the denial, and the right to appeal the 

denial. 

(iii) Blanket petition. If a blanket petition is denied in whole or in part, the petitioner shall be notified within 30 

days after the date a completed petition has been filed of the denial, the reasons for the denial, and the right to 

appeal the denial. If the petition is denied in part, the Service Center issuing the denial shall forward to the 

petitioner, along with the denial, a Form I-797 listing those organizations which were found to qualify. If the 

decision to deny is reversed on appeal, a new Form I-797 shall be sent to the petitioner to reflect the changes 

made as a result of the appeal. 

(9) Revocation of approval of individual and blanket petitions --

(i) General. The director may revoke a petition at any time, even after the expiration of the petition. 

(ii) Automatic revocation. The approval of any individual or blanket petition is automatically revoked if the 

petitioner withdraws the petition or the petitioner fails to request indefinite validity of a blanket petition. 

(iii) Revocation on notice. 

(A) The director shall send to the petitioner a notice of intent to revoke the petition in relevant part if he/she finds 

that: 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 88 
(1) One or more entities are no longer qualifying organizations; 

(2) The alien is no longer eligible under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act; 

(3) A qualifying organization(s) violated requirements of section 101(a)(15)(L) and these regulations; 

(4) The statement of facts contained in the petition was not true and correct; or 

(5) Approval of the petition involved gross error; or 

(6) None of the qualifying organizations in a blanket petition have used the blanket petition procedure for three 

consecutive years. 

(B) The notice of intent to revoke shall contain a detailed statement of the grounds for the revocation and the 

time period allowed for the petitioner's rebuttal. Upon receipt of this notice, the petitioner may submit evidence in 

rebuttal within 30 days of the notice. The director shall consider all relevant evidence presented in deciding 

whether to revoke the petition in whole or in part. If a blanket petition is revoked in part, the remainder of the 

petition shall remain approved, and a revised Form I - 797 shall be sent to the petitioner with the revocation 

notice. (iv) Status of beneficiaries. If an individual petition is revoked, the beneficiary shall be required to leave 

the United States, unless the beneficiary has obtained other work authorization from the Service. If a blanket 

petition is revoked and the petitioner and beneficiaries already in the United States are otherwise eligible for L 

classification, the director shall extend the blanket petition for a period necessary to support the stay of those 

blanket L beneficiaries. The approval notice, Form I - 171C, shall include only the names of qualifying 

organizations and covered beneficiaries. No new beneficiaries may be classified or admitted under this limited 

extension. 

(10) Appeal of denial or revocation of individual or blanket petition --

(i) A petition denied in whole or in part may be appealed under 8 CFR part 103. Since the determination on the 

Certificate of Eligibility, Form I-129S, is part of the petition process, a denial or revocation of approval of an I129S is appealable in the same manner as the petition. 

(ii) A petition that has been revoked on notice in whole or in part may be appealed under Part 103 of this 

chapter. Automatic revocations may not be appealed. 

(11) Admission. A beneficiary may apply for admission to the United States only while the individual or blanket 

petition is valid. The beneficiary of an individual petition shall not be admitted for a date past the validity period 

of the petition. The beneficiary of a blanket petition may be admitted for three years even though the initial 

validity period of the blanket petition may expire before the end of the three-year period. If the blanket petition 

will expire while the alien is in the United States, the burden is on the petitioner to file for indefinite validity of the 

blanket petition or to file an individual petition in the alien's behalf to support the alien's status in the United 

States. The admission period for any alien under section 101(a)(15)(L) shall not exceed three years unless an 

extension of stay is granted pursuant to paragraph (l)(15) of this section. 

(12) L-1 limitation on period of stay. 

(i) Limits. An alien who has spent five years in the United States in a specialized knowledge capacity or seven 

years in the United States in a managerial or executive capacity under section 101(a)(15)(L) and/or (H) of the 

Act may not be readmitted to the United States under section 101(a)(15)(L) or (H) of the Act unless the alien has 

resided and been physically present outside the United States, except for brief visits for business or pleasure, 

for the immediate prior year. Such visits do not interrupt the one year abroad, but do not count towards 

fulfillment of that requirement. In view of this restriction, a new individual petition may not be approved for an 

alien who has spent the maximum time period in the United States under section 101(a)(15)(L) and/or (H) of the 

Act, unless the alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States, except for brief visits for 

business or pleasure, for the immediate prior year. The petitioner shall provide information about the alien's 

employment, place of residence, and the dates and purpose of any trips to the United States for the previous 

year. A consular or Service officer may not grant L classification under a blanket petition to an alien who has 

spent five years in the United States as a professional with specialized knowledge or seven years in the United 

States as a manager or executive, unless the alien has met the requirements contained in this paragraph. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 89 
(ii) Exceptions. The limitations of paragraph (l)(12)(i) of this section shall not apply to aliens who do not reside 

continually in the United States and whose employment in the United States is seasonal, intermittent, or 

consists of an aggregate of six months or less per year. In addition, the limitations will not apply to aliens who 

reside abroad and regularly commute to the United States to engage in part-time employment. The petitioner 

and the alien must provide clear and convincing proof that the alien qualifies for an exception. Clear and 

convincing proof shall consist of evidence such as arrival and departure records, copies of tax returns, and 

records of employment abroad. 

(13) Beneficiary's use of Form I - 797 and Form I - 129S --

(i) Beneficiary of an individual petition. The beneficiary of an individual petition who does not require a 

nonimmigrant visa may present a copy of Form I - 797 at a port of entry to facilitate entry into the United States. 

The copy of Form I - 797 shall be retained by the beneficiary and presented during the validity of the petition 

(provided that the beneficiary is entering or reentering the United States) for entry and reentry to resume the 

same employment with the same petitioner (within the validity period of the petition) and to apply for an 

extension of stay. A beneficiary who is required to present a visa for admission and whose visa will have expired 

before the date of his or her intended return may use an original Form I - 797 to apply for a new or revalidated 

visa during the validity period of the petition and to apply for an extension of stay. 

(ii) Beneficiary of a blanket petition. Each alien seeking L classification and admission under a blanket petition 

shall present a copy of Form I - 797 and a Form I - 129S from the petitioner which identifies the position and 

organization from which the employee is transferring, the new organization and position to which the employee 

is destined, a description of the employee's actual duties for both the new and former positions, and the 

positions, dates, and locations of previous L stays in the United States. A current copy of Form I - 797 and Form 

I - 129S should be retained by the beneficiary and used for leaving and reentering the United States to resume 

employment with a qualifying organization during his/her authorized period of stay, for applying for a new or 

revalidated visa, and for applying for readmission at a port of entry. The alien may be readmitted even though 

reassigned to a different organization named on the Form I - 797 than the one shown on Form I - 129S if the job 

duties are virtually the same. 

(14) Extension of visa petition validity-­

(i) Individual petition. The petitioner shall file a petition extension on Form I-129 to extend an individual petition 

under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act. Except in those petitions involving new offices, supporting 

documentation is not required, unless requested by the director. A petition extension may be filed only if the 

validity of the original petition has not expired. 

(ii) New offices. A visa petition under section 101(a)(15)(L) which involved the opening of a new office may be 

extended by filing a new Form I - 129, accompanied by the following: 

(A) Evidence that the United States and foreign entities are still qualifying organizations as defined in paragraph 

(l)(1)(ii)(G) of this section; 

(B) Evidence that the United States entity has been doing business as defined in paragraph (l)(1)(ii)(H) of this 

section for the previous year; 

(C) A statement of the duties performed by the beneficiary for the previous year and the duties the beneficiary 

will perform under the extended petition; 

(D) A statement describing the staffing of the new operation, including the number of employees and types of 

positions held accompanied by evidence of wages paid to employees when the beneficiary will be employed in a 

managerial or executive capacity; and 

(E) Evidence of the financial status of the United States operation. 

(iii) Blanket petitions --

(A) Extension procedure. A blanket petition may only be extended indefinitely by filing a new Form I - 129 with a 

copy of the previous approval notice and a report of admissions during the preceding three years. The report of 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 90 
admissions shall include a list of the aliens admitted under the blanket petition during the preceding three years, 

including positions held during that period, the employing entity, and the dates of initial admission and final 

departure of each alien. The petitioner shall state whether it still meets the criteria for filing a blanket petition and 

shall document any changes in approved relationships and additional qualifying organizations. 

(B) Other conditions. If the petitioner in an approved blanket petition fails to request indefinite validity or if 

indefinite validity is denied, the petitioner and its other qualifying organizations shall seek L classification by filing 

individual petitions until another three years have expired; after which the petitioner may seek approval of a new 

blanket petition. 

(15) Extension of stay. 

(i) In individual petitions, the petitioner must apply for the petition extension and the alien's extension of stay 

concurrently on Form I-129. When the alien is a beneficiary under a blanket petition, a new certificate of 

eligibility, accompanied by a copy of the previous approved certificate of eligibility, shall be filed by the petitioner 

to request an extension of the alien's stay. The petitioner must also request a petition extension. The dates of 

extension shall be the same for the petition and the beneficiary's extension of stay. The beneficiary must be 

physically present in the United States at the time the extension of stay is filed. Even though the requests to 

extend the visa petition and the alien's stay are combined on the petition, the director shall make a separate 

determination on each. If the alien is required to leave the United States for business or personal reasons while 

the extension requests are pending, the petitioner may request the director to cable notification of approval of 

the petition extension to the consular office abroad where the alien will apply for a visa. 

(ii) An extension of stay may be authorized in increments of up to two years for beneficiaries of individual and 

blanket petitions. The total period of stay may not exceed five years for aliens employed in a specialized 

knowledge capacity. The total period of stay for an alien employed in a managerial or executive capacity may 

not exceed seven years. No further extensions may be granted. When an alien was initially admitted to the 

United States in a specialized knowledge capacity and is later promoted to a managerial or executive position, 

he or she must have been employed in the managerial or executive position for at least six months to be eligible 

for the total period of stay of seven years. The change to managerial or executive capacity must have been 

approved by the Service in an amended, new, or extended petition at the time that the change occurred. 

(16) Effect of approval of a permanent labor certification or filing of a preference petition on L-1 classification. 

The approval of a permanent labor certification or the filing of a preference petition for an alien shall not be a 

basis for denying an L petition, a request to extend an L petition, or the alien's application for admission, change 

of status, or extension of stay. The alien may legitimately come to the United States as a nonimmigrant under 

the L classification and depart voluntarily at the end of his or her authorized stay, and at the same time, lawfully 

seek to become a permanent resident of the United States. 

(17) Filing of individual petitions and certifications under blanket petitions for citizens of Canada under the North 

American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Heading revised 1/1/94; 58 FR 69211) 

(i) Individual petitions. Except as provided in paragraph (l)(2)(ii) of this section (filing of blanket petitions), a 

United States or foreign employer seeking to classify a citizen of Canada as an intracompany transferee may file 

an individual petition in duplicate on Form I-129 in conjunction with an application for admission of the citizen of 

Canada. Such filing may be made with an immigration officer at a Class A port of entry located on the United 

States - Canada land border or at a United States pre-clearance/pre-flight station in Canada. The petitioning 

employer need not appear, but Form I-129 must bear the authorized signature of the petitioner. (Revised 1/1/94; 

58 FR 69211) 

(ii) Certification of eligibility for intracompany transferee under the blanket petition. An immigration officer at a 

location identified in paragraph (1)(17)(i) of this section may determine eligibility of individual citizens of Canada 

seeking L classification under approved blanket petitions. At these locations, such citizens of Canada shall 

present the original and two copies of Form I - 129S, Intracompany Transferee Certificate of Eligibility, prepared 

by the approved organization, as well as three copies of Form I - 797, Notice of Approval of Nonimmigrant Visa 

Petition. 

(iii) Nothing in this section shall preclude or discourage the advance filing of petitions and certificates of eligibility 

in accordance with paragraph (l)(2) of this section. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 91 
(iv) Deficient or deniable petitions or certificates of eligibility. If a petition or certificate of eligibility submitted

concurrently with an application for admission is lacking necessary supporting documentation or is otherwise

deficient, the inspecting immigration officer shall return it to the applicant for admission in order to obtain the

necessary documentation from the petitioner or for the deficiency to be overcome. The fee to file the petition will

be remitted at such time as the documentary or other deficiency is overcome. If the petition or certificate of

eligibility is clearly deniable, the immigration officer will accept the petition (with fee) and the petitioner shall be

notified of the denial, the reasons for denial, and the right of appeal. If a formal denial order cannot be issued by

the port of entry, the petition with a recommendation for denial shall be forwarded to the appropriate Service

Center for final action. For the purposes of this provision, the appropriate Service Center will be the one within

the same Service region as the location where the application for admission is made.

(v) Spouse and dependent minor children accompanying or following to join.

(A) The Canadian citizen spouse and Canadian citizen unmarried minor children of a Canadian citizen admitted

under this paragraph shall be entitled to the same nonimmigrant classification and same length of stay subject

to the same limits as the principal alien.

They shall not be required to present visas, and they shall be admitted under the classification symbol L - 2.

(B) A non-Canadian citizen spouse or non-Canadian citizen unmarried minor child shall be entitled to the same

nonimmigrant classification and the same length of stay subject to the same limits as the principal, but shall be

required to present a visa upon application for admission as an L - 2 unless otherwise exempt under Sec. 212.1

of this chapter.

(C) The spouse and dependent minor children shall not accept employment in the United States unless

otherwise authorized under the Act.

(18) Denial of intracompany transferee status to citizens of Canada or Mexico in the case of certain labor

disputes.

(i) If the Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or other labor dispute

involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress where the beneficiary is to be employed, and the temporary

entry of the beneficiary may affect adversely the settlement of such labor dispute or the employment of any

person who is involved in such dispute, a petition to classify a citizen of Mexico or Canada as an L-1

intracompany transferee may be denied. If a petition has already been approved, but the alien has not yet

entered the United States, or has entered the United States but not yet commenced employment, the approval

of the petition may be suspended, and an application for admission on the basis of the petition may be denied.

(ii) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or

other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (l)(18)(i) of this section, or the Service has not otherwise

been informed by the Secretary that such a strike or labor dispute is in progress, the Commissioner shall not

deny a petition or suspend an approved petition.

(iii) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States under an approved petition and is

participating in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or

other labor dispute has been certified by the Department of Labor, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to

maintain his or her status solely on account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor

dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions

(A) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and

regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other L nonimmigrants;

(B) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of

his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers; and

(C) Although participation by an L nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage

of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who remains in

the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation.

(Paragraph (l)(18) added 1/1/94; 58 FR 69211)

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 92 
OI 214.2(l) Intracompany Transferees. 

(1) General. The regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(l) are designed to facilitate the temporary transfer of foreign 

nationals with management, executive, and specialized knowledge skills to the United States to continue 

employment with an office of the same employer, its parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. Petitioners seeking 

to classify aliens as intracompany transferees must file an I-129L petition with the Service for a determination 

and whether the alien is eligible for L classification and whether the petitioner is a qualifying organization. 

(2) Basic requirements for L classification. The following requirement apply to all petitions filed for L 

classification: 

(i) There must be a qualifying relationship between the business entity in the United States and the foreign 

operation which employs the alien abroad; 

(ii) For the duration of the alien's stay in the United States as an intracompany transferee, the petitioner must 

continue to do business both in the United States and in at least one other country, either directly or through a 

parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. 

(iii) The alien must have been employed abroad continuously by the foreign operation for the immediate prior 

year. Although authorized periods of stay in the United States for the foreign employer are not interruptive of 

the immediate prior year of employment, such periods may not be counted towards the qualifying year of 

employment abroad. 

(iv) The alien's prior year of employment abroad must have been in a managerial, executive, or specialized 

knowledge capacity. The prospective employment in the United States must also be in a managerial, executive, 

or specialized knowledge capacity. However, the alien does not have to be transferred to the United States in 

the same capacity in which he or she was employed abroad. For example, a manager abroad could be 

transferred to the United States in a specialized knowledge capacity or vice versa. 

(v) The petitioner and the alien must have the intent for the alien to come to the United States for a temporary 

period and return abroad at the end of the authorized stay, unless the alien becomes a permanent resident of 

the United States during the authorized stay. The L classification may not be used for the principal purpose of 

circumventing the wait for a preference visa number. 

(3) Petitioner's status. The petitioner for an intracompany transferee must be a firm, corporation, or affiliate 

thereof which is seeking to transfer a foreign employee to the United States temporarily from one of its 

operations outside the United States. Either the United States employer or the foreign employer may file a 

petition with the Service to classify the alien as an intracompany transferee. The petitioner must be able to 

document the existence of foreign operations to which the employee can reasonably be expected to be 

transferred at the end of his or her assignment in the United States. The petitioner must be actively engaged in 

providing goods and/or services in the United States and abroad, either directly or through a parent, branch, 

subsidiary, or affiliate, with employee in both countries, for the duration of the alien's stay. The mere presence 

of an agent or office of the petitioner is insufficient evidence of this requirement. 

(4) Business relationships. 

(i) General. For purposes of L classification, ownership and control are the factors for establishing a qualifying 

relationship between business entities. The United States and foreign business must be legal entities. 

In the United States, a business is usually in the form of a corporation, partnership, or a proprietorship. 

(ii) Ownership. Ownership means the legal right of possession with full power and authority to control. 

(ii) Control. Control means the right and authority to direct the management and operations of the business 

entity. 

(iii) Description of Business entitles. The regulations define the legal entities included under the L classification. 

Evidence that the employer is a legal entity consists of evidence, such as articles of incorporation, partnership 

agreement, license to do business, or evidence of registration with the Internal Revenue Service as an 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 93 
employer. In petitions involving known corporations, no such evidence should be required. The petitioner is 

required to identify each of the qualifying organizations as one of the following business entities: 

(A) Parent. Any business entity which has subsidiaries is a parent. However, a subsidiary may own other 

subsidiaries and also be a parent, even though it has an ultimate parent. 

(B) Branch. An office or operating division of the same employer which is merely housed in a different location 

and is not established as a separate business entity is considered a branch. 

(C) Subsidiaries. The Service recognizes only three situations to constitute a subsidiary relationship: 

((1)) Where a parent directly or indirectly owns more than half of the entity and has control; 

((2)) Where a parent directly or indirectly owns 50% of a 50-50 joint venture and has equal control and veto 

power. The 50-50 joint venture can be owned and controlled by only two legal entities. All other combinations 

of a joint venture are not qualifying as a subsidiary; 

((3)) Where a parent directly or indirectly owns less than half of the entity, but has control because the other 

stock is widely dispersed among minor shareholders. This can happen, for example, when an individual or 

company acquires sufficient shares of a publicly held company to be able to nominate and elect the board of 

directors. 

(D) Affiliate. Subsidiaries are affiliates of each other. The affiliate relationship is due to the ownership and 

control of both subsidiaries by the same legal entity. Affiliation also exists between legal entities where an 

identical group of individuals own and control both businesses in basically the same proportions or percentages. 

Associations between companies based on factors such as ownership of a small amount of stock in another 

company, exchange of products or services, licensing or franchising agreements, membership on boards of 

directors, or the formation of consortiums or cartels do not create affiliate relationships between the entities for L 

purposes. 

(iv) Nonqualifying business relationships. The most common types of business relationships which are not 

qualifying under the L category are those based on contractual, licensing, and franchise agreements. There 

are probably numerous others, such as less than 50-50 joint ventures and charter membership arrangements, 

that are not qualifying. The petitioner must document ownership and control of both legal entities to meet the 

qualifying relationships specified in the regulations. 

(5) Alien's employment. 

(i) Capacities. Detailed descriptions of the alien's prior year of employment abroad and of the intended 

employment in the United States are required from the petitioner to determine if the alien was and will be 

employed in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity. 

(A) Managerial or executive capacity. The discussion of managerial and executive capacity that follows 

provides guidance for applying the definition of these terms to specific case situations: 

((1)) An executive or managerial capacity requires a certain level of authority and an approximate mix of job 

duties. Managers and executives plan, organize, direct, and control an organization's major functions and work 

through other employees to achieve the organization's goals. Supervisors who plan, schedule, and supervise 

the day-to-day work of nonprofessional employees are not employed in an executive or managerial capacity, 

even though they may be referred to as managers in their particular organization. In addition, individuals who 

primarily perform the tasks necessary to produce the product(s) or provide the service(s) of an organization are 

not employed in an executive or managerial capacity. 

((2)) Eligibility requires that the duties of a position be primarily of an executive or managerial nature. The test is 

basic to ensure that a person not only has requisite authority, but that a majority of his or her duties relate to 

operational or policy management, not to the supervision of lower level employees, performance of the duties of 

another type of position, or other involvement in the operational activities of the company, such as doing sales 

work or operating machines or supervising those that do. This does not mean that the executive or manager 

cannot regularly apply his or her technical or professional expertise to a particular problem. The definitions are 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 94 
not intended to exclude from the duties of a manager or executive activities that are not strictly managerial, but 

are common to those positions, such as customer and public relations and lobbying and contracting. 

((3)) An executive may manage a function within an organization. It must be clearly demonstrated, however, 

that the function is not directly performed by the executive. If the function itself is performed by the intended 

executive, the position should be viewed as a staff officer or specialist, not as an executive. In general, 

classification in a specialized knowledge capacity is more appropriate for individuals who control and perform a 

function within an organization, but do not have subordinate staff, except perhaps a personal staff. 

((4)) If a small or medium-sized business supports a position wherein the duties are primarily executive or 

managerial, it can qualify under the L category. However, neither the title of a position nor ownership of the 

business are, by themselves, indicators of managerial or executive capacity. For example, a physician may 

incorporate his or her practice for business purposes and may hire a receptionist, bookkeeper, and a nurse to 

assist in that medical practice. For L purposes, the physician is not a manager, but a person who primarily 

practices his or her professional skills as a physician. 

((5)) The L beneficiary who is coming to the United States to open a new office may be classified as a manager 

or executive during the one year required to reach the "doing business" standard if the factors surrounding the 

establishment of the proposed organization are such that it can be expected that the organization will, within one 

year, support a managerial or executive position. The factors to be considered include amount of investment, 

intended personnel structure, product or service to be provided, physical premises, and viability of the foreign 

operation. It is expected that a manager or executive who is required to open a new business or office will be 

more actively involved in day-to-day operations during the initial phases of the business, but must also have 

authority and plans to hire staff and have wide latitude in making decisions about the goals and management of 

the organization. 

(B) Specialized knowledge capacity. The term "specialized knowledge" implies that eligibility is dependent upon 

a showing that a person possesses a type of knowledge and advanced level of expertise that are different from 

the ordinary or usual in a particular field, process, or function. Knowledge which is widely held or related to 

common practices or techniques and which is readily available in the United States job market is not specialized 

for purposes of L classification. The level of knowledge required and the employment of the specific alien must 

directly relate to the proprietary interest of the petitioner. To be proprietary, the knowledge must relate to 

something which relates exclusively to the petitioner's business. For example, knowledge which is essential to a 

special research program, or expert knowledge regarding a firm's materially different product or manufacturing 

process may be deemed specialized. Further, the employment of the beneficiary or a person with equivalent 

knowledge must be critical to the petitioner's proprietary interests. Eligibility under section 101(a)(15)(L) does 

not extend t persons whose general knowledge and expertise enable them to merely produce a product or 

provide a service. For example, chefs and specialty cooks are not considered to have specialized knowledge, 

even though they may have knowledge of a restaurant's special recipes. 

(ii) Nature of employment. 

(A) Temporary services. The intracompany transferee must be coming to the United States for a temporary 

period, but may perform services that are permanent or temporary in nature. The petitioner is not required to 

explain the need for the alien's services for the temporary period, nor is the petitioner required to specify some 

event which will cause the petitioner to terminate the alien's services in the United States. The dates of 

employment must be within the limits prescribed by the Service for a temporary stay in the L category. 

(B) Extent of service. It must be established that the alien will be rendering services to and employed by the 

entity inside the United States. The statute does not require the beneficiary to perform full-time services within 

the United States. It must be established, however, that a significant portion of the alien's time, on a regular or 

systematic basis, is spent performing managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge activities which are a part 

of or directly affect the day-to-day operations of the United States entity. There must be evidence of productive 

employment in the United States. Generally, activities alone, such as conferring with officials, attending 

meetings and conferences, and participating in training are not considered productive employment and are 

appropriate for B-1 classification. 

(6) Documentation. The burden is on the petitioner to provide the documentation required to establish eligibility 

for L classification. The regulations do not require submission of extensive evidence of business relationships, 

the alien's employment, and the petitioner and alien's temporary intent. In most cases, completion of the items 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 95 
on the petition and supplementary explanations by an authorized official of the petitioning company will suffice. 

In doubtful or marginal cases, the director may require other appropriate evidence which he or she deems 

necessary to establish eligibility in a particular case. 

(ii) Individual petition. An individual petition involves the transfer of one alien between two qualifying 

organizations. The types of documentation required to establish L eligibility are: 

(A) Business relationship. 

((1)) Large, established organizations. Such organizations may submit a statement by the company's 

president, corporate attorney, corporate secretary, or other authorized official describing the ownership 

and control of each qualifying organization, accompanied by other evidence such as a copy of its most 

recent annual report, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, or other documentation which lists 

the parent and its subsidiaries. 

((2)) Small business and marginal operations. In addition to a statement of an authorized official 

regarding ownership and control of each qualifying organization, other evidence of ownership and 

control should be submitted, such as records of stock ownership, profit and loss statements or other 

accountant's reports, tax returns, or articles of incorporation, by-laws, and minutes of board meetings. 

((3)) New offices. If the beneficiary is coming to the United States to open a new office, proof of 

ownership and control, in addition to financial Viability, is required. The petitioners' statement of 

ownership and control should be accompanied by appropriate evidence such as evidence of 

capitalization of the company or evidence of financial resources committed by the foreign company, 

articles of incorporation, by-laws, and minutes of board of directors' meetings, corporate bank 

statements, profit and loss statements or other accountants' reports, or tax returns. 

((4)) Partnerships. To establish who owns and controls a partnership, a copy of the partnership 

agreement must be submitted. To establish what the partnership owns and controls, other evidence 

may be necessary. 

((5)) Proprietorships. In cases where the business is not a separate legal entity from the owner(s), 

the petitioner's statement of ownership and control must be accompanied by evidence, such as a 

license to do business, record of registration as an employer with the Internal Revenue Service, 

business tax returns, or other evidence which identifies the owner(s) of the businesses. 

(B) Alien's employment. To document the alien's employment abroad and the alien's intended employment in 

the United States, a letter signed by an authorized official of the petitioner describing the prospective employee's 

employment abroad for at least the prior year and the intended employment in the United States, including the 

dates of employment, job titles, specific job duties, number and types of employees supervised, qualifications for 

the job, level of authority, salary, and dates of time spent in the United States during the previous year. In cases 

where the accuracy of the statement is in question, the director may require other evidence, such as wage and 

earning statements or an employment letter from an authorized official of the employing company abroad. 

(C) Temporary intent. 

((1)) General. A petitioner may legitimately have the intent to use the services of an alien lawfully for a 

temporary period and, in the future, to permanently employ the alien when and if the petitioner can 

lawfully do so; the alien may also legitimately have the intent to come to the United States temporarily 

and depart voluntarily at the end of his or her authorized stay unless, within that period, the alien has 

become a permanent resident of the United States. The temporary admission may not be sought, 

however, for the principal purpose of immigrating prematurely. The regulations clarify that the burden is 

on the petitioner and alien to establish the requisite intent. In view of this, the approval of a permanent 

labor certification or the filing of a preference petition for an alien is not by itself a ground to deny an L 

petition or a request for extension of stay during the five/six-year period allowed for a temporary stay 

unless the director determines that certain conditions have not been met. The regulations provide 

examples of factors which the director should consider in determining whether those conditions are 

met. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 96 
((2)) Criteria for determining intent. Under the Act, nonimmigrant categories cannot be used to wait for a 

visa number to become available. Although the regulations specify examples of criteria for determining 

intent, the petitioner and the alien are not precluded from providing evidence of other factors which they 

believed can more appropriately demonstrate their intent. Extensive documentation is not required to 

demonstrate intent. Most factors require a written explanation from the petitioner and the alien. Others 

can be determined form the facts of the petition. Examples of certain factors are: 

((i)) For L classification, the existence of operations and an appropriate position abroad to which 

the alien can be transferred at the end of the authorized stay is the most significant factor to 

consider in determining extent. Intracompany transferee status envisions a temporary transfer 

to the United States with expectations of returning to a position with the petitioner's 

operations(s) abroad. For example, the fact that a permanent labor certification has been 

obtained or a preference petition has been filed for the alien, along with evidence that there 

does not exist an appropriate position abroad to which give the Service reason to believe that 

the petitioner and the alien intend permanent residence. 

((ii)) Although intent must be determined in each case, a petitioner's past history of employing 

aliens is some evidence of his intentions. For example, if the petitioner transferred 20 Ls to the 

United States during the past three years and all became permanent residents based on their 

employment with the petitioner, it would be reasonable to consider, in the absence of other 

evidence to the contrary, that the petitioner is using the L category to permanently staff the U.S. 

operation in advance of the availability of visa numbers. 

((iii)) Blanket petition. The blanket petition program allows a petitioner to seek continuing 

approval of itself, its parent, and its branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates as qualifying 

organizations and, later, classification under section 101 (a) (15) (L) of multiple numbers of 

aliens employed by itself, its parent, or some of its branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates. The 

program is restricted to relatively large international employers who are engaged in commercial 

trade or services. The petitioner is required to document that it meets certain criteria to file a 

blanket petition and to document the relationship between the qualifying organizations which will 

be included in the blanket petition. When the blanket petition is adjudicated, the decision 

relates only to these factors. Whether alien beneficiaries of the blanket petition qualify for L 

classification is later determined by a consular office when the alien applies for a visa or by a 

Service officer if the alien is visa-exempt or applying for a change of status. An alien, who for 

the previous year has been employed by a qualifying organization as a manager, executive, or 

specialized knowledge professional, is eligible to transfer to the United States to a qualifying 

organization listed in the blanket petition as a manager, executive, or specialized knowledge 

professional. 

(A) Eligibility to file a blanket petition. The petitioner must submit a written statement and appropriate 

evidence to document that it meets the criteria to file a blanket petition: 

((1)) All of the organization listed in the blanket petition must be engaged in commercial trade or 

services. The petitioner's statement that the organizations provide goods and/or services for profit 

satisfies this requirement. 

((2)) The petitioner must identify in its written statement an office in the United States which has been 

doing business for a year or longer. The date that officer was established should be indicated by the 

petitioner. 

((3)) Inclusion of three or more organizations in the blanket petition is adequate evidence that the 

petitioner has three or more domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates. 

((4)) The final criteria allows the petitioner to document one of three factors. The petitioner should 

submit copies of Form I-171C to show that it has transferred ten "L" managers, executives, or 

specialized knowledge professionals to the United States in the previous 12 months. The Petitioner's 

statement regarding the combined annual sales of its United States organizations or the size of its 

United States workforce may be accepted as evidence of the alternative criteria. A copy of the 

company's annual report may also provide this information. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 97 
(B) Business relationship. The petitioner must submit a statement signed by the company's president, 

corporate attorney, corporate secretary. or other authorized official describing the ownership and control of the 

organizations included in the blanket petition, accompanied by supporting evidence, such as the company's 

latest annual report, Security and Exchange Commission filings, or another appropriate document which lists the 

company's parent and subsidiaries. 

(C) Certificate of Eligibility. Form I-129S, Certificate of Eligibility, is the form used exclusively for beneficiaries 

of blanket petitions. When a qualifying organization seeks to transfer an alien to the United States against a 

blanket petition, the qualifying organization completes the certificate of eligibility for the alien. The alien must 

provide the consular officer, or a Service officer if the certificate is for a visa-exempt alien or involves a change 

of status, the following documents with this form to support eligibility for L Classification: 

((1)) A letter from the prospective employee's employer abroad confirming his or her dates of 

employment, job duties, qualifications, and salary for at least the previous year. 

((2)) Records of educational training, degrees, and other pertinent evidence to document that the 

prospective employee is a specialized knowledge professional. 

(7) Limits on a temporary stay. 

(i) General. The total period of a temporary stay in the United States for an L nonimmigrant is limited to 

five years, except where a sixth year is granted in extraordinary circumstances. Although an alien may 

be admitted initially for a period up to three years and given extensions in increments of two years, each 

period of stay requested and authorized may be less than the maximum period allowed. Therefore, the 

number of petitions and extensions granted during the five/six years are not relevant as long as the 

alien's total period of stay does not exceed the five/six-year limit. The five/six-year limit applies to the 

alien's total period of stay, regardless of the number of changes in employers or change in classification 

from the L to the H nonimmigrant category. The five/six-year limit applies to both current and future L 

visa holders. 

(ii) Extraordinary circumstances. An extension to the sixth year must recommended by the director to 

the Administrative Appeals Unit (AAU). The director may deny the extension to the sixth year, but must 

certify an approval to the AAU. Approval of the sixth year is only granted in extraordinary circumstances 

which exist when it is found: 

(A) that termination of the alien's services will impose extreme hardship on the petitioner's business 

operation, such as significant layoffs of U.S. workers, cessation of the petitioner's business, or 

severe financial losses; or 

(B) the alien's services are in the national welfare, safety, or security interests of the United States, 

such as completion of work on an essential military contract, a research project which has national 

significance, or work which is essential to U.S. Government intelligence or security. 

(iii) Limit on readmission. 

(A) Rationale. An alien who seeks to remain in the United States continuously or to reenter in a 

work-authorized capacity a short time after spending a five/ six-year period of time in the United 

States is viewed by the Service as having a permanent intent to remain in the United States and 

thus, should be classified as an immigrant, rather than a nonimmigrant. By residing outside the 

United States for one year after spending five/ six years in the United States, the alien will have 

demonstrated that he or she has the temporary intent required for H-1 or L classification. 

(B) Limitation. After a five/six-Year period of stay, the alien cannot reenter the United States in the 

H or L visa classifications unless he or she has resided and been physically present outside the 

United States for one year. Brief trips to the United States for business or pleasure will not be 

interruptive of the one-year requirement, but will not count towards fulfillment of that requirement. 

For aliens who reside continually in the United States for extended periods, the filing of a new 

petition after spending a short time abroad will not exempt the alien from the five/six-year limit. The 

new petition's approval period should be based on the five/six-year limit. For example, a 

Petition's for an alien who spends three years in the U.S. and leaves for three months will receive 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 98 
an approval period of no more than two years, after which the alien must reside abroad for one 

year. 

(iv) Exception to the five/six-year limit. The regulations provide exceptions to the five/six-year limit on a 

temporary stay and the requirement for the alien to reside abroad for one year after a five/six-year 

authorized stay in the U.S. The limitations do not apply to aliens who do not employment in the United 

States is seasonal, intermittent, or an aggregate of six months or less per year. In addition, the 

limitations will not apply to aliens who reside abroad and regularly commute to the United States to 

engage in part-time employment. Examples of aliens who would qualify for an exception are 

entertainers, professional athletes, some university faculty, and businessmen who work part-time or 

intermittently in the United States. Th burden is on the petitioner and the alien to establish that the alien 

qualifies for an exception. 

(8) Extension of stay procedure. 

(i) General. The regulations eliminated the requirement to file a petition extension to extend the stay of 

an L beneficiary. They require only the filing of an application for extension of stay by the beneficiary, 

along with supporting documents. Approval of the alien's extension of stay will result in automatic 

extension of the petition for the same period. 

(ii) Appeal. The Service does not provide appellate review of an alien's application for extension of stay. 

A decision to grant or deny the application is discretionary. Due process does not require the Service to 

provide appellate review of the discretionary denial of an application for a benefit conferred on a 

nonimmigrant. When novel or unusually complex issues are presented, the application should receive 

supervisory-level review. An alien who believes that his or her application has been arbitrarily or 

erroneously denied may file a motion to reopen or reconsider the case, request certification, or seek 

judicial relief. A denial of the extension of stay application requires no action on the petition; therefore, 

there is no decision on the petition to appeal. However, the petitioner is not precluded form filing a new 

petition in the alien's behalf. 

(9) Re-adjudication of L eligibility. 

(i) General. The eligibility of the alien for L classification may be re-adjudicated when the initial 

classification involved gross error or when the petitioner and/or alien no longer met eligibility 

requirements for L classification. These circumstances will be detected usually at the time the 

application for extension of stay is filed. 

(ii) Procedure. Eligibility for L classification is determined when the petition is adjudicated. Because the 

request for extension does not require the filing of a petition extension, the director must motion to 

reopen or reconsider the petition in order to readjudicate eligibility for L classification. The situation may 

involve circumstances where the alien was clearly not a manager or executive or the petitioner no 

longer maintains an operation abroad. It is inappropriate to deny the alien's extension of stay 

application on these grounds, since these are factors which relate to the petition. The petition must be 

reopened and readjudicated, and if denied, the alien's application for extension of stay is also denied 

since there is not an approved petition to support the employment. 

(10) Other. 

(i) Investigations. The adjudicator shall not request an overseas investigation of the qualifications of a 

beneficiary of an L-1 petition if there are other grounds for denial of the petition. The request for an 

overseas investigation shall be accompanied by copies of the Form I-129L and supporting documents. 

There is a high incidence of misrepresentation involving work experience gained in Hong Kong, Taiwan, 

the Peoples Republic of China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. Even so, when the adjudicating officer is 

convinced that the evidence substantiates the work experience for an L-1 nonimmigrant, the petition may 

be approved. The officer shall send all other L-1 nonimmigrant petitions for these countries for 

investigation. 

Service field offices will, without exception, submit requests for such investigation directly to and only to the 

Officer-In-Charge, Hong Kong, in cases involving beneficiaries who allegedly gained work experience in 

Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China, or Taiwan or to the Officer-in-Charge, New Delhi, in cases 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 99 
involving beneficiaries who allegedly gained work experience in Bangladesh, India, or Pakistan. Requests 

will not be made directly to an Embassy or Consulate. 

Any request for an overseas investigation must be accompanied by copies of Form I-129B and all 

supporting documents. All requests for overseas investigation must be made in accordance with the 

general provisions of OI 103.1(c)(1). 

The adjudicator shall attach any report of investigation of the beneficiary's qualifications to the approved 

petition when it is forwarded to the consulate at which the visa application is to be made. 

(ii) Soviet-bloc nationals. When the beneficiary is a Soviet-bloc national, the notice of approval on Form I171C shall instruct the petitioner to notify the Service office having jurisdiction over the port of departure 24 

hours in advance of the alien's proposed departure; that office shall insure that Form I-94 showing facts of 

departure is promptly received and forwarded to the Central office. 

(Entire OI 214.2(1) revised TM 2/87) 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 100 
Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.4 

(l) Intracompany Transferees. 

(1) Classification: L-1 Includes aliens entering to render services to a branch, parent, subsidiary, or 

affiliate of the company of previous employment outside the United States. 

Documents required: Passport valid for 6 months at time of entry unless exempt. Nonimmigrant visa (L-l) 

unless exempt. Must have evidence of approved I-129 petition in the form of a notation on the 

nonimmigrant visa indicating the petition number and employer's name, or a Notice of Action, Form I-797, 

indicating approval, unless the applicant is a Canadian citizen. In that case, the alien may file the I-129 at a 

Canadian pre-flight station or Canadian land border port-of-entry at the time he or she applies for admission. 

If arriving at an airport without having been inspected preflight, a Canadian applicant must have evidence of 

petition approval, Form I-797. 

Qualifications: Must be in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity but may be 

transferred from any one of the capacities to another (e.g. from management to executive). All 

nonimmigrant grounds of inadmissibility apply. Must have worked for the company (branch, parent, 

subsidiary, or affiliate) outside the U.S. for at least 1 continuous year within the preceding 3 years [See 8 

CFR 214.2(l) and 22 CFR 41.54.]. 

Terms of admission: Admit L-1 for validity of petition (up to 3 years initially). 

Notations on I-94: Front: L-1, (date to which admitted). Reverse: Petition number and occupation from list 

in Adjudicator's Field Manual Appendix 31-1. 

Special notes: 

(A) Dependents. Admit the spouse and children as L-2. 

(B) Petition limitations. Petition may be approved for up to 3 years, except start-up companies which 

are limited initially to 1 year. Expiration date of visa will usually be the same as the validity of the petition. 

The maximum stay in the U.S. for an L-1 specialized knowledge employee is 5 years. The maximum stay in 

the U.S. for an L-1, executive or manager is 7 years. 

(C) Blanket petitions. Some L aliens may be admitted on "blanket" petitions, i.e. petitions approved for 

large companies where corporate requirements are not re-adjudicated with each individual L alien. An alien 

may not be initially admitted if the company's blanket petition approval has expired but may be readmitted to 

complete a previously authorized period of stay. Maximum initial period of admission for a blanket L-1 is 3 

years. Blanket petition applicants will have Form I-129S in their possession. 

(D) NAFTA L aliens. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a Canadian citizen 

may file an I-129 for an L-1 classification in conjunction with his/her application for admission at certain land 

border ports-of-entry and preflight inspection stations. Because of this, officers must be completely familiar 

with the adjudication process of an I-129 petition for L-1 benefits. The following procedure may serve as a 

guideline: 

(1) Determine applicant to be a Canadian citizen and otherwise eligible for admission; 

(2) Be sure the I-129 is completed in duplicate and signed; 

(3) Determine qualifying relationship between the U.S. and Canadian entities. Very often a great 

volume of material is not necessary; 

(4) Verify that the applicant was employed abroad by the Canadian entity in a qualifying capacity for a 

period of 1 year during the prior 3 years immediately preceding the date of application for admission; 

(5) The job offer by the U.S. entity must place the applicant in a qualifying managerial, executive or 

specialized knowledge capacity. Examine supporting documentation. Form M-332, Instructions for Filing I129 Petition for Intracompany Transferee, is a good source of information concerning acceptable 

supporting documentation; 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 101 
(6) Collect fee, place fee stamp, approval stamp, and officer signature in proper places on the I-129; 

(7) Prepare I-94 multiple entry for 1 year if the alien is coming to a new office, (i.e. in business for less 

than 1 year) 3 years if other than new office; 

(8) Make sure alien receives the I-94, a receipt for the fee paid, Form I-9 and M-279 for initial 

admission. Advise the alien that he or she will receive an I-797, Notice of Action, from the service center; 

and 

(9) Attach arrival copy of I-94 to "record of proceedings," (original I-129 with supporting documents) and 

forward to the Service Center that has jurisdiction over your port-of-entry. 

(2) Classification: L-2 Includes spouse and children of L-1. 

Documents required: Passport valid for 6 months at time of entry unless exempt. Nonimmigrant visa (L-2) 

unless exempt. 

Qualifications: Must have the required family relationship with the principal alien. Must be accompanying or 

following to join the principal L-1. All nonimmigrant grounds of inadmissibility apply. 

Terms of admission: Admit L-2, same period as principal. 

Notations on I-94: L-2, (date to which admitted). 

Special notes: 

(A) Employment authorization: Spouse and children may not work as L-2 but may attend school without 

changing status 

(B) NAFTA L dependents. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement, only the applicant need 

be a Canadian/Mexican citizen. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 102 
Requirements for Admission: 

The NAFTA intracompany transferee must qualify under the existing requirements for L classification, 

including: 

- Citizenship. To qualify for the NAFTA intracompany transferee classification, the applicant must 

establish Canadian or Mexican citizenship. 

- Qualifying Capacity. The applicant must qualify in a capacity that is managerial, executive, or one 

involving specialized knowledge. 

- Qualifying Entity. The applicant must be seeking entry to work for an entity in the U.S. that is the 

parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the entity in the foreign country. 

- Qualifying Past Employment. The applicant must have been employed continuously for 1 year in the 

previous past 3 years with the qualifying entity abroad in a qualifying capacity. 

Terms of Admission: Form I-129, Petition for Temporary Worker, must be filed in the applicant's behalf to 

accord the alien classification as an L-1. The petition must be submitted by the qualifying entity to the 

Service, in accordance with the instructions to that form. The Service will provide the NAFTA intracompany 

transferee and dependents with Forms I-94 at the time of admission endorsed in the same manner as other 

class L admissions. The I-94 is the employment authorization document for the L-1 and may be presented 

to the Social Security Administration for the purpose of applying for a social security number. Periods of 

admission and extension for NAFTA L aliens are the same as for other L nonimmigrants. 

(A) Citizens of Canada. A citizen of Canada is not required to, but may obtain, a nonimmigrant visa. 

The applicant must establish Canadian citizenship. 

The I-129 petition may be filed (in duplicate) by the U.S. or foreign employer in advance of entry or in 

conjunction with an application for admission. When filing in advance, the petition should be submitted to 

the appropriate Service Center at least 30 days in advance of the expected date of entry. The applicant 

must present evidence of the approved petition at the time of application for admission. If the petition is filed 

with an application for admission, such filing must be made with an immigration officer at a Class A port-ofentry located on the US-Canada land border or at a U.S. pre-clearance/pre-flight station in Canada. The 

petitioning employer need not appear, but the Form I-129 must bear the authorized signature of the 

petitioner and all documentation and the appropriate filing fee must accompany the petition. 

(B) Citizens of Mexico. A citizen of Mexico must apply for an L visa at an American consulate. At the 

port-of-entry, the applicant must present a valid Mexican passport with their L-1 visa. 

Basic requirements for L classification. The following requirement apply to all petitions filed for L 

classification: 

(i) There must be a qualifying relationship between the business entity in the United States and the 

foreign operation which employs the alien abroad; 

(ii) For the duration of the alien's stay in the United States as an intracompany transferee, the petitioner 

must continue to do business both in the United States and in at least one other country, either directly 

or through a parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate. 

(iii) The alien must have been employed abroad continuously by the foreign operation for the immediate 

prior year. Although authorized periods of stay in the United States for the foreign employer are not 

interruptive of the immediate prior year of employment, such periods may not be counted towards the 

qualifying year of employment abroad. 

(iv) The alien's prior year of employment abroad must have been in a managerial, executive, or 

specialized knowledge capacity. The prospective employment in the United States must also be in a 

managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity. However, the alien does not have to be 

transferred to the United States in the same capacity in which he or she was employed abroad. For 

example, a manager abroad could be transferred to the United States in a specialized knowledge 

capacity or vice versa. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 103 
(v) The petitioner and the alien must have the intent for the alien to come to the United States for a 

temporary period and return abroad at the end of the authorized stay, unless the alien becomes a 

permanent resident of the United States during the authorized stay. The L classification may not be 

used for the principal purpose of circumventing the wait for a preference visa number. 

Petitioner's status. The petitioner for an intracompany transferee must be a firm, corporation, or affiliate 

thereof which is seeking to transfer a foreign employee to the United States temporarily from one of its 

operations outside the United States. Either the United States employer or the foreign employer may file a 

petition with the Service to classify the alien as an intracompany transferee. The petitioner must be able to 

document the existence of foreign operations to which the employee can reasonably be expected to be 

transferred at the end of his or her assignment in the United States. The petitioner must be actively 

engaged in providing goods and/or services in the United States and abroad, either directly or through a 

parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, with employee in both countries, for the duration of the alien's stay. 

The mere presence of an agent or office of the petitioner is insufficient evidence of this requirement. 

Business relationships. 

For purposes of L classification, ownership and control are the factors for establishing a qualifying 

relationship between business entities. The United States and foreign business must be legal entities. 

In the United States, a business is usually in the form of a corporation, partnership, or a proprietorship. 

Ownership. Ownership means the legal right of possession with full power and authority to control. 

Control. Control means the right and authority to direct the management and operations of the 

business entity. 

Description of Business entities. The regulations define the legal entities included under the L 

classification. Evidence that the employer is a legal entity consists of evidence, such as articles of 

incorporation, partnership agreement, license to do business, or evidence of registration with the Internal 

Revenue Service as an employer. In petitions involving known corporations, no such evidence should be 

required. The petitioner is required to identify each of the qualifying organizations as one of the following 

business entities: 

Parent. Any business entity which has subsidiaries is a parent. However, a subsidiary may own other 

subsidiaries and also be a parent, even though it has an ultimate parent. 

Branch. An office or operating division of the same employer which is merely housed in a different location 

and is not established as a separate business entity is considered a branch. 

Subsidiaries. The Service recognizes only three situations to constitute a subsidiary relationship: 

(1) Where a parent directly or indirectly owns more than half of the entity and has control; 

(2) Where a parent directly or indirectly owns 50% of a 50-50 joint venture and has equal control 

and veto power. The 50-50 joint venture can be owned and controlled by only two legal entities. All 

other combinations of a joint venture are not qualifying as a subsidiary; 

(3) Where a parent directly or indirectly owns less than half of the entity, but has control because 

the other stock is widely dispersed among minor shareholders. This can happen, for example, 

when an individual or company acquires sufficient shares of a publicly-held company to be able to 

nominate and elect the board of directors. 

Affiliate. Subsidiaries are affiliates of each other. The affiliate relationship is due to the ownership and 

control of both subsidiaries by the same legal entity. Affiliation also exists between legal entities where an 

identical group of individuals own and control both businesses in basically the same proportions or 

percentages. Associations between companies based on factors such as ownership of a small amount of 

stock in another company, exchange of products or services, licensing or franchising agreements, 

membership on boards of directors, or the formation of consortiums or cartels do not create affiliate 

relationships between the entities for L purposes. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 104 
Nonqualifying business relationships. The most common types of business relationships which are not 

qualifying under the L category are those based on contractual, licensing, and franchise agreements. There 

are probably numerous others, such as less than 50-50 joint ventures and charter membership 

arrangements that are not qualifying. The petitioner must document ownership and control of both legal 

entities to meet the qualifying relationships specified in the regulations. 

ALIEN'S EMPLOYMENT. 

Detailed descriptions of the alien's prior year of employment abroad and of the intended employment in the 

United States are required from the petitioner to determine if the alien was and will be employed in a 

managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity. 

Managerial or executive capacity. The discussion of managerial and executive capacity that follows 

provides guidance for applying the definition of these terms to specific case situations: 

(1) An executive or managerial capacity requires a certain level of authority and an approximate mix of 

job duties. Managers and executives plan, organize, direct, and control an organization's major 

functions and work through other employees to achieve the organization's goals. Supervisors who plan, 

schedule, and supervise the day-to-day work of nonprofessional employees are not employed in an 

executive or managerial capacity, even though they may be referred to as managers in their particular 

organization. In addition, individuals who primarily perform the tasks necessary to produce the 

product(s) or provide the service(s) of an organization are not employed in an executive or managerial 

capacity. 

(2) Eligibility requires that the duties of a position be primarily of an executive or managerial nature. The 

test is basic to ensure that a person not only has requisite authority, but that a majority of his or her 

duties relate to operational or policy management, not to the supervision of lower level employees, 

performance of the duties of another type of position, or other involvement in the operational activities 

of the company, such as doing sales work or operating machines or supervising those that do. This 

does not mean that the executive or manager cannot regularly apply his or her technical or professional 

expertise to a particular problem. The definitions are not intended to exclude from the duties of a 

manager or executive activities that are not strictly managerial, but are common to those positions, 

such as customer and public relations and lobbying and contracting. 

(3) An executive may manage a function within an organization. It must be clearly demonstrated, 

however, that the function is not directly performed by the executive. If the function itself is performed 

by the intended executive, the position should be viewed as a staff officer or specialist, not as an 

executive. In general, classification in a specialized knowledge capacity is more appropriate for 

individuals who control and perform a function within an organization, but do not have subordinate staff, 

except perhaps a personal staff. 

(4) If a small or medium-sized business supports a position wherein the duties are primarily executive or 

managerial, it can qualify under the L category. However, neither the title of a position nor ownership of 

the business are, by themselves, indicators of managerial or executive capacity. For example, a 

physician may incorporate his or her practice for business purposes and may hire a receptionist, 

bookkeeper, and a nurse to assist in that medical practice. For L purposes, the physician is not a 

manager, but a person who primarily practices his or her professional skills as a physician. 

(5) The L beneficiary who is coming to the United States to open a new office may be classified as a 

manager or executive during the one year required to reach the "doing business" standard if the factors 

surrounding the establishment of the proposed organization are such that it can be expected that the 

organization will, within one year, support a managerial or executive position. The factors to be 

considered include amount of investment, intended personnel structure, product or service to be 

provided, physical premises, and viability of the foreign operation. It is expected that a manager or 

executive who is required to open a new business or office will be more actively involved in day-to-day 

operations during the initial phases of the business, but must also have authority and plans to hire staff 

and have wide latitude in making decisions about the goals and management of the organization. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 105 
Specialized knowledge capacity. The term "specialized knowledge" implies that eligibility is dependent 

upon a showing that a person possesses a type of knowledge and advanced level of expertise that are 

different from the ordinary or usual in a particular field, process, or function. Knowledge which is widely held 

or related to common practices or techniques and which is readily available in the United States job market 

is not specialized for purposes of L classification. The level of knowledge required and the employment of 

the specific alien must directly relate to the proprietary interest of the petitioner. To be proprietary, the 

knowledge must relate to something which relates exclusively to the petitioner's business. For example, 

knowledge which is essential to a special research program, or expert knowledge regarding a firm's 

materially different product or manufacturing process may be deemed specialized. Further, the employment 

of the beneficiary or a person with equivalent knowledge must be critical to the petitioner's proprietary 

interests. Eligibility under section 101(a)(15)(L) does not extend t persons whose general knowledge and 

expertise enable them to merely produce a product or provide a service. For example, chefs and specialty 

cooks are not considered to have specialized knowledge, even though they may have knowledge of a 

restaurant's special recipes. 

Nature of employment. 

Temporary services. The intracompany transferee must be coming to the United States for a temporary 

period, but may perform services that are permanent or temporary in nature. The petitioner is not required 

to explain the need for the alien's services for the temporary period, nor is the petitioner required to specify 

some event which will cause the petitioner to terminate the alien's services in the United States. The dates 

of employment must be within the limits prescribed by the Service for a temporary stay in the L category. 

Extent of service. It must be established that the alien will be rendering services to and employed by the 

entity inside the United States. The statute does not require the beneficiary to perform full-time services 

within the United States. It must be established, however, that a significant portion of the alien's time, on a 

regular or systematic basis, is spent performing managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge activities 

which are a part of or directly affect the day-to-day operations of the United States entity. There must be 

evidence of productive employment in the United States. Generally, activities alone, such as conferring with 

officials, attending meetings and conferences, and participating in training are not considered productive 

employment and are appropriate for B-1 classification. 

Documentation. The burden is on the petitioner to provide the documentation required to establish 

eligibility for L classification. The regulations do not require submission of extensive evidence of business 

relationships, the alien's employment, and the petitioner and alien's temporary intent. In most cases, 

completion of the items on the petition and supplementary explanations by an authorized official of the 

petitioning company will suffice. In doubtful or marginal cases, the director may require other appropriate 

evidence which he or she deems necessary to establish eligibility in a particular case. 

Individual petition. An individual petition involves the transfer of one alien between two qualifying 

organizations. The types of documentation required to establish L eligibility are: 

(A) Business relationship. 

(1) Large, established organizations. Such organizations may submit a statement by the company's 

president, corporate attorney, corporate secretary, or other authorized official describing the ownership 

and control of each qualifying organization, accompanied by other evidence such as a copy of its most 

recent annual report, Securities and Exchange Commission filings, or other documentation which lists 

the parent and its subsidiaries. 

(2) Small business and marginal operations. In addition to a statement of an authorized official 

regarding ownership and control of each qualifying organization, other evidence of ownership and 

control should be submitted, such as records of stock ownership, profit and loss statements or other 

accountant's reports, tax returns, or articles of incorporation, by-laws, and minutes of board meetings. 

(3) New offices. If the beneficiary is coming to the United States to open a new office, proof of 

ownership and control, in addition to financial Viability, is required. The petitioners' statement of 

ownership and control should be accompanied by appropriate evidence such as evidence of 

capitalization of the company or evidence of financial resources committed by the foreign company, 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 106 
articles of incorporation, by-laws, and minutes of board of directors' meetings, corporate bank 

statements, profit and loss statements or other accountant's reports, or tax returns. 

(4) Partnerships. To establish who owns and controls a partnership, a copy of the partnership 

agreement must be submitted. To establish what the partnership owns and controls, other evidence 

may be necessary. 

(5) Proprietorships. In cases where the business is not a separate legal entity from the owner(s), 

the petitioner's statement of ownership and control must be accompanied by evidence, such as a 

license to do business, record of registration as an employer with the Internal Revenue Service, 

business tax returns, or other evidence which identifies the owner(s) of the businesses. 

Alien's employment. To document the alien's employment abroad and the alien's intended employment in 

the United States, a letter signed by an authorized official of the petitioner describing the prospective 

employee's employment abroad for at least the prior year and the intended employment in the United 

States, including the dates of employment, job titles, specific job duties, number and types of employees 

supervised, qualifications for the job, level of authority, salary, and dates of time spent in the United States 

during the previous year. In cases where the accuracy of the statement is in question, the director may 

require other evidence, such as wage and earning statements or an employment letter from an authorized 

official of the employing company abroad. 

Limits on temporary stay for L-1 nonimmigrant. 

The total period of a temporary stay in the United States for an L nonimmigrant is limited to five years, 

except where a sixth year is granted in extraordinary circumstances. Although an alien may be admitted 

initially for a period up to three years and given extensions in increments of two years, each period of stay 

requested and authorized may be less than the maximum period allowed. Therefore, the number of 

petitions and extensions granted during the five/six years are not relevant as long as the alien's total period 

of stay does not exceed the five/six-year limit. The five/six-year limit applies to the alien's total period of 

stay, regardless of the number of changes in employers or change in classification from the L to the H 

nonimmigrant category. The five/six-year limit applies to both current and future L visa holders. 

Extraordinary circumstances. An extension to the sixth year must be recommended by the director to the 

Administrative Appeals Unit (AAU). The director may deny the extension to the sixth year, but must certify 

an approval to the AAU. Approval of the sixth year is only granted in extraordinary circumstances which 

exist when it is found: 

(A) that termination of the alien's services will impose extreme hardship on the petitioner's business 

operation, such as significant layoffs of U.S. workers, cessation of the petitioner's business, or severe 

financial losses; or 

(B) the alien's services are in the national welfare, safety, or security interests of the United States, such 

as completion of work on an essential military contract, a research project which has national 

significance, or work which is essential to U.S. Government intelligence or security. 

Limit on readmission. An alien who seeks to remain in the United States continuously or to reenter in a 

work-authorized capacity a short time after spending a five/ six-year period of time in the United States is 

viewed by the Service as having a permanent intent to remain in the United States and thus, should be 

classified as an immigrant, rather than a nonimmigrant. By residing outside the United States for one year 

after spending five/ six years in the United States, the alien will have demonstrated that he or she has the 

temporary intent required for H-1 or L classification. 

Limitation. After a five/six-Year period of stay, the alien cannot reenter the United States in the H or L visa 

classifications unless he or she has resided and been physically present outside the United States for one 

year. Brief trips to the United States for business or pleasure will not be interruptive of the one-year 

requirement, but will not count towards fulfillment of that requirement. For aliens who reside continually in 

the United States for extended periods, the filing of a new petition after spending a short time abroad will not 

exempt the alien from the five/six-year limit. The new petition's approval period should be based on the 

five/six-year limit. For example, a Petition for an alien who spends three years in the U.S. and leaves for 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 107 
three months will receive an approval period of no more than two years, after which the alien must reside 

abroad for one year. 

Exception to the five/six-year limit. The regulations provide exceptions to the five/six-year limit on a 

temporary stay and the requirement for the alien to reside abroad for one year after a five/six-year 

authorized stay in the U.S. The limitations do not apply to aliens who do not employment in the United 

States is seasonal, intermittent, or an aggregate of six months or less per year. In addition, the limitations 

will not apply to aliens who reside abroad and regularly commute to the United States to engage in part-time 

employment. Examples of aliens who would qualify for an exception are entertainers, professional athletes, 

some university faculty, and businessmen who work part-time or intermittently in the United States. Th 

burden is on the petitioner and the alien to establish that the alien qualifies for an exception. 

Extension of stay procedure. 

The regulations eliminated the requirement to file a petition extension to extend the stay of an L beneficiary. 

They require only the filing of an application for extension of stay by the beneficiary, along with supporting 

documents. Approval of the alien's extension of stay will result in automatic extension of the petition for the 

same period. 

The Service does not provide appellate review of an alien's application for extension of stay. A decision to 

grant or deny the application is discretionary. Due process does not require the Service to provide appellate 

review of the discretionary denial of an application for a benefit conferred on a nonimmigrant. When novel 

or unusually complex issues are presented, the application should receive supervisory-level review. An 

alien who believes that his or her application has been arbitrarily or erroneously denied may file a motion to 

reopen or reconsider the case, request certification, or seek judicial relief. A denial of the extension of stay 

application requires no action on the petition; therefore, there is no decision on the petition to appeal. 

However, the petitioner is not precluded form filing a new petition in the alien's behalf. 

Procedures for admission of L-1 beneficiary. 

Upon approval of the petition and all necessary closing actions, the beneficiary shall be inspected. If the 

beneficiary is determined to be admissible, Form I-94 shall be completed and the departure portion of Form 

I-94 shall be provided to the beneficiary. The beneficiary shall be informed that Form I-94 and either Form I171C (or Form I-797) from the petitioner or a new petition will be required for readmission as L-1. 

Denial of Petition

Deficient or deniable petitions or certificates of eligibility.

Deficient or deniable petitions or certificates of eligibility. If a petition or certificate of eligibility submitted 

concurrently with an application for admission is lacking necessary supporting documentation or is 

otherwise deficient, the inspecting immigration officer shall return it to the applicant for admission in order to 

obtain the necessary documentation from the petitioner or for the deficiency to be overcome. The fee to file 

the petition will be remitted at such time as the documentary or other deficiency is overcome. If the petition 

or certificate of eligibility is clearly deniable, the immigration officer will accept the petition (with fee) and the 

petitioner shall be notified of the denial, the reasons for denial, and the right of appeal. If a formal denial 

order cannot be issued by the port of entry, the petition with a recommendation for denial shall be forwarded 

to the appropriate Service Center for final action. For the purposes of this provision, the appropriate Service 

Center will be the one within the same Service region as the location where the application for admission is 

made. 

In such cases, a prospective beneficiary shall not classifiable as L-1 for purposes of entry and shall be 

denied admission unless otherwise qualified under the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 108 
Spouses and Dependent Children 

Spouses and dependent children of intracompany transferees may accompany or follow to join the L-1

principal if they otherwise meet the general immigration requirements for temporary entry. L-2 is the

designated classification for both spouse and dependent children of intracompany transferees. There is no

requirement that the spouse and dependent children be citizens of Canada or Mexico.

The dependent spouse and minor children of an L-1 admitted under the terms and conditions of the FTA

shall be entitled to classification as L-2, if otherwise admissible. The qualifying spouse or dependent minor

children who are exempt from the visa requirements under 8 CFR 212.1 may be admitted with the principal

alien beneficiary upon approval of the petition.

L-2 dependents who are citizens of Canada are not required to obtain an L-2 visa but may do so if desired.

L-2 dependents who are citizens of Mexico or other countries generally are required to seek visa issuance.

L-2's may not work in the United States. L-2's may attend school while in the United States incidental to

their temporary stay.

The non-Canadian citizen spouse or children (who are not exempt from the visa requirement of 8 CFR

212.1) may not accompany the principal alien beneficiary. They shall await the issuance of the Notice of

Approval, Form I-171C (or Form I-797), with which they may apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a consular

office. After obtaining a nonimmigrant visa, they may follow to join the principal alien beneficiary. In

emergent cases, the designated consular office may be provided the pertinent information concerning the I129L approval by cable.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 109 
DOCUMENT NUMBER: FR28-99

FEDERAL REGISTER CITE: 64 FR 29208

DATE OF PUBLICATION: June 1, 1999

BILLING CODE 4410-10

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

8 CFR Parts 214 and 245

[INS No. 1881-97]

RIN 1115-AE96

Adjustment of Status; Continued Validity of Nonimmigrant Status, 

Unexpired Employment Authorization, and Travel Authorization for 

Certain Applicants Maintaining Nonimmigrant H or L Status 

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice. 

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments. 

SUMMARY: This rulemaking amends and clarifies Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations 

governing an H-1 and L-1 nonimmigrant's continued nonimmigrant status during the pendency of an application 

for adjustment of status. This action incorporates into the regulations existing Service policy statements 

regarding this issue. In addition, this rule eliminates the requirement for those adjustment applicants who 

maintain valid H-1 and L-1 nonimmigrant status, and their dependent family members, to obtain advance parole 

prior to traveling outside the United States. Finally, the Service is considering expanding the "dual intent" 

concept to cover long term nonimmigrants, in E, F, J, and M visa classifications, who are visiting this country as 

traders, investors, students, scholars, etc. 

DATES: Effective date: This interim regulation is effective July 1, 1999. 

Comment date: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 2, 1999. 

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments, in triplicate, to the Director, Policy Directives and Instructions 

Branch, Immigration and Naturalizations Service, 425 I Street, NW., Room 5307, Washington, DC 20536. To 

ensure proper handling, please reference INS No. 1881-97 on your correspondence. Comments are available 

for public inspection at the above address by calling (202) 514-3048 to arrange for an appointment. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frances A. Murphy, Adjudications Officer, Residence and Status 

Services Branch, Office of Adjudications, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW., Room 

3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 514-3978. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Why Is the Service Issuing This Regulation? 

This rule is being issued to codify previous Service policy statements regarding the eligibility of H-1 and 

L-1 nonimmigrants, and their dependent family members, to maintain and to extend their nonimmigrant status 

while their applications for permanent residence remain pending. This rule also addresses the issue of the 

eligibility of these aliens to travel outside the Untied States without abandoning their applications for status. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 110 
What Categories of Aliens May Maintain Nonimmigrant Status After Having Filed for Adjustment of Status? 

Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, (Act), most nonimmigrants who apply for 

adjustment of status to that of permanent residents of the United States are presumed to be intending 

immigrants and, therefore, are no longer eligible to maintain nonimmigrant status. Section 214(h) of the Act, 

however, permits aliens described in section 101(a)(15)(H)(i) and (L) of the Act, i.e., temporary workers in 

specialty occupations, intracompany managerial or executive transferees, and their dependent spouses and 

children, to maintain their nonimmigrant status during the pendency of their applications for adjustment of status. 

In addition, the Service is considering expanding the dual intent concept to cover other long term 

nonimmigrants who are visiting this country as traders (E-1), investors (E-2), students (F-1, J-1 or M-1), or 

scholars (J-1), etc. These nonimmigrants, who are typically authorized to stay in this country for considerable 

lengths of time, often need to make short overseas travels during their authorized stay. Under the "dual intent" 

doctrine, these nonimmigrants would be able to maintain valid nonimmigrant status and travel overseas without 

advance parole while applying for adjustment of status. 

The Service has, traditionally, considered applying for adjustment of status as relevant evidence in 

determining whether an alien has abandoned the requisite nonimmigrant intent. Section 214(b) of the Act does 

not, however, require the Service to hold this position as an absolute rule. So long as the alien clearly intends to 

comply with the requirements of his or her nonimmigrant status, the fact that the alien would like to become a 

permanent resident, if the law permits this, does not bar the alien's continued holding of a nonimmigrant status. 

The Service is interested in the public view on this matter and would appreciate written comments. 

How Does This Rule Affect Maintenance of H-1 and L-1 Nonimmigrant Status? 

Section 214(h) of the Act specifically provides that the fact that an H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant is the 

beneficiary of an application for a preference status filed under section 204 or has "otherwise sought permanent 

residence" in the United States shall not constitute evidence of an intent to abandon the foreign residence. The 

Service interprets section 214(h) to mean that, in addition to the approval of a labor certification or a preference 

visa petition, the mere filing of an application for status shall not be the basis for denying an H-1 or L-1 

nonimmigrant's properly completed application (or that of their dependent family members in H-4 or L-2 status) 

for extension of stay or change of status within the H-1 or L-1 (or, as applicable, a H-4 or L-2) classifications. A 

pending adjustment application, however, does not relieve nonimmigrant H-1 and L-1 aliens of the requirement 

to comply with the terms of their nonimmigrant classification, including restrictions on periods of stay, change of 

employer, and engaging in employment. For example, changing employers without first obtaining approval from 

the Service will cause the alien to lose his or her valid H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant status. 

What Are the Documentary Requirements for Travel Outside the United States for H-1 and L-1 With Pending 

Applications for Adjustment of Status? 

Current Service regulations at § 245.2(a)(4)(ii) require that all adjustment applicants obtain advance parole 

authorization prior to traveling outside the United States. Prior to enactment of the Illegal Immigration Reform 

and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 [IIRIRA], such persons were deemed to be applicants seeking 

admission and were subject to the grounds of excludability. The Service imposed the advance parole 

requirement and the concomitant exclusion process in order to maintain control over the re-entry of such aliens. 

With the phasing out of exclusion proceedings under IIRIRA, however, the Service believes it is now appropriate 

to amend its regulations to provide fuller effect to section 214(h) of the Act by exempting H-1 and L-1 

nonimmigrants with pending applications for adjustment of status (as well as their dependent family members) 

from obtaining advance parole authorization prior to traveling outside the United States. Generally, such H-1 

and L-1 nonimmigrants may be readmitted into the United States in the same status provided they are in 

possession of a valid H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant visa (for those aliens not visa exempt), and the original I-797 

receipt notice for the application for adjustment of status, and continue to remain eligible for H-1 or L-1 

classification. All other nonimmigrants with pending applications for status must obtain advance parole 

authorization in accordance with § 245.2(a)(4)(ii) prior to traveling outside the United States. 

Under What Section of the Regulations Would H-1 or L-1 Nonimmigrants be Granted Authorization for 

Continued Employment? 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 111 
H-1 and L-1 nonimmigrants filing applications for permanent residence have two options with respect to 

work authorization, but the choices have different consequences. Such aliens, of course, may continue to work 

in accordance with the terms of their nonimmigrant employment authorization, as provided in § 274a.12(b)(9) or 

(12). This means that, while their application for adjustment of status is still pending, their employment is limited 

to the employer for whom the current nonimmigrant visa petition was approved. 

In the alternative, when filing an application for permanent residence, an H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant may 

also file a form I-765 application for unrestricted employment authorization as provided in § 274a.12(c)(9). After 

receiving an Employment Authorization Document, the alien would be eligible to work for any employer, and this 

work authorization would continue as long as the alien's application for adjustment of status remains pending. 

However, such an alien should bear in mind that, by accepting employment with an employer other than the one 

which filed the approved H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant petition under § 274a.12(c)(9), the alien would no longer be in 

compliance with the requirements of the H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant status. 

If the alien's application for adjustment of status is ultimately approved, then it would not matter which 

option the alien had followed. However, if the application for adjustment is denied, then the alien's status would 

depend on which option was followed. If the alien had continued to work for an approved employer under the 

terms of his or her H-1 or L-1 status, and otherwise properly maintained such status, the alien would still retain 

his or her nonimmigrant status, if that status had not yet expired according to the established terms. However, 

an alien who had chosen to work for a different employer during the period that his or her application for 

adjustment of status was pending would have thereby lost his or her H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant status. Thus, if 

the alien's application for adjustment of status is denied, the alien would no longer be in a lawful status and 

would be subject to removal proceedings. In addition, a dependent family member who had chosen to engage in 

unrestricted employment while the application for adjustment of status was pending would lose his or her H-4 or 

L-2 nonimmigrant dependent status. Therefore, if the principal's application for adjustment of status is denied, 

such dependent family members would also not be in a lawful status and could not revert back to H-4 or L-2 

dependent status. 

Filing of I-765 for H's and L's Seeking Employment Authorization Under § 274a.12(c)(9) 

H-1 and L-1 nonimmigrants filing adjustment applications who intend to seek open-market employment 

authorization under § 274a.12(c)(9) should file Form I-765 concurrently with the I-485 to avoid a lapse of 

employment authorization. After filing the Form I-765, the H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant must wait until he or she 

receives the employment authorization document before the alien may enter into open-market employment. The 

INS Service Centers will continue to entertain requests for expeditious handling of Form I-765 employment 

authorization requests in accordance with prevailing criteria. Expeditious handling of a request for employment 

authorization under § 274a.12(c)(9), however, may be insufficient to ensure that a lapse in employment 

authorization does not occur when the application for status is filed near the expiration of H-1 or L-1 

nonimmigrant status. 

What Are the Effects of Denial of I-485 on Employment Authorization and Nonimmigrant Status? 

An alien whose adjustment of status application is denied but who has continuously maintained his or 

her H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant status while the adjustment application was pending, may continue to work in 

accordance with the terms of the nonimmigrant visa. If the adjustment of status application is denied, any 

employment authorization granted to the alien under § 274a.12(c)(9) will be subject to termination pursuant to § 

274a.14(b). Further, if the alien is not maintaining his or her H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant status, he or she will be 

subject to removal proceedings. 

How Does the Approval of an Application for Adjustment of Status During the Alien's Absence From the United 

States Affect His or Her Readmission? 

In accordance with 8 CFR 211.1, a Form I-797 approval notice for an adjustment of status application is 

insufficient to establish an arriving alien's entitlement to lawful permanent residence. An H-1 or L-1 

nonimmigrant (or a dependent family member) whose application for adjustment of status was approved during 

the alien's absence from the United States will be granted deferred inspection in accordance with § 235.2(b) 

upon presentation of a valid I-797 notice of approval of the application for status. Such deferred action shall be 

for the purpose of providing conclusive evidence that the alien's status has in fact been adjusted to that of a 

lawful permanent resident. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 112 
Good Cause Exception 

The Service's implementation of this rule as an interim rule, with provisions for post-promulgation public 

comments, is based on the "good cause" exceptions found at 5 U.S.C. 533(b)(3)(B), and (d)(3). The immediate 

implementation of this interim rule without prior notice and comment is necessary to: (1) Clarify existing Service 

policy with respect to adjustment applicants who need to travel abroad while their application is pending, (2) 

provide a benefit to U.S. employers by facilitating the continued employment of nonimmigrant H-1 and L-1 

workers who have filed for adjustment of status, and (3) allow such workers more flexibility to travel. The Service 

will consider fully all comments submitted during the comment period. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, in accordance with the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this regulation and, by approving it, certifies that this rule will not 

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because it affects individuals by 

allowing them to continue to be employed and to travel while seeking adjustment of status. Any effect on small 

entities that employ such nonimmigrants will be beneficial. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by 

the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 1 year, and will not significantly or uniquely affect small 

governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act of 1995. 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 

This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major 

increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 

innovation, or on the ability of the United States-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies in 

domestic and export markets. 

Executive Order 12866 

This rule is not considered by the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, to be a 

"significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), Regulatory Planning and Review, and 

the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review process under section 6(a)(3)(A). 

Executive Order 12612 

The regulation adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the realtionship 

between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 

various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 

Executive Order 12988 Civil Justice Reform 

This interim rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988. 

List of Subjects 

8 CFR Part 214 

Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Employment, Foreign officials, Health professions, 

Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Students. 

8 CFR Part 245 

Aliens, Immigration, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 113 
Accordingly, chapter I of title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: 

PART 214--NONIMMIGRANT CLASSES 

1. The authority citation for part 214 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1186a, 1187, 1221, 1281, 1282; 8 CFR part 2 

2. Section 214.2 is amended by revising paragraphs (h)(16)(i) and (l)(16) to read as follows: 

§ 214.2 Special requirements for admission, extension, and maintenance of status. 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(16) * * * (i) H-1 classification. An alien may legitimately come to the United States for a temporary 

period as an H-1 nonimmigrant and, at the same time, lawfully seek to become a permanent resident of the 

United States provided he or she intends to depart voluntarily at the end of his or her authorized stay. The filing 

of an application for or approval of a permanent labor certification, an immigrant visa preference petition, or the 

filing of an application for adjustment of status for an H-1 nonimmigrant shall not be a basis for denying: 

(A) An H-1 petition, 

(B) A request to extend an H-1 petition, 

(C) The H-1 alien's application (and that of their dependent family members) for change of status to a 

different H-1 or L classification, or a dependent of an H-1 of L nonimmigrant, or 

(E) The H-1 alien's application for extension of stay, (and that of their dependent family members). 

* * * * * 

(l) * * * 

(16) Effect of filing an application for or approval of a permanent labor certification, preference petition, 

or filing of an application for adjustment of status on L-1 classification. An alien may legitimately come to the 

United States for a temporary period as an L-1 nonimmigrant and, at the same time, lawfully seek to become a 

permanent resident of the United States provided he or she intends to depart voluntarily at the end of his or her 

authorized stay. The filing of an application for or approval of a permanent labor certification, an immigrant visa 

preference petition, or the filing of an application of readjustment of status for an L-1 nonimmigrant shall not be 

the basis for denying: 

(i) An L-1 petition filed on behalf of the alien, 

(ii) A request to extend an L-1 petition which had previously been filed on behalf of the alien; 

(iii) An application for admission as an L-1 nonimmigrant by the alien, or as an L-2 nonimmigrant by the 

spouse or child of such alien; 

(iv) An application for change of status to H-1 or L-2 nonimmigrant filed by the alien, or to H-1, H-4, or L1 status filed by the L-2 spouse or child of such alien; 

(v) An application for change of status to H-4 nonimmigrant filed by the L-1 nonimmigrant, if his or her 

spouse has been approved for classification as an H-1; or 

(vi) An application for extension of stay filed by the alien, or by the L-2 spouse or child of such alien. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 114 
* * * * * 

PART 245--ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS TO THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE 

3. The authority citation for part 245 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1182, 1255, § 202, Pub. L. 105-100 (111 Stat. 2160, 2193); 

and 8 CFR part 2. 

4. In § 245.2, paragraph (a)(4)(ii) is revised to read as follows: 

§ 245.2 Application. 

(a) * * * 

(4) * * * 

(ii) Under section 245 of the Act. (A) The departure from the United States of an applicant who is under 

exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings shall be deemed an abandonment of the application constituting 

grounds for termination of the proceeding by reason of the departure. Except as provided in paragraph 

(a)(4)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section, the departure of an applicant who is not under exclusion, deportation, or 

removal proceedings shall be deemed an abandonment of the application constituting grounds for termination of 

any pending application for adjustment of status, unless the applicant was previously granted advance parole by 

the Service for such absences, and was inspected upon returning to the United States. If the adjustment 

application of an individual granted advance parole is subsequently denied the individual will be treated as an 

applicant for admission, and subject to the provisions of section 212 and 235 of the Act. 

(B) The travel outside of the United States by an applicant for adjustment who is not under exclusion, 

deportation, or removal proceedings shall not be deemed an abandonment of the application if he or she was 

previously granted advance parole by the Service for such absences, and was inspected and paroled upon 

returning to the United States. If the adjustment of status application of such individual is subsequently denied, 

he or she will be treated as an applicant for admission, and subject to the provisions of section 212 and 235 of 

the Act. 

(C) The travel outside of the United States by an applicant for adjustment of status who is not under 

exclusion, deportation, or removal proceeding and who is in lawful H-1 or L-1 status shall not be deemed an 

abandonment of the application if, upon returning to this country, the alien remains eligible for H or L status, is 

coming to resume employment with the same employer for whom he or she had previously been authorized to 

work as an H-1 or L-1 nonimmigrant, and, is in possession of a valid H or L visa (if required) and the original I797 receipt notice for the application for adjustment of status. The travel outside of the United States by an 

applicant for adjustment of status who is not under exclusion, deportation, or removal proceeding and who is in 

lawful H-4 or L-2 status shall not be deemed an abandonment of the application if the spouse or parent of such 

alien through whom the H-4 or L-2 status was obtained is maintaining H-1 or L-1 status and the alien remains 

otherwise eligible for H-4 or L-2 status, and, the alien is in possession of a valid H-4 or L-2 visa (if required) and 

the original copy of the I-797 receipt notice for the application for adjustment of status. 

* * * * * 

May 12, 1999 Signed 

__________________ _____________________ 

Dated: Doris Meissner, 

Commissioner, Immigration and 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 115 
Interpretation of Special Knowledge

Memorandum from HQ Office of Operations: March 9, 1994

The Immigration Act of 1990 contains a definition of the term "specialized knowledge" which is different 

in many respects that the prior regulatory definition. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide field offices 

with guidance on the proper interpretation of the new statutory definition. 

The prior regulatory definition required that the beneficiary possess an advanced level of expertise and 

proprietary knowledge not available in the United States labor market. The current definition of specialized 

knowledge contains two separate criteria and obviously involves a lesser, but still high, standard. The statute 

states that the alien has specialized knowledge if he/she has special knowledge of the company product and its 

application in international markets or has an advanced level of knowledge of the processes and procedures of 

the company. 

Since the statutory definitions and legislative history do not provide any further guidelines or insight as 

to the interpretation of the terms "advanced" or "special", officers should utilize the common dictionary 

definitions of the two terms as provided below. 

Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary defines the term "special" as "surpassing the usual; 

distinct among others of a kind." Also, Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines the term "special" as 

"distinguished by some unusual quality; uncommon; noteworthy." 

Based on the above definition, an alien would possess specialized knowledge if it was shown that the 

knowledge is different from that generally found in the particular industry. The knowledge need not be 

proprietary or unique, but it must be different or uncommon. 

Further, Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary defines the term "advanced" as " highly 

developed or complex; at a higher level than others." Also, Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines 

the term "advanced" as "beyond the elementary or introductory; greatly developed beyond the initial stage." 

Again, based on the above definition, the alien's knowledge need not be proprietary or unique, merely 

advanced. Further, the statute does not require that the advanced knowledge be narrowly held throughout the 

company, only that the knowledge be advanced. 

The determination of whether an alien possesses specialized knowledge does not involve a test of the 

United States labor market. Whether or not here are United States workers available to perform the duties in the 

United States is not a relevant factor since the test for specialized knowledge involves only an examination of 

the knowledge possessed by the alien, not whether there are similarly employed United States workers. 

However, officers adjudicating the petitions involving specialized knowledge must ensure that the knowledge 

possessed by the beneficiary is not general knowledge held commonly throughout the industry but that it is truly 

specialized. There is no requirement in current legislation that the alien's knowledge be unique, proprietary, or 

not commonly found in the United States labor market. 

The following are some of the possible characteristics of an alien who possesses specialized 

knowledge. They are not all inclusive. The alien: 

• Possesses knowledge that is valuable to the employer's competitiveness in the market place; 

• Is qualified to contribute to the United States employer's knowledge of foreign operating conditions as a 

result of special knowledge not generally found in the industry; 

• Has been utilized abroad in a capacity involving significant assignments which have enhanced the 

employer's productivity, competitiveness, image, or financial position; 

• Possesses knowledge which, normally, can be gained only through prior experience with that employer; 

• Possesses knowledge of a product or process which cannot be easily transferred or taught to another 

individual. 

The following are provided as general examples of situations where an alien possesses specialized 

knowledge. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 116 
• The foreign company manufactures a product which no other firm manufactures. The alien is 

familiar with the various procedures involved in the manufacture, use, or service of the product. 

• The foreign company manufactures a product which is significantly different from other products in 

the industry. Although there may be similarities between products, the knowledge required to sell, 

manufacture, or service the product is different from the other products to the extent that the United 

States or foreign firm would experience a significant interruption of business in order to train a new 

worker to assume those duties. 

• The alien beneficiary has knowledge of a foreign firm's business procedures or methods of 

operation to the extent that the United States firm would experience a significant interruption of 

business in order to train a United States worker to assume those duties. 

A specific example of a situation involving specialized knowledge would be if a foreign firm in the 

business of purchasing used automobiles for the purpose of repairing and reselling them, some for export to the 

United States, petitions for an alien to come to the United States as a staff officer. The beneficiary has 

knowledge of the firm's operational procedures, e.g., knowledge of the expenses the firm would entail in order to 

repair the car as well in selling the car. The beneficiary has knowledge of the firm's cons structure for various 

activities which serves as a basis for determining the proper price to be paid for the vehicle. The beneficiary also 

has knowledge of various United States customs laws and EPA regulations in order to determine what 

modifications must be made to import the vehicles into the United States. In this case it can be concluded that 

the alien has advanced knowledge of the firm's procedures because a substantial amount of time would be 

required for the foreign or United States employer to teach another employee the firm's procedures. Although it 

can be argued that a good portion of what the beneficiary knows is general knowledge, i. E. customs and EPA 

regulations, the combination of the procedures which the beneficiary has knowledge of renders him essential to 

the firm. Specifically the firm would have a difficult time training another employee to assume these duties 

because of the inter-relationship of the beneficiary's general knowledge with the firm's method of doing 

business. The beneficiary therefore possesses specialized knowledge. 

• An alien beneficiary has knowledge of a process or a product which is of a sophisticated nature, 

although not unique to the foreign firm, which is not generally known in the United States. 

A specific example of the above is a firm involved in processing certain shellfish desires to petition for a 

beneficiary to work in the United States in order to catch and process the shellfish. The beneficiary learned the 

process from his employment from an unrelated firm but has been utilizing that knowledge for the foreign firm for 

the past year. However, the knowledge required to process the shellfish is unknown in the United States. In this 

instance the beneficiary possesses specialized knowledge since his knowledge of processing shellfish must be 

considered advanced. 

The common theme which runs through these examples is that the knowledge which the beneficiary 

possesses, whether it is knowledge of a process or a product, would be difficult to impart to another individual 

without significant economic inconvenience to the united States or foreign firm. The knowledge is not generally 

known and is of some complexity. 

The above examples and scenarios are presented as general guidelines for officers involved in the 

adjudication of petitions involving specialized knowledge. The examples are not all inclusive and there are many 

other examples of aliens who possess specialized knowledge which are not covered in this memorandum. 

From a practical point of view, the mere fact that a petitioner alleges that an alien's knowledge is 

somehow different does not, in and of itself, establish hat the alien possesses specialized knowledge. The 

petitioner bears the burden of establishing through the submission of probative evidence that the alien's 

knowledge is uncommon, noteworthy, or distinguished by some unusual quality and not generally known by 

practitioners in the alien's field of endeavor. Likewise, a petitioner's assertion that the alien possesses an 

advanced level of knowledge of the processes and procedures of the company must be supported by evidence 

describing and setting apart that knowledge from the elementary or basic knowledge possessed by others. It is 

the weight and type of evidence which establishes whether or not he beneficiary possesses specialized 

knowledge. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 117 
In closing, this memorandum is designed solely as a guide. It must be noted that specialized knowledge can 

apply to any industry, including service and manufacturing firms, and can involve any type of position. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 118
SUMMARY OF PROCESSING INSTRUCTIONS 

DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED BY CANADIAN CITIZENS APPLYING AT A PORT OF ENTRY: A United States 

or foreign employer seeking to classify a citizen of Canada as an intracompany transferee, may file an individual 

petition in duplicate on Form I-129 in conjunction with an application for admission of the citizen of Canada. 

Such filing may be made with an immigration officer at a Class A port of entry located on the United States -

Canada land border or at a United States pre-clearance/pre-flight station in Canada. 

1. Proof of Canadian Citizenship 

Passport 

Birth Certificate 

Certificate of: Naturalization, Derivation, Birth Abroad, etc. 

May be oral declaration 

2. I-129 Petition in duplicate with original authorized signature of the petitioner. 

3. Evidence that the petitioner and the organization that employed or will employ the beneficiary are 

qualifying organizations as defined in 8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(G). 

4. Evidence that the beneficiary will be employed in an executive, managerial or specialized knowledge 

capacity, including a detailed description of the services to be performed. 

5. Evidence that the beneficiary has at least one continuous year of full-time employment abroad with a 

qualifying organization within the three years preceding the filing of the petition. 

6. Evidence that the beneficiary's prior year of employment abroad was in a position that was managerial, 

executive or involved specialized knowledge and that the beneficiary's prior education, training and 

employment qualifies him/her to perform the intended services in the United States; however, the work 

in the United States need not be the same work that the alien performed abroad. 

FEE COLLECTION: $110.00 U. S. FUNDS = Cash, U. S. Bank check, or International Money Order in U.S. 

dollars 

ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS IN PROCESSING L-1 APPLICANTS: 

1. Conduct all system checks: CIS, NAILS, NCIC, CPIC 

2. Issue fee receipt (G-211). Place fee stamp in appropriate location on form I-129 and annotate with fee 

receipt number. 

3. Place adjudication stamp in appropriate box on I-129 and sign. Annotate with Port of Entry designation. 

4. Route I-129 to appropriate Service Center for issuance of I-797, Notice of Approval. 

APPLICANT PROCESSING: 

1. Admit for time requested on the I-129 petition NOT TO EXCEED THREE YEARS FOR INTITAL 

ENTRY. NOT TO EXCEED ONE YEAR FOR NEW OFFICE. **See notes for New Office. ** 

2. I-94 Arrival copy: Annotate admission stamp as follows 

a. L-1 (Managerial or Executive) - Note L-1A on I-129 petition 

b. L-1 (Specialized Knowledge) - Note L-1B on I-129 petition 

c. Length of stay (see # 1) 

d. On reverse note occupation as Managerial, Executive or Specialized Knowledge 

e. Name and address of employer 

3. I-94 Departure Copy: note class of admission and period of admission, stamp Multiple Entry 

On reverse annotate: 

a. Occupation 

b. Employer 

c. A file number if applicable 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 119 
L-1 INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES DESTINED TO NEW OFFICES 

Reference: 8 CFR 214.2(l)(3)(v)

If the I-129 petition indicates that the beneficiary is coming to the United States as a manager or executive to

open or to be employed in a new office in the United States, the petitioner shall submit evidence that:

1. The company has secured sufficient physical premises to house the new office. 

2. The beneficiary has been employed for one continuous year in the three year period preceding the 

filing of the petition in an executive or managerial capacity and that the proposed employment involves 

executive or managerial authority over the new operation; and 

3. The intended United States operation, within one year of approval of the petition, will support an 

executive or managerial position as defined in paragraphs 8 CFR 212.2(l)(1)(ii)(B) or (C), 

Supporting information: 

a. The proposed nature of the office, describing the scope of the entity, its organizational 

structure, and its financial goals; 

b. The size of the United States investment and the financial ability of the foreign entity to 

remunerate the beneficiary and to commence doing business in the United States; and 

c. The organizational structure of the foreign entity. 

4. If the petition indicates that the beneficiary is coming to the United States in a specialized capacity 

to open or to be employed in a new office, the petitioner shall submit evidence that: 

a. Sufficient physical premises to house the new office have been secured; 

b. The business entity in the United States is or will be a qualifying organization as defined in 

paragraph 8 CFR 212.2(l)(1)(ii)(G); and 

c. The petitioner has the financial ability to remunerate the beneficiary and to commence 

doing business in the United States. 

d. If the beneficiary is an owner or major stockholder of the company, the petition must be 

accompanied by evidence that the beneficiary's services are to be used for a temporary period and 

evidence that the beneficiary will be transferred to an assignment abroad upon the completion of the 

temporary services in the United States. 

e. Other evidence deemed necessary may be requested. 

NOTE: I-129 petitions for new offices are allowed only ONE YEAR on INITIAL ENTRY APPROVAL. For 

extension of a new office approval beyond one year, the petitioner must file a new Form I-129 

accompanied by the following: 

1. Evidence that the United States and foreign entities are still qualifying organizations as 

defined in 8 CFR 214.2(L)(1)(ii)(G); 

2. Evidence that the United States entity has been doing business as defined in 8 CFR 

214.2(l)(1)(ii)(H) for the previous year; 

3. A statement of the duties performed by the beneficiary for the previous year and the duties 

the beneficiary will perform under the extended petition; 

4. A statement detailing the staffing of the new operation, including the number of employees 

and types of positions held accompanied by evidence of wages paid to employees when the beneficiary 

will be employed in a managerial or executive capacity; and 

5. Evidence of the financial status of the United States operation. 

If a company is purchased in the United States or Canada, and has been in existence for over ONE 

YEAR, it is not considered a new office. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 120 
L-1 APPLICATION PROCEDURES WITH APPROVED BLANKET PETITION: A citizen of Canada, who is the 

beneficiary of a blanket petition may present the I-797 and I-129S to an immigration officer at a port of entry. 

See 8 CFR 214.2(l)(4) for detailed information regarding Blanket petitions. 

1. Proof of Canadian Citizenship 

Passport 

Birth Certificate 

Naturalization Certificate, Derivation, Birth Abroad, etc. 

May be oral declaration 

2. Original and two copies of the I-129S 

3. Three copies of I-797, Notice of Approval 

FEE COLLECTION: NONE 

APPLICANT PROCESSING 

1. Conduct all system checks: CIS, NAILS, NCIC and CPIC. 

2. Verify that the company, branch, affiliate where the employee is going is listed on the I-797. 

3. Confirm the qualifications of the employee for the position. Remember that the I-129 has been adjudicated 

and you are merely adjudicating the employees status. Form I-129S identifies the position and organization 

from which the employee is transferring, the new organization and position to which the employee is 

destined, a description of the employee's actual duties for both the new and former positions and the 

positions, dates and locations of previous L stays in the United States. 

NOTE: 8 CFR 214.2(l)(4)(I)(D) refers to "specialized knowledge professionals". In order to qualify the applicant 

and the position should meet the definition of professional set forth in INA 101(a)(32). Evidence would include 

records of educational training, degrees, and other pertinent evidence that demonstrates that the prospective 

employee is a specialized knowledge professional. 

4. Admit for time requested on I-129 petition not to exceed three years for initial entry (or one year if new office) 

5. Place the admission stamp in the block where the fee stamp normally goes and annotate classification and 

period of admission. 

6. Place the adjudication stamp in the action block and sign. 

7. I-94 arrival copy: admission stamp with following: 

a. L-1 managerial or executive 

b. L-1 specialized knowledge 

c. length of stay 

d. on reverse note occupation as managerial, executive or specialized knowledge 

e. name and address of employer 

f. A file number if applicable 

8. I-94 departure copy admission stamp, L-1, period of admission, stamp multiple entry. 

On reverse note: 

a. Occupation 

b. Employer 

c. A file number if applicable 

9. After the immigration inspector has adjudicated the I-129S, one copy of the I-129S and the I-797 should 

be retained by the applicant for future use to reenter the United States. 

10. Forward one copy of the I-129 to the appropriate Service Center. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 121 
SECTION FIVE

Canadian TN Nonimmigrant pursuant

To NAFTA

8 CFR 214.6 - TN Professionals

Requirements for admission

Extension of Stay

Change of/or additional employer

Spouse and children

Denial of "TN" application for admission

TN Processing Summary

TN Information Handout

123 

134 

138 

138 

139 

139 

140 

141 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 122 
8 CFR Sec. 214.6 Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to engage in business 

activities at a professional level. (Sec. 214.6 revised 1/1/94; 58 FR 69212) 

(a) General. Under Section 214(e) of the Act, a citizen of Canada or Mexico who seeks temporary entry as a 

business person to engage in business activities at a professional level may be admitted to the United States in 

accordance with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, the terms: 

Business activities at a professional level means those undertakings which require that, for successful 

completion, the individual has a least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status as 

a professional in a profession set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 of the NAFTA. 

Business person, as defined in the NAFTA, means a citizen of Canada or Mexico who is engaged in the trade of 

goods, the provision of services, or the conduct of investment activities. 

Engage in business activities at a professional level means the performance of prearranged business activities 

for a United States entity, including an individual. It does not authorize the establishment of a business or 

practice in the United States in which the professional will be, in substance, self-employed. A professional will 

be deemed to be self-employed if he or she will be rendering services to a corporation or entity of which the 

professional is the sole or controlling shareholder or owner. 

Temporary entry, as defined in the NAFTA, means entry without the intent to establish permanent residence. 

The alien must satisfy the inspecting immigration officer that the proposed stay is temporary. A temporary period 

has a reasonable, finite end that does not equate to permanent residence. In order to establish that the alien's 

entry will be temporary, the alien must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the inspecting immigration officer that 

his or her work assignment in the United States will end at a predictable time and that he or she will depart upon 

completion of the assignment. (Paragraph (b) revised 1/9/98; 63 FR 1331) 

(c) Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Pursuant to the NAFTA, an applicant seeking admission 

under this section shall demonstrate business activity at a professional level in one of the professions set forth in 

Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603. The professions in Appendix 1603.D.1 and the minimum requirements for 

qualification for each are as follows: 1/ 

Appendix 1603.D.1 (Annotated) 

--Accountant--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A. 

--Architect--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

state/provincial license. 2/ 

--Computer Systems Analyst--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura 

Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma 3/ or Post Secondary 

Certificate 4/and three years' experience. 

--Disaster relief insurance claims adjuster (claims adjuster 

employed by an insurance company located in the territory of 

a Party, or an independent claims adjuster)--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree and successful completion of training in 

the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to 

disaster relief claims; or three years experience in claims 

adjustment and successful completion of training in the 

appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to 

disaster relief claims. 

--Economist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Engineer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

state/provincial license 

--Forester--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

state/provincial license 

--Graphic Designer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 123 
 Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate and three 

years experience. 

--Hotel Manager--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in 

hotel/restaurant management; or Post-Secondary Diploma or 

Post-Secondary Certificate in hotel/restaurant management and 

three years experience in hotel/restaurant management. 

--Industrial Designer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and 

three years experience. 

--Interior Designer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or PostSecondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three 

years experience. 

--Land Surveyor--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or 

state/provincial/federal license. 

--Landscape Architect--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Lawyer (including Notary in the province of Quebec)--L.L.B., 

J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura degree (five years); or 

membership in a state/provincial bar. 

--Librarian--M.L.S., or B.L.S. (for which another Baccalaureate 

or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite). 

--Management Consultant--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; 

or equivalent professional experience as established by 

statement or professional credential attesting to five years 

experience as a management consultant, or five years 

experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting 

agreement. 

--Mathematician (including Statistician)--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree. 

--Range Manager/Range Conservationist--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree. 

--Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational 

institution)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Scientific Technician/Technologist 5/--Possession of (a) 

theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: 

agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, 

engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or 

physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in 

any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply 

principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied 

research. 

--Social Worker--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree. 

--Technical Publications Writer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura 

Degree, or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary 

Certificate, and three years experience. 

--Urban Planner (including Geographer)--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree. 

--Vocational Counselor--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--MEDICAL/ALLIED PROFESSIONALS 

--Dentist--D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en 

Cirugia Dental or state/provincial license. 

--Dietitian--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

state/provincial license. 

--Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/Medical 

Technologist (Mexico and the United States) 6/--

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary 

Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years 

experience. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 124 
 --Nutritionist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Occupational Therapist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura 

Degree; or state/provincial license. 

--Pharmacist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or 

state/provincial license. 

--Physician (teaching or research only)--M.D. Doctor en 

Medicina; or state/provincial license. 

--Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license. 

--Psychologist--state/provincial license; or Licenciatura 

Degree. 

--Recreational Therapist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura 

Degree. 

--Registered nurse--state/provincial license or Licenciatura 

Degree. 

--Veterinarian--D.V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; or 

state/provincial license. 

--SCIENTIST 

--Agriculturist (including Agronomist)--Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura Degree. 

--Animal Breeder--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Animal Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Apiculturist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Astronomer--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Biochemist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Biologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Chemist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Dairy Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Entomologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Epidemiologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Geneticist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Geochemist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Geologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and 

the United States)--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Horticulturist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Meteorologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Pharmacologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada)--

Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Plant Breeder--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Poultry Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Soil Scientist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Zoologist--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--TEACHER 

--College--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--Seminary--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

--University--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. 

(d) Classification of citizens of Mexico as TN professionals under the NAFTA. 

(1) General. A United States employer seeking to classify a citizen of Mexico as a TN professional temporary 

employee shall file a petition on Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the Northern Service 

Center, even in emergent circumstances. The petitioner may submit a legible photocopy of a document in 

support of the visa petition in lieu of the original document. The original document shall be submitted if 

requested by the Service. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 125 
(2) Supporting documents. A petition in behalf of a citizen of Mexico seeking classification as a TN professional 

shall be accompanied by: 

(i) A certification from the Secretary of Labor that the petitioner has filed the appropriate documentation with the 

Secretary in accordance with section (D)(5)(b) of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. 

(ii) Evidence that the beneficiary meets the minimum education requirements or alternative credentials 

requirements of Appendix 1603.D.1 of Annex 1603 of the NAFTA as set forth in Sec. 214.6(c). This 

documentation may consist of licenses, degrees, diplomas, certificates, or evidence of membership in 

professional organizations. Degrees, diplomas, or certificates received by the beneficiary from an educational 

institution not located within Mexico, Canada, or the United States must be accompanied by an evaluation by a 

reliable credentials evaluation service which specializes in evaluating foreign educational credentials. Evidence 

of experience should consist of letters from former employers or, if formerly self-employed, business records 

attesting to such self-employment; and 

(iii) A statement from the prospective employer in the United States specifically stating the Appendix 1603.D.1 

profession in which the beneficiary will be engaging and a full description of the nature of the duties which the 

beneficiary will be performing. The statement must set forth licensure requirements for the state or locality of 

intended employment or, if no license is required, the non-existence of such requirements for the professional 

activity to be engaged in. 

(iv) Licensure for TN classification. 

(A) General. If the profession requires a state or local license for an individual to fully perform the duties of that 

profession, the beneficiary for whom TN classification is sought must have that license prior to approval of the 

petition and evidence of such licensing must accompany the petition. 

(B) Temporary licensure. If a temporary license is available and the beneficiary would be allowed to perform the 

duties of the profession without a permanent license, the director shall examine the nature of the duties, the 

level at which the duties are performed, the degree of supervision received, and any limitations which would be 

placed upon the beneficiary. If an analysis of the facts demonstrates that the beneficiary, although under 

supervision, would be fully authorized to perform the duties of the profession, TN classification may be granted. 

(C) Duties without licensure. In certain professions which generally require licensure, a state may allow an 

individual to fully practice a profession under the supervision of licensed senior or supervisory personnel in that 

profession. In such cases, the director shall examine the nature of the duties and the level at which they are to 

be performed. If the facts demonstrate that the beneficiary, although under supervision, would fully perform the 

duties of the profession, TN classification may be granted. 

(D) Registered nurses. The prospective employer must submit evidence that the beneficiary has been granted a 

permanent state license, a temporary state license or other temporary authorization issued by a State Board of 

Nursing authorizing the beneficiary to work as a registered or graduate nurse in the state of intended 

employment in the United States. 

(3) Approval and validity of petition. 

(i) Approval. The director shall notify the petitioner of the approval of the petition on Form I-797, Notice of Action. 

The approval notice shall include the beneficiary's name, classification, Appendix 1603.D.1 profession, and the 

petition's period of validity. 

(ii) Recording the validity of petitions. Procedures for recording the validity period of petitions are: 

(A) If the petition is approved before the date the petitioner indicates that employment will begin, the approved 

petition and approval notice shall show the actual dates requested by the petitioner as the validity period, not to 

exceed the limits specified by paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of this section. 

(B) If the petition is approved after the date the petitioner indicates employment will begin, the approved petition 

and approval notice shall show a validity period commencing with the date of approval and ending with the date 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 126 
requested by the petitioner, as long as that date does not exceed the limits specified by paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of 

this section. 

(C) If the period of employment requested by the petitioner exceeds the limit specified in paragraph (d)(3)(iii) of 

this section, the petition shall be approved only up to the limit specified in that paragraph. 

(iii) Validity. An approved petition classifying a citizen of Mexico as a TN nonimmigrant shall be valid for a 

period of up to one year. 

(4) Denial of petition. 

(i) Notice of intent to deny. When an adverse decision is proposed on the basis of derogatory information of 

which the petitioner is unaware, the director shall notify the petitioner of the intent to deny the petition and the 

basis for the denial. The petitioner may inspect and rebut the evidence and will be granted a period of thirty days 

in which to do so. All relevant rebuttal material will be considered in making a final decision. 

(ii) Notice of denial. The petitioner shall be notified of the decision, the reasons for the denial, and the right to 

appeal the denial under Part 103 of this chapter. 

(5) Revocation of approval of petition. 

(i) General. 

(A) The petitioner shall immediately notify the Service of any changes in the terms and conditions of 

employment of a beneficiary which may effect eligibility under Section 214(e) of the Act or Sec. 214.6. An 

amended petition should be filed when the petitioner continues to employ the beneficiary. If the petitioner no 

longer employs the beneficiary, the petitioner shall send a letter explaining the change(s) to the director who 

approved the petition. 

(B) The director may revoke a petition at any time, even after the validity of the petition has expired. 

(ii) Automatic revocation. The approval of an unexpired petition is automatically revoked if the petitioner goes 

out of business, files a written withdrawal of the petition, or notifies the Service that the beneficiary is no longer 

employed by the petitioner. 

(iii) Revocation on notice. 

(A) Grounds for revocation. The director shall send to the petitioner a notice of intent to revoke the petition in 

relevant part if he or she finds that: 

((1)) The beneficiary is no longer employed by the petitioner in the capacity specified in the petition; 

((2)) The statement of facts contained in the petition were not true and correct; 

((3)) The petitioner violated the terms or conditions of the approved petition; 

((4)) The petitioner violated requirements of Section 214(e) of the Act or Sec. 214.6; or 

((5)) The approval of the petition violated Sec. 214.6 or involved gross error. 

(B) Notice and decision. The notice of intent to revoke shall contain a detailed statement of the grounds for the 

revocation and the time period allowed for the petitioner's rebuttal. The petitioner may submit evidence in 

rebuttal within thirty days of the date of the notice. The director shall consider all relevant evidence presented in 

deciding whether to revoke the petition. 

(6) Appeal of a denial or revocation of a petition. 

(i) Denial. A denied petition may be appealed under Part 103 of this chapter. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 127 
(ii) Revocation. A petition that has been revoked on notice may be appealed under Part 103 of this chapter. 

Automatic revocations may not be appealed. 

(7) Numerical limit. 

(i) Limit on number of petitions to be approved in behalf of citizens of Mexico. Beginning on the date of entry into 

force of the NAFTA, not more than 5,500 citizens of Mexico can be classified as TN nonimmigrants annually. 

(ii) Procedures. 

(A) Each citizen of Mexico issued a visa or otherwise provided TN nonimmigrant status under Section 214(e) of 

the Act shall be counted for purposes of the numerical limit. Requests for petition extension or extension of the 

alien's stay and submissions of amended petitions shall not be counted for purposes of the numerical limit. The 

spouse and children of principal aliens classified as TD nonimmigrants shall not be counted against the 

numerical limit. 

(B) Numbers will be assigned temporarily to each Mexican citizen in whose behalf a petition for TN classification 

has been filed. If a petition is denied, the number originally assigned to the petition shall be returned to the 

system which maintains and assigns numbers. 

(C) When an approved petition is not used because the beneficiary does not apply for admission to the United 

States, the petitioner shall notify the service center director who approved the petition that the number has not 

been used. The petition shall be revoked pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(ii) of this section and the unused number 

shall be returned to the system which maintains and assigns numbers. 

(D) If the total annual limit has been reached prior to the end of the year, new petitions and the accompanying 

fee shall be rejected and returned with a notice stating that numbers are unavailable for Mexican citizen TN 

nonimmigrants and the date when numbers will again become available. 

(e) Classification of citizens of Canada as TN professionals under the NAFTA. 

(1) General. Under Section 214(e) of the Act, a citizen of Canada who seeks temporary entry as a business 

person to engage in business activities at a professional level may be admitted to the United States in 

accordance with the NAFTA. 

(2) Application for admission. A citizen of Canada seeking admission under this section shall make application 

for admission with an immigration officer at a United States Class A port of entry, at a United States airport 

handling international traffic, or at a United States pre-clearance/pre-flight station. No prior petition, labor 

certification, or prior approval shall be required. 

(3) Evidence. A visa shall not be required of a Canadian citizen seeking admission as a TN nonimmigrant under 

Section 214(e) of the Act. Upon application for admission at a United States port of entry, an applicant under 

this section shall present the following: 

(i) Proof of Canadian citizenship. Unless travelling from outside the Western hemisphere, no passport shall be 

required; however, an applicant for admission must establish Canadian citizenship. 

(ii) Documentation demonstrating engagement in business activities at a professional level and demonstrating 

professional qualifications. The applicant must present documentation sufficient to satisfy the immigration officer 

at the time of application for admission, that the applicant is seeking entry to the United States to engage in 

business activities for a United States employer(s) or entity(ies) at a professional level, and that the applicant 

meets the criteria to perform at such a professional level. This documentation may be in the form of a letter from 

the prospective employer(s) in the United States or from the foreign employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen 

seeking entry to provide prearranged services to a United States entity, and may be required to be supported by 

licenses, diplomas, degrees, certificates, or membership in a professional organization. Degrees, diplomas, or 

certificates received by the applicant from an educational institution not located within Canada, Mexico, or the 

United States must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation service which 

specializes in evaluating foreign educational credentials. The documentation shall fully affirm: 

(A) The Appendix 1603.D.1 profession of the applicant; 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 128 
(B) A description of the professional activities, including a brief summary of daily job duties, if appropriate, which 

the applicant will engage in for the United States employer/entity; 

(C) The anticipated length of stay; 

(D) The educational qualifications or appropriate credentials which demonstrate that the Canadian citizen has 

professional level status; 

(E) The arrangements for remuneration for services to be rendered; and 

(F) If required by state or local law, that the Canadian citizen complies with all applicable laws and/or licensing 

requirements for the professional activity in which they will be engaged. 

(f) Procedures for admission. 

(1) Canadian citizens. A Canadian citizen who qualifies for admission under this section shall be provided 

confirming documentation (Service Form I-94) and shall be admitted under the classification symbol TN for a 

period not to exceed one year. Form I-94 shall bear the legend "multiple entry". The fee prescribed under Sec. 

103.7(b) of this chapter shall be remitted upon admission to the United States pursuant to the terms and 

conditions of the NAFTA. Upon remittance of the prescribed fee, the Canadian citizen applicant shall be 

provided a Service receipt (Form G-211, Form G-711, or Form I-797). 

(2) Mexican citizens. The Mexican citizen beneficiary of an approved Form I-129 granting classification as a TN 

professional shall be admitted to the United States for the validity period of the approved petition upon 

presentation of a valid TN visa issued by a United States consular officer and a copy of the United States 

employer's statement as described in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section. The Mexican citizen shall be provided 

Form I-94 bearing the legend "multiple entry". 

(g) Readmission. 

(1) Canadian citizens. A Canadian citizen in this classification may be readmitted to the United States for the 

remainder of the period authorized on Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or supporting documentation 

described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, and without remittance of the prescribed fee, provided that the 

original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not changed. If the Canadian citizen seeking 

readmission to the United States is no longer in possession of a valid, unexpired Form I-94, and the period of 

initial admission has not lapsed, he or she shall present alternate evidence in order to be readmitted in TN 

status. This alternate evidence may include, but is not limited to, a Service fee receipt for admission as a TN or 

a previously issued admission stamp as TN in a passport, and a confirming letter from the United States 

employer(s). A new Form I-94 shall be issued at the time of readmission bearing the legend "multiple entry". 

(2) Mexican citizens. A Mexican citizen in this classification may be readmitted for the remainder of the period 

of time authorized on Form I-94 provided that the original intended professional activities and employer(s) have 

not changed. If the Mexican citizen seeking readmission to the United States is no longer in possession of a 

valid, unexpired Form I-94, he or she may be readmitted upon presentation of a valid TN visa and evidence of a 

previous admission. A new Form I-94 shall be issued at the time of readmission bearing the legend "multiple 

entry". 

(h) Extension of stay. 

(1) Mexican citizen. The United States employer shall apply for extension of the Mexican citizen's stay in the 

United States by filing Form I-129 with the Northern Service Center. The applicant must also request a petition 

extension. The request for extension must be accompanied by either a new or a photocopy of the prior 

certification on Form ETA 9029, in the case of a registered nurse, or Form ETA 9035, in all other cases, that the 

petitioner continues to have on file with the Department of Labor for the period of time requested. The dates of 

extension shall be the same for the petition and the beneficiary's extension of stay. The beneficiary must be 

physically present in the United States at the time of the filing of the extension of stay. Even though the requests 

to extend the petition and the alien's stay are combined on the petition, the director shall make a separate 

determination on each. If the citizen of Mexico is required to leave the United States for business or personal 

reasons during the pendency of the extension request, the petitioner may request the director to cable 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 129 
notification of the approval of the petition to the consular office abroad where the beneficiary will apply for a visa. 

An extension of stay may be authorized for up to one year. There is no specific limit on the total period of time a 

citizen of Mexico may remain in TN status. 

(2) Canadian citizen. 

(i) Filing at the service center. The United States employer of a Canadian citizen in TN status or United States 

entity, in the case of a Canadian citizen in TN status who has a foreign employer, may request an extension of 

stay by filing Form I-129 with the prescribed fee, with the Northern Service Center. The beneficiary must be 

physically present in the United States at the time of the filing of the extension of stay. If the alien is required to 

leave the United States for business or personal reasons while the extension request is pending, the petitioner 

may request the director to cable notification of approval of the application to the port of entry where the 

Canadian citizen will apply for admission to the United States. An extension of stay may be authorized for up to 

one year. There is no specific limit on the total period of time a citizen of Canada may remain in TN status. 

(ii) Readmission at the border. Nothing in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this section shall preclude a citizen of Canada 

who has previously been in the United States in TN status from applying for admission for a period of time which 

extends beyond the date of his or her original term of admission at any United States port of entry. The 

application for admission shall be supported by a new letter from the United States employer or the foreign 

employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen who is providing prearranged services to a United States entity, 

which meets the requirements of paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section. The fee prescribed under Sec. 103.7(b) of 

this chapter shall be remitted upon admission to the United States pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 

NAFTA. 

(i) Request for change or addition of United States employer(s). 

(1) Mexican citizen. A citizen of Mexico admitted under this paragraph who seeks to change or add a United 

States employer must have the new employer file a Form I-129 petition with appropriate supporting 

documentation, including a letter from the new employer describing the services to be performed, the time 

needed to render such services, and the terms for remuneration for services and evidence of required filing with 

the Secretary of Labor. Employment with a different or with an additional employer is not authorized prior to 

Service approval of the petition. 

(2) Canadian citizen. 

(i) Filing at the service center. A citizen of Canada admitted under this paragraph who seeks to change or add a 

United States employer during the period of admission must have the new employer file a Form I-129 petition 

with appropriate supporting documentation, including a letter from the new employer describing the services to 

be performed, the time needed to render such services, and the terms for remuneration for services. 

Employment with a different or with an additional employer is not authorized prior to Service approval of the 

petition. 

(ii) Readmission at the border. Nothing in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section precludes a citizen of Canada from 

applying for readmission to the United States for the purpose of presenting documentation from a different or 

additional United States or foreign employer. Such documentation shall meet the requirements prescribed in 

paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section. The fee prescribed under Sec. 103.7(b) of this chapter shall be remitted upon 

admission to the United States pursuant to the terms and conditions of the NAFTA. 

(3) No action shall be required on the part of a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is transferred to another 

location by the United States employer to perform the same services. Such an acceptable transfer would be to a 

branch or office of the employer. In the case of a transfer to a separately incorporated subsidiary or affiliate, the 

requirements of paragraphs(i)(1) and (2) of this section would apply. 

(j) Spouse and unmarried minor children accompanying or following to join. 

(1) The spouse or unmarried minor child of a citizen of Canada or Mexico admitted in TN nonimmigrant status 

shall be required to present a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant TD visa unless otherwise exempt under Sec. 

212.1 of this chapter. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 130 
(2) The spouse and dependent minor children shall be issued confirming documentation (Form I-94) bearing the 

legend "multiple entry". There shall be no fee required for admission of the spouse and dependent minor 

children. 

(3) The spouse and dependent minor children shall not accept employment in the United States unless 

otherwise authorized under the Act. 

(k) Effect of a strike. If the Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or 

other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress, and the temporary entry of a citizen of 

Mexico or Canada in TN nonimmigrant status may affect adversely the settlement of any labor dispute or the 

employment of any person who is involved in such dispute: 

(1) The United States may refuse to issue an immigration document authorizing entry or employment to such 

alien. 

(2) A Form I-129 seeking to classify a citizen of Mexico as a TN nonimmigrant may be denied. If a petition has 

already been approved, but the alien has not yet entered the United States, or has entered the United States but 

not yet commenced employment, the approval of the petition may be suspended. 

(3) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States and is participating in a strike or other 

labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or other labor dispute has been 

certified by the Department of Labor, or whether the Service has been otherwise informed that such a strike or 

labor dispute is in progress, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain his or her status solely on 

account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of 

workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions: 

(i) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act and 

regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other TN nonimmigrants; 

(ii) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of 

his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers; and 

(iii) Although participation by a TN nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work 

stoppage of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who 

remains in the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation. 

(4) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or 

other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (k)(1) of this section, or the Service has not otherwise been 

informed by the Secretary that such a strike or labor dispute is in progress, the Commissioner shall not deny a 

petition, suspend an approved petition, or deny entry to an applicant for TN status. 

(l) Transition for Canadian Citizen Professionals in TC classification and their B-2 spouses and/or unmarried 

minor children. 

(1) Canadian citizen professionals in TC Classification. 

(i) General. Canadian citizen professionals in TC classification as of the effective date of the NAFTA 

Implementation Act (January 1, 1994) will automatically be deemed to be in valid TN classification. Such 

persons may be readmitted to the United States in TN classification for the remainder of the period authorized 

on their Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or supporting documentation described in paragraph (e)(3) 

of this section, and without remittance of the prescribed fee, provided that the original intended professional 

activities and employer(s) have not changed. Properly filed applications for extension of stay in TC classification 

which are pending on January 1, 1994 will be deemed to be, and adjudicated as if they were applications for 

extension of stay in TN classification. 

(ii) Procedure for Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification in possession of Form I-94 indicating 

admission in TC classification. At the time of readmission, such professionals shall be required to surrender 

their old Form I-94 indicating admission in TC classification. Upon surrender of the old Form I-94, such 

professional will be issued a new Form I-94 bearing the legend "multiple entry" and indicating that he or she has 

been readmitted in TN classification. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 131 
(iii) Procedure for Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification who are no longer in possession of Form I-94 

indicating admission in TC classification. If the Canadian citizen seeking readmission to the United States is no 

longer in possession of an unexpired Form I-94, and the period of initial admission has not lapsed, he or she 

shall present alternate evidence described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section in order to be readmitted in TN 

status. A Canadian professional seeking to extend his or her stay beyond the period indicated on the new Form 

I-94 shall be required to comply with the requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section, including remittance of 

the fee prescribed under Sec.103.7 of this chapter. 

(iv) Nonapplicability of this section to self-employed professionals in TC nonimmigrant classification. The 

provisions in paragraphs (l)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section shall not apply to professionals in TC nonimmigrant 

classification who are self-employed in this country on January 1, 1994. Effective January 1, 1994, such 

professionals are not authorized to engage in self-employment in this country, and may not be admitted in TN or 

readmitted in TC classification. 

(2) Spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizen professionals in TC classification. 

(i) General. Effective January 1, 1994, the nonimmigrant classification of a spouse and/or unmarried minor child 

of a Canadian citizen professional in TC classification will automatically be converted from B-2 to TD 

nonimmigrant classification. Effective January 1, 1994, the spouse and/or unmarried minor child of a Canadian 

citizen professional whose TC status has been automatically converted to TN, or the spouse and/or unmarried 

minor child of such professional whose status has been changed to TN pursuant to paragraph (l) of this section, 

who is seeking admission or readmission to this country, may be readmitted in TD classification for the 

remainder of the period authorized on their Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or supporting 

documentation described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, and without remittance of the prescribed fee, 

provided that the original intended professional activities and employer(s) of the Canadian citizen professional 

have not changed. Properly filed applications for extension of stay in B-2 classification as the spouse and/or 

unmarried minor children of a Canadian citizen professional in TC classification which are pending on January 

1, 1994 will be deemed to be, and adjudicated as if they were applications for extension of stay in TD 

classification. 

(ii) Procedure for spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification 

who are in possession of Form I-94 indicating admission in B-2 classification. Upon surrender of the Form I-94 

indicating that the alien has been admitted as the B-2 spouse or unmarried minor child of a TC alien valid for 

"multiple entry," such alien shall be issued a new Form I-94 indicating that the alien has been readmitted in TD 

classification. The new Form I-94 shall bear the legend "multiple entry." 

(iii) Procedure for spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizens admitted in TC classification 

who are no longer in possession of Form I-94 indicating admission in B-2 classification. If the Canadian citizen 

seeking readmission to the United States is no longer in possession of an unexpired Form I-94, and the period 

of initial admission has not lapsed, he or she shall present alternate evidence described in paragraph (g)(1) of 

this section in order to be admitted in TN status. Spouses and/or children of Canadian citizen professionals 

seeking to extend their stay beyond the period indicated on the new Form I-94 shall be required to comply the 

requirements of paragraph (h)(2) of this section, including remittance of the fee prescribed under Sec. 103.7 of 

this chapter. 

(iv) Nonapplicability of this section to spouses and/or unmarried minor children of self-employed professionals 

admitted in TC nonimmigrant classification. Paragraphs (l)(2)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this section shall not apply to the 

spouses and/or unmarried minor children of Canadian citizen professionals in TC nonimmigrant classification 

who are self-employed in this country on January 1, 1994. Effective January 1, 1994, such persons are not 

eligible for TD classification. 

[54 FR 48579, Nov. 24, 1989] 

Footnotes 

1/ A business person seeking temporary employment under this Appendix may also perform training functions 

relating to the profession, including conducting seminars. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 132 
2/ The terms "state/provincial" and "state/provincial/federal license" mean any document issued by a state, 

provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not by a local government, that 

permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession. 

3/ "Post Secondary Diploma" means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary 

education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. 

4/ "Post Secondary Certificate" means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post 

secondary education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in 

Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or academic 

institution created by federal or state law. 

5/ A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry for work in direct support of 

professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, 

meteorology or physics. 

6/ A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical, 

biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, 

treatment, or prevention of diseases. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 133 
Requirements for Admission for the TN classification as a Professional. 

The NAFTA professional is unique to the North American Free Trade Agreement (the NAFTA). The 

classification is not found in general immigration provisions in section 101(a)(15) of the INA; rather, it is 

included in section 214(e) of the INA. Under NAFTA, a Canadian or Mexican citizen who seeks temporary 

entry into the United States as a professional may be admitted to the United States under the provisions of 

the NAFTA as a TN (for Trade NAFTA). The TN is limited to Canadian or Mexican professionals employed 

on a professional level. A professional is defined as a business person seeking entry to engage in a 

business activity at a professional level in a profession set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603, if the 

business person otherwise qualifies under existing, general immigration requirements for temporary entry 

into the United States. 

The NAFTA professional is modeled on the professional category in the predecessor trade pact, the United 

States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (CFTA), which was in effect from January 1, 1989 until the entry into 

force of the NAFTA on January 1, 1994. The provisions differ slightly for Canadian citizen applicants and 

Mexican citizen applicants. Presently, the number of Mexican citizens entering the United States as TN 

professionals under NAFTA is limited to 5,500. There is no numerical limitation on the number of Canadian 

citizen TN professionals. 

As with the CFTA, admission as a TN under section 214(e) of the INA does not imply that the citizen of 

Canada or Mexico would otherwise qualify as a professional under sections 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) or 203(b)(3) 

of the INA. Note too that Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a professional to establish a business 

or practice in the United States in which the professional will be self-employed. Section D of Annex 1603 is 

limited to the entry of a citizen of a Party country seeking to render professional-level services for an entity 

in another Party country. 

Self-employment also clearly conflicts with the intent of the NAFTA Implementation Act and its 

accompanying Statement of Administrative Action, which states, at page 178, “Section D of Annex 1603 

does not authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in the United States in which the 

professional will be self-employed.” In this regard, Section B of Annex 1603, which deals with “traders and 

investors,” establishes the appropriate category of temporary entry for a citizen of a Party country seeking to 

develop and direct investment operations in another Party country. Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking to 

engage in self-employment in trade or investment activities in the United States, therefore, must seek 

classification under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the INA. 

Although the issue of self-employment was never specifically addressed under the regulations promulgated 

by the INS pursuant to the CFTA Implementation Act, the bar on establishment of a business or practice in 

which the professional will be self- employed is consistent with the intent of the United States and Canada in 

entering into the CFTA. Since entry into NAFTA was not intended to substantively change the treatment of 

professionals, this explicit bar merely clarifies existing law. 

Note that the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which the Canadian or Mexican citizen will be 

self-employed is in no way intended to preclude a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is self-employed abroad 

from seeking entry to the United States pursuant to a pre-arranged agreement with an enterprise owned by 

a person or entity other than him/herself located in the United States. On the other hand, a Canadian or 

Mexican citizen is precluded from entering this country in TN classification for the purpose of rendering prearranged services for a U.S. corporation or entity of which he or she is the sole or controlling shareholder or 

owner or over which he or she holds de facto control. 

(B) Pre-arranged Professional Services. In order to obtain “TN” classification, a businessperson, 

including one who is self-employed, must be seeking entry to render pre-arranged professional services 

to an individual or an enterprise. If the business activities are to be rendered to an individual or an 

enterprise, the enterprise must be substantively separate from the businessperson seeking entry. 

Moreover, the business activities must not include establishment of a business or practice or any other 

type of activity in which the businessperson will be self-employed in the United States. 

As used above, to constitute pre-arranged professional services, there must exist a formal arrangement 

to render professional service to an individual or an enterprise in the United States. The formal 

arrangement may be through an employee-employer relationship or through a signed contract between 

the businessperson or the businessperson’s employer and an individual or an enterprise in the United 

States. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 134 
(C) Enterprise for Which the Professional Activities are to be Performed in the United States. The 

enterprise in the United States for which the business activities are to be performed can take any legal 

form (as defined in Article 201 of the NAFTA), that is, “any entity entirely constituted or organized under 

applicable law, whether or not for profit, and whether privately- owned or government-owned, including 

any corporation, trust partnership, sole proprietorship, joint venture or other association.” 

(D) Substantively Separate from the Business Person Seeking Entry as NAFTA Professional. A 

businessperson is ineligible for classification as a NAFTA Professional if the enterprise in the United 

States offering a contract or employment to the businessperson seeking entry is a sole proprietorship 

operated by that businessperson. Moreover, even if the receiving enterprise is legally distinct from the 

businessperson, such as a corporation having a separate legal existence, entry as a NAFTA 

Professional must be refused if the receiving enterprise is substantially controlled by that 

businessperson. 

(E) Substantial Control. Whether the businessperson “substantially controls” the U.S. enterprise will 

depend on the specific facts of each case. The following factors, among others, are relevant in 

determining what constitutes substantial control: 

• whether the applicant has established the receiving enterprise; 

• whether, as a matter of fact, the applicant has sole or primary control of the U.S. enterprise 

(regardless of the applicant’s actual percentage of share ownership); 

• whether the applicant is the sole or primary owner of the business; or 

• whether the applicant is the sole or primary recipient of income of the business. 

(F) Establishment of a Business in Which the Professional Will be Self-Employed in the United States. The 

following factors, among others are relevant in determining whether the business person will be selfemployed in the United States: 

• incorporation of a company in which the business person will be self-employed; 

• initiation of communications (e.g., by direct mail or by advertising) for the purpose of obtaining 

employment or entering into contracts for an enterprise in the United States; or 

• responding to advertisements for the purpose of obtaining employment or entering into contracts. 

On the other hand, the following activities do not constitute the establishment of a business in which the 

business person will be self-employed in the United States: 

• responding to unsolicited inquiries about service(s) which the professional may be able to perform; 

or 

• establishing business premises from which to deliver pre-arranged service to clients. 

Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Under NAFTA, an applicant seeking classification as a 

TN must demonstrate business activity at a professional level in one of the professions or occupations listed 

in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603. Appendix 1603.D.1 (which replaces Schedule 2 to Annex 1502.1 of 

the CFTA) is set forth at 8 CFR 214.6©. A Baccalaureate (bachelor’s) or Licenciatura degree is the 

minimum requirement for these professions unless an alternative credential is otherwise specified. 

A footnote to Appendix 1603.D.1 allows for temporary entry to perform training functions relating to any of 

the cited occupations or profession, including conducting seminars. However, these training functions must 

be conducted in the manner of prearranged activities performed for an U.S. entity and the subject matter to 

be proffered must be at a professional level. The training function does not allow for the entry of a 

businessperson to conduct seminars that do not constitute the performance of prearranged activities for an 

U.S. entity. 

The terms “state/provincial license” and “state/provincial/federal license” means any document issued by a 

state, provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not by a local 

government, that permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession. 

A “Post Secondary Diploma” means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post 

secondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. A “Post 

Secondary Certificate” means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary 

education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in Mexico, 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 135 
an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an academic

institution created by federal or state law.

The following notes relate to NAFTA TN admissions in specific occupations:

(A) A business person in the category of “Scientific Technician/ Technologist” must be seeking temporary

entry for work in direct support of professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry,

engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics. These occupations do not ordinarily

require a baccalaureate. Supporting documents could be an attestation from the prospective U.S. employer

or the Canadian employer, or other documents establishing the individual possesses the skills set forth in

Appendix 1603.D.1.

(B) A business person in the category of “Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada) /Medical Technologist

(Mexico and the United States)” must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical,

biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis,

treatment, or prevention of diseases.

(C) Foreign medical school graduates seeking temporary entry in the category of “Physician (teaching or

research only)” may not engage in direct patient care. Patient care that is incidental teaching and/or

research is permissible. Patient care is incidental when it is casually incurred in conjunction with the

physician’s teaching or research. To determine if the patient care will incidental, factors such as the amount

of time spent in patient care relative to teaching and/or research, whether the physician receives

compensation for such services, whether the salary offer is so substantial in teaching and/or research that

direct patient care is unlikely, or whether the physician will have a regular patient load, should be considered

by the officer.

(D) Registered nurses must demonstrate eligibility by providing a provincial or state license or Licenciatura

degree. However, in order to be admitted the registered nurse must present a permanent state license, a

temporary state license, or other temporary authorization to work as a registered nurse, issued by the state

nursing board in the state of intended employment. Registered nurses holding temporary state licenses or

other temporary state authorization shall not be required to show they have passed the examination given

by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Admission of nurses should not be

limited to the expiration date of either document.

(E) Sylviculturists and foresters plan and supervise the growing, protection, and harvesting of trees. Range

managers manage, improve, and protect rangelands to maximize their use without damaging the

environment. A baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in forestry or a related field or a state/provincial

license is the minimum entry requirement for these occupations.

F) Disaster relief insurance claims adjusters must submit documentation that there is a declared disaster

event by the President of the United States, or a state statute, or a local ordinance, or an event at a site

which has been assigned a catastrophe serial number by the Property Claims Service of the American

Insurance Services Group, or, if property damage exceeds $5 million and represents a significant number of

claims, by an association of insurance companies representing at least 15 percent of the property casualty

market in the U.S.

G) Management consultants provide services that are directed toward improving the managerial,

operating, and economic performance of public and private entities by analyzing and resolving strategic and

operating problems and thereby improving the entity’s goals, objectives, policies, strategies, administration,

organization, and operation. Management consultants are usually independent contractors or employees of

consulting firms under contracts to U.S. entities. They may be salaried employees of the U.S. entities to

which they are providing services only when they are not assuming existing positions or filling newly created

positions. As a salaried employee of such an U.S. entity, they may only fill supernumerary temporary

positions. On the other hand, if the employer is a U.S. management-consulting firm, the employee may be

coming temporarily to fill a permanent position. Canadian or Mexican citizens may qualify as management

consultants by holding a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree or by having five years of experience in a

specialty related to the consulting agreement.

(H) The computer systems analyst category does not include programmers. A systems analyst is an

information specialist who analyzes how data processing can be applied to the specific needs of users and

who designs and implements computer-based processing systems. Systems analysts study the

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 136 
organization itself to identify its information needs and design computer systems that meet those needs. 

Although the systems analyst will do some programming, the TN category has not been expanded to 

include programmers. 

(I) Hotel Managers must possess a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in hotel/restaurant 

management. A post-secondary diploma in hotel/restaurant management plus 3 years of experience in the 

field will also qualify. 

(J) Animal and Plant Breeders breed animals and plants to improve their economic and aesthetic 

characteristics. Both occupations require a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree. 

(3) Qualifications. The NAFTA professional must meet the following general criteria: 

• Be a citizen of Canada 

• Be engaged in professional-level activities for an entity in the United States. Only those 

professional-level activities listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 are covered under the 

NAFTA. The applicant must establish that the professional-level services will be rendered for 

an entity in the United States. The NAFTA professional category is not appropriate for 

Canadian citizens seeking to set up a business in the United States in which he or she will be 

self-employed. 

• Be qualified as a professional. The applicant must establish qualifications to engage in one of 

the activities listed in Appendix 1603.D.1. The Minimum Education Requirements and 

Alternative Credentials are listed in the Appendix for each professional-level activity. The 

regulation requires that degrees, diplomas, or certificates received by the TN applicant from an 

educational institution outside of the United States, Canada, or Mexico must be accompanied 

by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation service that specializes in such 

evaluations. Experiential evidence should be in the form of letters from former employers. If 

the applicant was formerly self-employed, business records should be submitted attesting to 

that self-employment. 

• Meet applicable license requirements. To practice a licensed profession, Canadian entrants 

must meet all applicable requirements of the state in which they intend to practice. 

• Be in the United States temporarily. The NAFTA professional must establish that the intent of 

entry is not for permanent residence. 

(4) Application Process. 

Citizens of Canada. A citizen of Canada may apply for entry to the U.S. as a NAFTA professional at 

major land border ports-of-entry, airports handling international flights, or at the airports in Canada 

where the Service has established a pre-clearance/pre-flight station. The applicant must submit 

documentary proof that he or she is a citizen of Canada. Such proof may consist of a Canadian 

passport or birth certificate together with photo identification. No visa is required for entry, but the 

applicant may seek visa issuance if desired. 

The application for entry as a TN must be made to an immigration officer. There is no written 

application, and no prior petition, labor certification, or prior approval is required for Canadian citizens 

applying for admission to the U.S. in TN status. Documentation from the prospective employer in the 

U.S., or from the foreign employer, must include the following: 

• A statement (in the form of a letter or contract) of the professional-level activity listed in 

Appendix 1603.D.1, in which the applicant will be engaging and a full description of the nature of the job 

duties the applicant will be performing, the anticipated length of stay, and the arrangements for 

remuneration; 

• Evidence that the applicant meets the educational qualifications or alternative credentials for the 

activity listed in Appendix 1603.D.1; and 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 137 
• Evidence that all licensure requirements, where required by state or local law, have been 

satisfied. 

(5) Terms of Initial Admission. 

(A) Canadians. A Canadian citizen who qualifies for admission under the NAFTA in the TN 

classification must remit the fee prescribed in 8 CFR 103.7 (presently $50.00 US) upon admission. 

Issue the applicant a Service fee receipt (Form G-211, Form G-711, or Form I-797) and a multiple 

entry Form I-94 showing admission in the classification TN for the period requested not to exceed 1 

year. 

At the time application for admission, the citizen of Canada will be subject to inspection to determine the 

applicability of section 214(b) of the Act (presumption of immigrant intent) to the applicant. 

(6) Procedures for Readmission. 

(A) Canadians. A Canadian citizen eligible for TN classification may be readmitted to the U.S. for the 

remainder of the period authorized on his or her Form I-94, without presentation of the letter or 

supporting documentation described above, provided that the original intended business activities 

and employer(s) have not changed. If the Canadian citizen is no longer in possession of a valid, 

unexpired Form I-94, the applicant must present substantiating evidence. Substantiating evidence 

may be in the form of a Service fee receipt for admission as a TN, a previously issued TN admission 

stamp in a passport, and a confirming letter from the U.S. employer(s). Upon readmission, issue a 

new multiple entry Form I-94. 

(7) Extension of stay. 

Canadians. A citizen of Canada admitted pursuant to NAFTA may seek an extension of stay as a TN 

through the filing of a Form I-129 by the U.S. employer with the Nebraska Service Center. No 

Department of Labor certification requirements apply to a Canadian citizen in TN status who is seeking 

to extend that status. The applicant must be in the U.S. at the time of filing the extension request. 

Provision is made for port-of-entry notification should the applicant depart the U.S. during the pendency 

of the application. An extension may be granted for up to 1 year. 

A citizen of Canada is not precluded from departing the U.S. and applying for admission with 

documentation from a U.S. employer (or foreign employer, in the case of a Canadian citizen who is 

seeking to provide prearranged services at a professional level to a U.S. entity) which specifies that the 

applicant will be employed in the U.S. for an additional period of time. The applicant must meet the 

evidentiary requirements outlined above and the prescribed fee must be remitted upon admission. 

Limitations. At the present time, there is no specified upper limit on the number of years a citizen of 

Canada may remain in the U.S. in TN classification, as there is with most of the other nonimmigrant 

classifications. However, section 214(b) of the Act is applicable to citizens of Canada who seek an 

extension of stay in TN status and applications for extension or readmission must be examined in light 

of this statutory provision. 

Except as limited by section 248 of the Act, a citizen of Canada who is currently in the U.S. in another 

valid classification is not precluded from requesting a change of status to TN. If such applicant is in the 

U.S. as an H-1 or L-1, he or she may be changed to TN status if otherwise eligible, without regard to the 

maximum time limits for those classifications. A Canadian J nonimmigrant who is subject to the 2-year 

foreign residence requirement may not change to TN classification, but may leave the U.S. and seek 

readmission as a TN. 

(8) Request for change/additions of U.S. employers. A Canadian citizen may change or add employers 

while in the U.S. through the filing of Form I-129 at the Nebraska Service Center. All documentary 

requirements pertaining to a citizen of Canada outlined above must be met. Employment with a different or 

with an additional employer is not authorized prior to INS approval of the petition. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 138 
Alternatively, the Canadian citizen may depart the United States and apply for reentry for the purpose of 

obtaining additional employment authorization with a new or additional employer. Documentary 

requirements outlined above must be met and the prescribed fee must be remitted upon readmission. 

No action is required by a Canadian citizen who is transferred to another location by the U.S. employer to 

perform the same services. An example of such an acceptable transfer would be to a branch or office of the 

employer. If the transfer is to a separately incorporated subsidiary or affiliate, Form I-129 must be filed. 

(9) Spouse and unmarried minor children. The spouse and unmarried minor children who are 

accompanying or following to join a TN professional, if otherwise admissible, are to be accorded TD (Trade 

Dependent) classification. These are required to present a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa unless 

otherwise visa-exempt under 8 CFR 212.1. (Those persons who are normally exempt from nonimmigrant 

visa requirements include citizens of Canada and Landed Immigrants of Canada having a common 

nationality with Canadian citizens). 

There is no requirement that the TD dependent be a citizen of Canada or Mexico. 

No fee is required for admission of dependents in TD status (except the fee for the I-94) and they are to be 

issued multiple entry Forms I-94. 

A TD spouse or child is not authorized to accept employment while in the U.S. in such status. Dependents in 

TD status may attend school in the U.S. on a full-time basis as such attendance is deemed incident to 

status. 

(10)Denial. In the event a Canadian citizen applying for admission pursuant to NAFTA cannot demonstrate 

to the admitting officer that he or she satisfies the TN documentary requirements, the Canadian citizen 

should be offered a hearing before an immigration judge provided the applicant is confident he or she, in 

fact, meets the requirements pursuant to the NAFTA, Appendix 1603.D.1 The request for a hearing is 

equivalent to a TN appeal or a reconsideration of the admitting officer’s decision. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 139 
SUMMARY

CANADIAN TN PROCESSING INSTRUCTIONS

The application for entry as a TN must be made in person to an immigration officer at a port of entry. There 

is no written application, and no prior petition, labor certification, or prior approval may be required for 

Canadian citizens applying for admission to the U.S. in TN status. Documentation from the prospective 

employer in the U.S. must include the following: 

• A statement (in the form of a letter or contract) of the professional-level activity listed in Appendix 

1603.D.1, in which the applicant will be engaging and a full description of the nature of the job duties the 

applicant will be performing, the anticipated length of stay, and the arrangements for remuneration; 

• Evidence that the applicant meets the educational qualifications or alternative credentials for the activity 

listed in Appendix 1603.D.1; and 

• Evidence that all licensure requirements, where required by state or local law, have been satisfied. 

• Evidence of Canadian citizenship or oral declaration (if satisfied) 

• Applicant must be otherwise admissible 

Perform all database checks.

Collect fee: $50.00; issue fee receipt (G-211).

Admit on I-94 for period of agreement up to one year.

I-94 Departure copy: admission stamp annotated TN - stamp "Multiple Entry"

I-94 Arrival copy: reverse annotated with employer and occupation (It is very important to capture

occupation information. INS has the obligation under NAFTA Article 1604.2 to share data specific to 

each occupation, profession or activity, with Canada and Mexico.) 

Spouse and child are admitted TD for same period of time as TN; if they are not visa exempt they need an 

NIV issued by a U. S. Consulate or Embassy. 

The information on the following page should be printed as a handout when admitting TN professionals. Please 

enter the name and telephone number of the port of entry. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 140 
Information About Your Admission as a TN Professional 

You have been admitted to the United States as a Professional (TN) pursuant to the provisions of the North 

American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). You have been issued Form I-94 (Departure Record) that is 

stamped "multiple entry", showing the period of time for which you have been admitted. This is your employment 

authorization and you must retain it for the duration of your status as written on the admission stamp. You must 

present the I-94 each time you apply for readmission. When your employment terminates in the United States, 

you are required to depart the United States and return the I-94 to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. 

Your dependents, if following to join you, will have to present copies of your entry documents, proof of 

citizenship and evidence of a legal relationship (i.e. marriage certificate, long form birth certificate) which entitles 

them to be properly classified as dependents (TD) of a TN professional. If they are not Canadian citizens or if 

they are not exempt a nonimmigrant visa, they will be required to present a TD nonimmigrant visa issued at a 

U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

As a TN, you are NOT authorized to: 

1) Accept employment with any employer other than the employer for whom you were admitted to work, 

unless you receive permission from INS. 

2) Continue to work or remain in the United States after your period of authorized stay has expired. 

You may extend your status inside the United States by applying for an extension of stay on form I-129. You 

must file the I-129, and prescribed fee, with the Nebraska Service Center prior to the expiration of your current 

status. You must be physically present in the United States at the time of filing the extension of stay. Your 

application for extension also includes your dependents. 

You may also depart the United States and apply for readmission. This is considered a new application and you 

will be required to present a current letter from your employer and all supporting documentation just as you did 

on your initial entry. You will also be required to pay the $50.00 processing fee. Your dependents will be 

required to accompany you in order to be properly readmitted. 

For readmission to the United States after travel outside of the Western Hemisphere, you should present a copy 

of your I-94, the receipt for the processing fee and a copy of the letter from your employer that you presented to 

gain admission as a TN. 

If you have any questions concerning your status or admission, you may contact the United States Immigration 

& Naturalization Service at _______________________________, telephone _______________________. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 141 
SECTION SIX 

Mexican TN Nonimmigrant

pursuant to NAFTA

Requirements for Admission 143

Extension of Stay 148

Change of/or addition of employer 148

Spouse and Children 148

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 142 
Mexican TN Nonimmigrant pursuant to NAFTA 

The NAFTA professional is unique to the North American Free Trade Agreement (the NAFTA). The 

classification is not found in general immigration provisions in section 101(a)(15) of the INA; rather, it is included 

in section 214(e) of the INA. Under NAFTA, a Canadian or Mexican citizen who seeks temporary entry into the 

United States as a professional may be admitted to the United States under the provisions of the NAFTA as a 

TN (for Trade NAFTA). The TN is limited to Canadian or Mexican professionals employed on a professional 

level. A professional is defined as a business person seeking entry to engage in a business activity at a 

professional level in a profession set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603, if the business person 

otherwise qualifies under existing, general immigration requirements for temporary entry into the United States. 

The NAFTA professional is modeled on the professional category in the predecessor trade pact, the United 

States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (CFTA), which was in effect from January 1, 1989 until the entry into 

force of the NAFTA on January 1, 1994. The provisions differ slightly for Canadian citizen applicants and 

Mexican citizen applicants. Presently, the number of Mexican citizens entering the United States as TN 

professionals under NAFTA is limited to 5,500. There is no numerical limitation on the number of Canadian 

citizen TN professionals. 

As with the CFTA, admission as a TN under section 214(e) of the INA does not imply that the citizen of Canada 

or Mexico would otherwise qualify as a professional under sections 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) or 203(b)(3) of the INA. 

Note too that Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in 

the United States in which the professional will be self-employed. Section D of Annex 1603 is limited to the 

entry of a citizen of a Party country seeking to render professional-level services for an entity in another Party 

country. 

Self-employment also clearly conflicts with the intent of the NAFTA Implementation Act and its accompanying 

Statement of Administrative Action, which states, at page 178, “Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a 

professional to establish a business or practice in the United States in which the professional will be selfemployed.” In this regard, Section B of Annex 1603, which deals with “traders and investors,” establishes the 

appropriate category of temporary entry for a citizen of a Party country seeking to develop and direct investment 

operations in another Party country. Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking to engage in self-employment in 

trade or investment activities in the United States, therefore, must seek classification under section 

101(a)(15)(E) of the INA. 

Although the issue of self-employment was never specifically addressed under the regulations promulgated by 

the INS pursuant to the CFTA Implementation Act, the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which 

the professional will be self- employed is consistent with the intent of the United States and Canada in entering 

into the CFTA. Since entry into NAFTA was not intended to substantively change the treatment of 

professionals, this explicit bar merely clarifies existing law. 

Note that the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which the Canadian or Mexican citizen will be 

self-employed is in no way intended to preclude a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is self-employed abroad 

from seeking entry to the United States pursuant to a pre-arranged agreement with an enterprise owned by a 

person or entity other than him/herself located in the United States. On the other hand, a Canadian or Mexican 

citizen is precluded from entering this country in TN classification for the purpose of rendering pre-arranged 

services for a U.S. corporation or entity of which he or she is the sole or controlling shareholder or owner or over 

which he or she holds de facto control. 

Pre-arranged Professional Services. In order to obtain “TN” classification, a businessperson, including one 

who is self-employed, must be seeking entry to render pre-arranged professional services to an individual or an 

enterprise. If the business activities are to be rendered to an individual or an enterprise, the enterprise must be 

substantively separate from the businessperson seeking entry. Moreover, the business activities must not 

include establishment of a business or practice or any other type of activity in which the businessperson will be 

self-employed in the United States. 

As used above, to constitute pre-arranged professional services, there must exist a formal arrangement to 

render professional service to an individual or an enterprise in the United States. The formal arrangement may 

be through an employee-employer relationship or through a signed contract between the businessperson or the 

businessperson’s employer and an individual or an enterprise in the United States. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 143 
Enterprise for Which the Professional Activities are to be Performed in the United States. The enterprise 

in the United States for which the business activities are to be performed can take any legal form (as defined in 

Article 201 of the NAFTA), that is, “any entity entirely constituted or organized under applicable law, whether or 

not for profit, and whether privately- owned or government-owned, including any corporation, trust partnership, 

sole proprietorship, joint venture or other association.” 

Substantively Separate from the Business Person Seeking Entry as NAFTA Professional. A 

businessperson is ineligible for classification as a NAFTA Professional if the enterprise in the United States 

offering a contract or employment to the businessperson seeking entry is a sole proprietorship operated by that 

businessperson. Moreover, even if the receiving enterprise is legally distinct from the businessperson, such as 

a corporation having a separate legal existence, entry as a NAFTA Professional must be refused if the receiving 

enterprise is substantially controlled by that businessperson. 

Substantial Control. Whether the businessperson “substantially controls” the U.S. enterprise will depend on 

the specific facts of each case. The following factors, among others, are relevant in determining what 

constitutes substantial control: 

• whether the applicant has established the receiving enterprise; 

• whether, as a matter of fact, the applicant has sole or primary control of the U.S. enterprise (regardless 

of the applicant’s actual percentage of share ownership); 

• whether the applicant is the sole or primary owner of the business; or 

• whether the applicant is the sole or primary recipient of income of the business. 

(F) Establishment of a Business in Which the Professional Will be Self-Employed in the United States. 

The following factors, among others are relevant in determining whether the business person will be selfemployed in the United States: 

• incorporation of a company in which the business person will be self-employed; 

• initiation of communications (e.g., by direct mail or by advertising) for the purpose of obtaining 

employment or entering into contracts for an enterprise in the United States; or 

• responding to advertisements for the purpose of obtaining employment or entering into contracts. 

On the other hand, the following activities do not constitute the establishment of a business in which the 

business person will be self-employed in the United States: 

• responding to unsolicited inquiries about service(s) which the professional may be able to perform; or 

• establishing business premises from which to deliver pre-arranged service to clients. 

(2) Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 of the NAFTA. Under NAFTA, an applicant seeking classification 

as a TN must demonstrate business activity at a professional level in one of the professions or 

occupations listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603. Appendix 1603.D.1 (which replaces Schedule 

2 to Annex 1502.1 of the CFTA) is set forth at 8 CFR 214.6(c). A Baccalaureate (bachelor’s) or 

Licenciatura degree is the minimum requirement for these professions unless an alternative credential is 

otherwise specified. In the case of a Canadian or Mexican citizen whose occupation does not appear 

on Appendix 1603.D.1 or who does not meet the transparent criteria specified, nothing precludes the 

filing of a petition for classification under another existing nonimmigrant classification. 

A footnote to Appendix 1603.D.1 allows for temporary entry to perform training functions relating to any 

of the cited occupations or profession, including conducting seminars. However, these training 

functions must be conducted in the manner of prearranged activities performed for an U.S. entity and 

the subject matter to be proffered must be at a professional level. The training function does not allow 

for the entry of a businessperson to conduct seminars that do not constitute the performance of 

prearranged activities for an U.S. entity. 

The terms “state/provincial license ” and “state/provincial/federal license ” means any document 

issued by a state, provincial, or federal government, as the case may be, or under its authority, but not 

by a local government, that permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession. 

A “Post Secondary Diploma” means a credential issued, on completion of two or more years of post 

secondary education, by an accredited academic institution in Canada or the United States. A “Post 

Secondary Certificate” means a certificate issued, on completion of two or more years of post secondary 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 144 
education at an academic institution, by the federal government of Mexico or a state government in 

Mexico, an academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government, or an 

academic institution created by federal or state law. 

The following notes relate to NAFTA TN admissions in specific occupations: 

(A) A business person in the category of “Scientific Technician/ Technologist” must be seeking 

temporary entry for work in direct support of professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, 

chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics. These occupations do 

not ordinarily require a baccalaureate. Supporting documents could be an attestation from the 

prospective U.S. employer or the Canadian employer, or other documents establishing the individual 

possesses the skills set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1. 

(B) A business person in the category of “Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada) /Medical 

Technologist (Mexico and the United States)” must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a 

laboratory chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and 

analyses for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases. 

(C) Foreign medical school graduates seeking temporary entry in the category of “Physician (teaching or 

research only)” may not engage in direct patient care. Patient care that is incidental teaching and/or 

research is permissible. Patient care is incidental when it is casually incurred in conjunction with the 

physician’s teaching or research. To determine if the patient care will incidental, factors such as the 

amount of time spent in patient care relative to teaching and/or research, whether the physician 

receives compensation for such services, whether the salary offer is so substantial in teaching and/or 

research that direct patient care is unlikely, or whether the physician will have a regular patient load, 

should be considered by the officer. 

(D) Registered nurses must demonstrate eligibility by providing a provincial or state license or Licenciatura 

degree. However, in order to be admitted the registered nurse must present a permanent state license, 

a temporary state license, or other temporary authorization to work as a registered nurse, issued by the 

state nursing board in the state of intended employment. Registered nurses holding temporary state 

licenses or other temporary state authorization shall not be required to show they have passed the 

examination given by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Admission 

of nurses should not be limited to the expiration date of either document. 

(E) Sylviculturists and foresters plan and supervise the growing, protection, and harvesting of trees. 

Range managers manage, improve, and protect rangelands to maximize their use without damaging the 

environment. A baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in forestry or a related field or a state/provincial 

license is the minimum entry requirement for these occupations. 

F) Disaster relief insurance claims adjusters must submit documentation that there is a declared 

disaster event by the President of the United States, or a state statute, or a local ordinance, or an event 

at a site which has been assigned a catastrophe serial number by the Property Claims Service of the 

American Insurance Services Group, or, if property damage exceeds $5 million and represents a 

significant number of claims, by an association of insurance companies representing at least 15 percent 

of the property casualty market in the U.S. 

G) Management consultants provide services that are directed toward improving the managerial, 

operating, and economic performance of public and private entities by analyzing and resolving strategic 

and operating problems and thereby improving the entity’s goals, objectives, policies, strategies, 

administration, organization, and operation. Management consultants are usually independent 

contractors or employees of consulting firms under contracts to U.S. entities. They may be salaried 

employees of the U.S. entities to which they are providing services only when they are not assuming 

existing positions or filling newly created positions. As a salaried employee of such a U.S. entity, they 

may only fill supernumerary temporary positions. On the other hand, if the employer is an U.S. 

management-consulting firm, the employee may be coming temporarily to fill a permanent position. 

Canadian or Mexican citizens may qualify as management consultants by holding a Baccalaureate or 

Licenciatura degree or by having five years of experience in a specialty related to the consulting 

agreement. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 145 
(H) The computer systems analyst category does not include programmers. A systems analyst is an 

information specialist who analyzes how data processing can be applied to the specific needs of users 

and who designs and implements computer-based processing systems. Systems analysts study the 

organization itself to identify its information needs and design computer systems that meet those needs. 

Although the systems analyst will do some programming, the TN category has not been expanded to 

include programmers. 

(I) Hotel Managers must possess a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree in hotel/restaurant 

management. A post-secondary diploma in hotel/restaurant management plus 3 years of experience in 

the field will also qualify. 

(J) Animal and Plant Breeders breed animals and plants to improve their economic and aesthetic 

characteristics. Both occupations require a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree. 

(3) Qualifications. The NAFTA professional must meet the following general criteria: 

• Be a citizen of a NAFTA country (Canada or Mexico). 

• Be engaged in professional-level activities for an entity in the United States. Only those professionallevel activities listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 to Annex 1603 are covered under the NAFTA. The applicant 

must establish that the professional-level services will be rendered for an entity in the United States. The 

NAFTA professional category is not appropriate for Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking to set up a 

business in the United States in which he or she will be self-employed. 

• Be qualified as a professional. The applicant must establish qualifications to engage in one of the 

activities listed in Appendix 1603.D.1. The Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials 

are listed in the Appendix for each professional-level activity. The regulation requires that degrees, 

diplomas, or certificates received by the TN applicant from an educational institution outside of the United 

States, Canada, or Mexico must be accompanied by an evaluation by a reliable credentials evaluation 

service that specializes in such evaluations. Experiential evidence should be in the form of letters from 

former employers. If the applicant was formerly self-employed, business records should be submitted 

attesting to that self-employment. 

• Meet applicable license requirements. To practice a licensed profession, Canadian and Mexican 

entrants must meet all applicable requirements of the state in which they intend to practice. 

• Be in the United States temporarily. The NAFTA professional must establish that the intent of entry is 

not for permanent residence. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 146 
Application Process 

Citizens of Mexico. A citizen of Mexico may apply for entry to the U.S. as a NAFTA professional at major 

land border ports-of-entry, airports handling international flights, or at the airports in Canada where the 

Service has established a pre-clearance/pre-flight station. However, a citizen of Mexico must be in 

possession of a TN nonimmigrant visa issued by an American Consulate and present a valid Mexican 

passport. 

Citizens of Mexico seeking classification as a TN must do so on the basis of a petition filed by the U.S. 

employer. Before filing the petition, the employer must meet the labor application requirement of section 

212(n) of the Act. 

Each prospective U.S. employer must file the petition on Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with 

the Nebraska Service Center, even in emergent circumstances, with the following: 

• Evidence that the applicant is a citizen of Mexico; 

• Evidence that the employer has filed with the Secretary of Labor Form ETA 9035 to show that 

the petitioner has met the labor condition application requirement of section 212(n) of the Act; 

• A statement of the activity listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 in which the beneficiary will be engaging, 

a full description of the nature of the duties the beneficiary will be performing, the anticipated length of 

stay, and the arrangements for remuneration; 

• Evidence that the applicant meets the educational and/ or alternative credentials for the activity 

listed in Appendix 1603.D.1; and 

• Evidence that all applicable state or local licensure requirements have been satisfied. 

The Service will provide the U.S. employer with a written decision approving or denying the petition. The 

applicant must then present the approval notice to the consular official when applying for a TN visa. There is a 

fee to apply for a TN visa. A petition classifying a citizen of Mexico as a TN professional may be approved for 

up to 1 year. In the case of a petition denial, full appeal rights through the Administrative Appeals Unit are 

available to the petitioner. 

Terms of Initial Admission 

Mexicans. A Mexican citizen seeking admission in TN classification is required to present a valid TN visa 

issued by an American Consulate. In addition to the visa requirement, the Mexican citizen must present at the 

time of application for initial admission a copy of the employer’s statement regarding the nature of the 

applicant’s duties in the United States. 

Admit a Mexican TN for the validity period of the approved petition and issue a multiple entry Form I-94 

showing admission classification as TN. Annotate the occupation in block #18 on the back of the arrival portion 

of the I-94. (It is very important to capture occupation information. INS has the obligation under NAFTA Article 

1604.2 to share data specific to each occupation, profession or activity, with Canada and Mexico.) 

(Note that only citizens of Canada pay the TN application fee at the port-of-entry. This fee is not charged to 

Mexican citizens when applying for TN classification at the port-of-entry because fees are charged for filing the 

I-129 petition and for issuance of the TN nonimmigrant visa.) 

At the time application for admission, the citizen of Mexico will be subject to inspection to determine the 

applicability of section 214(b) of the Act (presumption of immigrant intent) to the applicant. 

Procedures for Readmission 

The citizen of Mexico who is in possession of a valid Form I-94 may be readmitted for the remainder of the time 

authorized provided that the original intended professional activities and employer(s) have not changed and 

should retain possession of that original Form I-94. If no longer in possession of a valid Form I-94 (e.g. a citizen 

of Mexico seeking readmission upon return from a trip to Europe), the Mexican citizen may be readmitted upon 

presentation of a valid TN visa and evidence of prior admission. Evidence of prior admission may include, but is 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 147 
not limited to, an INS fee receipt from a prior entry or an admission stamp in the applicant’s passport. Upon 

readmission, a new I-94 shall be issued bearing the legend “multiple entry.” 

Extension of stay 

A citizen of Mexico seeking an extension of stay in the U.S. in TN status also must be petitioned for on Form I129 at the Nebraska Service Center. Documentary requirements include evidence that Department of Labor 

certification requirements continue to be met by the employer. Provision is included for consular notification 

should the applicant leave the U.S. during the pendency of the application. A petition extension and extension 

of the applicant’s stay may be granted for up to 1 year. 

Limitations. At the present time, there is no specified upper limit on the number of years a citizen of Mexico 

may remain in the U.S. in TN classification, as there is with most of the other nonimmigrant classifications. 

However, section 214(b) of the Act is applicable to citizens of Mexico who seek an extension of stay in TN 

status and applications for extension or readmission must be examined in light of this statutory provision. 

Except as limited by section 248 of the Act, a citizen of Mexico who is currently in the U.S. in another valid 

classification is not precluded from requesting a change of status to TN. If such applicant is in the U.S. as an H1 or L-1, he or she may be changed to TN status if otherwise eligible, without regard to the maximum time limits 

for those classifications. A Canadian J nonimmigrant who is subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement 

may not change to TN classification, but may leave the U.S. and seek readmission as a TN. 

Request for change/additions of U.S. employers. A Mexican citizen may change or add employers while in 

the U.S. through the filing of Form I-129 at the Northern Service Center. All documentary requirements 

pertaining to a citizen of Mexico outlined above must be met. Employment with a different or with an additional 

employer is not authorized prior to INS approval of the petition. 

No action is required by a Mexican citizen who is transferred to another location by the U.S. employer to perform 

the same services. An example of such an acceptable transfer would be to a branch or office of the employer. 

If the transfer is to a separately incorporated subsidiary or affiliate, Form I-129 must be filed. 

Spouse and unmarried minor children 

The spouse and unmarried minor children who are accompanying or following to join a TN professional, if

otherwise admissible, are to be accorded TD (Trade Dependent) classification. These are required to present a

valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa unless otherwise visa-exempt under 8 CFR 212.1. (Those persons who are

normally exempt from nonimmigrant visa requirements include citizens of Canada and Landed Immigrants of

Canada having a common nationality with Canadian citizens).

There is no requirement that the TD dependent be a citizen of Canada or Mexico.

No fee is required for admission of dependents in TD status (except the fee for the I-94) and they are to be

issued multiple entry Forms I-94.

A TD spouse or child is not authorized to accept employment while in the U.S. in such status. Dependents in TD

status may attend school in the U.S. on a full-time basis as such attendance is deemed incident to status.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 148 
SECTION SEVEN 

ENTRY OF NONIMMIGRANT WORKERS 

DURING LABOR DISPUTES 

INA 214(j) 150

Inspectors Field Manual Chapter 15.10 150

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 149
ENTRY OF NONIMMIGRANT WORKERS DURING LABOR DISPUTES 

INA 214(j) Not withstanding any other provision of this Act, an alien who is a citizen of Canada or Mexico who 

seeks to enter the United States under and pursuant to the provisions of Section B, Section C, or Section D of 

Annex 1603 of the North American Free Trade Agreement, shall not be classified as a nonimmigrant under 

such provisions if there is in progress a strike or lockout in the course of a labor dispute in the occupational 

classification at the place or intended place of employment, unless such alien establishes, pursuant to 

regulations promulgated by the Attorney General, that the alien's entry will not affect adversely the settlement of 

the strike or lockout. Notice of a determination under this subsection shall be given as may be required by 

paragraph 3 of article 1603 of such Agreement. For purposes of this subsection, the term "citizen of Mexico" 

means "citizen" as defined in Annex 1608 of such Agreement. 

INSPECTORS FIELD MANUAL

15.10 Entry of Nonimmigrant Workers during Labor Disputes.

(a) General. There are specific regulations governing the admission of nonimmigrant alien workers entering 

during strikes and lockouts involving their employers. In general, an alien who has not yet entered the U.S. 

under an approved I-129 petition or who has not yet entered as a D, E, or TN, is inadmissible once the 

Secretary of Labor has certified to the Attorney General that a strike is in progress. An alien who has already 

commenced employment may participate in a strike (if not engaging in unlawful conduct) without jeopardizing 

his or her status [Specific regulations governing admission of nonimmigrants during strikes are contained in 

relevant subsections of 8 CFR 214.2]. 

(b) Labor Disputes Involving NAFTA Nonimmigrants. Article 1603(2) of NAFTA establishes a safeguard for 

the domestic labor force in each NAFTA country. This provision permits each party to NAFTA to refuse 

issuance of an immigration document to a NAFTA business person whose temporary entry may affect adversely 

the settlement of any labor dispute in progress at the place or intended place of employment, or if temporary 

entry would affect adversely the employment of any person involved in such dispute. This provision may also 

be invoked with respect to a NAFTA business person seeking entry as a treaty trader, treaty investor, 

intracompany transferee, or professional, whose activities in the U.S. require an employment authorization. If a 

petition has already been approved, but the alien has not yet entered the U.S., or has entered the U.S. but not 

yet started employment, the approval of the petition may be revoked [See §214(j) of the Act, and 8 CFR 

214.2(e), (l), and 214.6]. 

Only if the Secretary of Labor certifies to or otherwise informs the Commissioner that a strike or other labor 

dispute involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress can adverse action (admission in a NAFTA category 

or approval of a petition) under this provision be initiated. 

After the inspecting official determines if the temporary entry of the applicant may adversely affect the 

settlement of any labor dispute or the employment of any person who is involved in such a dispute, the applicant 

must be advised in writing of the reason(s) for the refusal. This can be the routine INS notice of refusal at the 

port-of-entry. 

In addition, written notification must be provided to the NAFTA country of which the business person is a citizen. 

The following steps should be taken at the port-of-entry or service center: 

Notify Headquarters Adjudications, Business and Trade Services Branch, in writing (fax to (202) 514-0198) of 

the refusal. Include the following information: 

- Name and address, if known, of the business person; 

- Citizenship of the business person; 

- Date and place of refusal of document authorizing employment (I-94); 

- Name and address of prospective employer; 

- Position to be occupied; 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 150 
- Requested duration of stay; 

- Reasons for refusal; 

- Reference specific statutory or regulatory authority for refusal (if applicable); and 

- Statement indicating that the business person was informed in writing of the refusal and the reasons for 

the refusal. 

Headquarters will notify the appropriate government officials whose citizen was refused an employment 

authorization document pursuant to this NAFTA provision. 

Where a principal alien is refused classification under NAFTA, the dependent family members are not 

classifiable as dependents. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 151 
SECTION EIGHT

NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLES

Cable 001

Cable 002

Cable 003

Cable 004

Cable 005

Cable 006

Cable 007

Cable 008

Cable 009

Cable 010

Cable 011

153 

155 

157 

158 

159 

163 

164 

165 

166 

166 

167 

Instructions on Processing Foreign Health Care Workers 169

Temporary Admission of Health Care Workers 171

Federal Register Interim Rule on Health Care Workers 173

October 20, 1999 Update On Temporary Admission of

Foreign Health Care Workers 183

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 152 
HQ 1815-C. THIS IS NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 001 

CONGRESS PASSED THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN

FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA). CHAPTER 16 OF THE AGREEMENT

ADDRESSES THE MOVEMENT OF BUSINESS PERSONS AMONG CANADA, MEXICO,

AND THE UNITED STATES. WHILE THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT YET SIGNED THE

ENROLLED BILL, THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE AGREEMENT

IS STILL PROJECTED TO BE JANUARY 1, 1994.

AS IN THE U.S. -CANADA FTA, CHAPTER 16 OF THE NAFTA AGREEMENT COVERS

EXCLUSIVELY FOUR NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATIONS: B-1, TEMPORARY VISITORS

FOR BUSINESS; E, TREATY TRADER AND INVESTOR; L, INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE; AND THE

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESSPERSON. CHAPTER 16 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE

AGREEMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH EXISTING SECTION 101(A)(15)(B) OF THE IMMIGRATION AND

NATIONALITY ACT AS AMENDED. WHILE CANADIAN CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE

EXEMPTION TO VISA ISSUANCE, MEXICAN CITIZENS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VALID

B-1 VISA OR A BORDER CROSSING-CARD.

E VISA CLASSIFICATION. TRADERS AND INVESTORS: THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE

AGREEMENT EXTENDS THE PRIVILEGE OF THE E VISA CLASSIFICATION UNDER 101(A) (15) (E) TO

CITIZENS OF MEXICO AND CANADA. TITLE 8, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 212.1(L) WILL

BE MODIFIED TO REFLECT THAT AN ALIEN SEEKING ADMISSION AS A TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR

UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 16 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

(NAFTA) PURSUANT TO SECTION 101 (A) (15) (E) OF THE ACT, SHALL BE IN POSSESSION OF A

NONIMMIGRANT VISA ISSUED BY AN AMERICAN CONSULAR OFFICER CLASSIFYING THE ALIEN

UNDER THAT SECTION.

THE TREATMENT OF WOULD-BE L-1 APPLICANTS WILL REMAIN VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS CURRENT

PRACTICE, MEANING THAT THE PETITION REQUIREMENT AND RELATED REQUIREMENTS REMAIN

AND THAT MEXICAN CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE TO NEED VISAS IN ORDER TO ENTER THE UNITED

STATES. SOME PROCEDURAL CHANGES REGARDING TITLE 8, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

PART 214.2(L)(17) ARE BEING CONTEMPLATED REGARDING THE FILING OF INDIVIDUAL PETITIONS BY

CANADIAN CITIZENS AT CLASS A PORTS OF ENTRY.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE CHANGES FROM CURRENT PRACTICE IN THE TREATMENT OF

PROFESSIONAL PERSONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT. THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION PROVIDES

THAT THIS ADMISSION CLASS IS CONSIDERED TO BE A REGULAR ADMISSION CLASS UNDER

SECTION 101 (A) (15) INA.

SCHEDULE 2 OF THE CANADIAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE

NAFTA AGREEMENT AND IS SET FORTH IN APPENDIX 1603.D.l. THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

NOW PROVIDES FOR DERIVATIVES AND THUS DEPENDENTS WILL NOT HAVE TO SEEK B-2

STATUS.THERE WILL BE A NEW NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION SOLELY ADDRESSING THE

DEPENDENTS OF PROFESSIONALS.

WHILE NO CURRENT LIMITATION EXISTS OR IS PROPOSED FOR CANADIAN CITIZENS ENTERING AS

PROFESSIONALS, THERE IS AN ANNUAL CEILING OF FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (5,500)

PROVIDED FOR MEXICAN CITIZENS SEEKING ADMISSION AS PROFESSIONALS UNDER THE NAFTA

AGREEMENT DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE AGREEMENT. MEXICAN CITIZENS SEEKING STATUS

AS PROFESSIONALS WILL BE GOVERNED BY SIMILAR PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS As H-1A AND H1B NONIMMIGRANTS.THIS MEANS THAT PRIOR TO SEEKING ENTRY,THE MEXICAN CITIZEN WILL NOT

ONLY HAVE TO OBTAIN A VALID NONIMMIGRANT VISA CLASSIFYING SAID MEXICAN CITIZEN AS A

PROFESSIONAL PERSON BUT ALSO THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYER WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN A LABOR

CONDITION STATEMENT AND THEN SUBMIT A FORM I-129 TO THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE CENTER

REQUESTING THAT THE PERSON BE CLASSIFIED AS A PROFESSIONAL FOR THE PURPOSES OF

OBTAINING A NONIMMIGRANT VISA. THUS, UNLIKE THE TREATMENT OF CANADIAN PROFESSIONALS,

THERE WILL BE NO FEE COLLECTED FROM MEXICAN PROFESSIONALS AT THE TIME OF THEIR

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION.

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 153 
OTHER CHANGES PROVIDED FOR ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF THE ADMISSION OF TREATY 

TRADERS AND INVESTORS, INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES, AND PROFESSIONAL PERSONS 

DURING THE PERIOD THAT THERE IS A STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE IN PROCESS AND OTHER 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION, PUBLIC NOTICES, AND DISPUTE 

SETTLEMENT. IF THE APPLICANT SEEKING STATUS AS A TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR, 

INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE, OR PROFESSIONAL PERSON IS DENIED ENTRY BECAUSE OF THIS 

PROVISION RELATING TO STRIKES OR OTHER LABOR DIFFICULTIES, THE PERSON AFFECTED MUST 

BE INFORMED OF THE REASONS FOR THE REFUSAL, AND A COPY OF THE REFUSAL MUST BE 

FORWARDED TO THE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE. DETAILED POLICY REGARDING THE ENTIRE NAFTA 

IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING AS WILL TRAINING PACKAGES FOR FIELD OFFICES AND 

RELEASES FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ASK IMMIGRATION. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE 

ADDRESSED TO HQADN/NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH.CHAPTER 16 WILL BE PROVIDED 

UNDER SEPARATE COVER. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 154 
HQ 1815-C. THIS IS NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 002. 

ON DECEMBER 8, 1993, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE 

AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT. ON JANUARY 1, 1994, THE UNITED STATES-CANADA 

FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WILL BE SUBSUMED INTO THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE 

AGREEMENT (NAFTA). CHAPTER 16 OF THE AGREEMENT ADDRESSES THE MOVEMENT OF 

BUSINESS PERSONS AMONG CANADA, MEXICO, AND THE UNITED STATES. 

GENERAL NAFTA INFORMATION: 

IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH ARTICLE 1604 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREETRADE AGREEMENT 

REGARDING THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, REVISED AND EXPANDED. FORM M-316 IS 

BEING NAFTA-RELATED INFORMATION IS BEING PREPARED FOR THE ASK IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. 

OTHER AGENCIES HAVE EITHER PREPARED MATERIALS OR, WILL BE PREPARING MATERIALS, 

PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE NOW FROM OTHER AGENCIES ARE CUSTOMS PUBLICATION NO.571 

ENTITLED THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: A GUIDE TO CUSTOMS 

PROCEDURES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE AT $3.50 PER COPY, 

AND A BROCHURE ENTITLED EXPORTS MEXICO AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF 

COMMERCE. THERE ARE VARIOUS TELEPHONE NUMBERS THAT AN.INQUIRER MAY CONTACT FOR 

INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NORTH 

AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS A TELEPHONE 

NUMBER THAT AN INQUIRER MAY CALL FOR INFORMATION REGARDING GENERAL INFORMATION 

AND SIDE AGREEMENTS ON AGRICULTURE - (202) 720-1336. THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS 

SERVICE HAS QUOTE FLASH FACTS UNQUOTE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR INFORMATION 

REGARDING THE TARIFF SCHEDULE- (202) 927-1692, AND A HELP DESK NUMBER FOR IMPORTANT 

INFORMATION - (202) 927-0066. THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT HAS THREE NUMBERS TO BE 

CONTACTED DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE INFORMATION REQUESTED, 1-800-USATRADE, 

HOW TO EXPORT TO MEXICO; (202) 482-4464, A QUOTE MEXICO FLASH FACTS TELEPHONE 

NUMBER; AND (202) 482-3101, A QUOTE CANADA FLASH FACTS TELEPHONE NUMBER. VARIOUS 

PAMPHLETS ARE ALSO BEING PREPARED FOR DISTRIBUTION. SERVICE OFFICES RECEIVING 

INQUIRIES REGARDING OTHER PROVISIONS OUTSIDE OF CHAPTER 16 SHOULD DIRECT THE 

INQUIRIER TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY AND INFORMATION. 

NAFTA PROFESSIONALS 

THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION FOR CHAPTER 16 OF THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THE 

ADMISSION OF CITIZENS OF CANADA AND MEXICO AS PROFESSIONALS AS UNDER SECTION 101 

(A) (15) OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT. THE DESIGNATION APPROVED TO DENOTE 

THIS NEW CLASS OF ADMISSION IS QUOTE TN UNQUOTE FOR TRADE NAFTA. EFFECTIVE 

JANUARY 1, 1994, ANY CANADIAN CITIZEN ADMITTED AS A NAFTA PROFESSIONAL AT ANY PORT 

OF ENTRY IS TO BE ASSIGNED THIS CLASSIFICATION. A CITIZEN OF MEXICO WILL REQUIRE THE 

ISSUANCE OF A NONIMMIGRANT VISA CLASSIFYING SAID MEXICAN CITIZEN AS A TN. EACH 

NONIMMIGRANT ALIEN FROM CANADA OR MEXICO ADMITTED AS A TN WILL REQUIRE A 

COMPLETELY EXECUTED FORM 1-94 WHICH MUST BE ENDORSED TO SHOW THE DATE AND 

PLACE OF ADMISSI0N AND THE PERIOD OF ADMISSION. ON THE BACK OF THE FORM I-94, BLOCK 

18 RELATING TO OCCUPATION MUST BE COMPLETED AND THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYER MUST 

BE NOTATED ON THE REVERSE OF BOTH THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FORMS I-94, AND THE 

FORM 1-94 MUST BE ENDORSED TO SHOW "MULTIPLE ENTRY." TITLE 8, CODE OF FEDERAL 

REGULATIONS PART 235.1(F) IS BEING REVISED TO REQUIRE THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN 

ORDER THAT THE SERVICE COMPLY WITH THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT. 

A CANADIAN CITIZEN PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED AS A QUOTE TC UNQUOTE PROFESSIONAL UNDER 

THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED STATES-CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WHOSE 

AUTHORIZED PERIOD OF ADMISSION HAS NOT EXPIRED AND WHO IS CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN 

VALID NONIMMIGRANT STATUS MAY REMAIN IN TIHE UNITED STATES UNTIL THE AUTHORIZED 

PERIOD OF ADMISSION EXPIRES AND THEREAFTER MAY SEEK STATUS AS TN, THROUGH A 

REQUEST FOR READMISSION OR A REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF STAY. THE DEPENDENTS OF 

THE CANADIAN CITIZEN MAY ALSO REMAIN SO LONG AS THE PRINCIPAL ALIEN REMAINS IN VALID 

STATUS. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 155 
 REQUEST FOR EXTENSION 

AT THE TIME THE PRINCIPAL ALIEN SUBMITS THE REQUEST ON FORM I-129 FOR STATUS AS A TN, 

THE DEPENDENTS WILL NEED TO SUBMIT THEIR OWN FORM 1-539 TO BE CLASSIFIED AS THE 

DEPENDENTS OF A NAFTA PROFESSIONAL. 

REQUEST FOR READMISSION 

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT THE CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL DEPART FROM THE UNITED 

STATES BUT SHOULD THE PROFESSIONAL DEPART, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR SAID PERSON 

TO BE GRANTED TN STATUS ON A NEW APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION. 

MEXICAN CITIZENS AND THE NAFTA AGREEMENT 

A CITIZEN OF MEXICO WILL REQUIRE A VALID, UNEXPIRED NONIMMIGRANT VISA FOR EACH 

NONIMMIGRANT CATEGORY PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE AUSPICES OF CHAPTER 16 OF THE 

NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYER OF A 

PROSPECTIVE MEXICAN PROFESSIONAL WILL FIRST NEED TO OBTAIN THE APPROPRIATE LABOR 

ATTESTATION IF THE POSITION IS FOR THAT OF A REGISTERED NURSE OR LABOR CONDITION 

APPLICATION IF THE POSITION IS FOR ANY OTHER SPECIALTY OCCUPATION AND THEN SUBMIT 

FORM 1-129 TO THE DESIGNATED SERVICE CENTER. THE SERVICE CENTER WILL NOTIFY THE 

PETITIONER OF THE APPROVAL OF THE PETITION ON FORM I-797. ANNEX 1603 TO CHAPTER 16 

OF THE NAFTA AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR A LIMITATION OF 5,500 MEXICAN CITIZENS WHO MAY 

BE ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES AS NAFTA PROFESSIONALS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS 

5,500 CEILING, THE SERVICE CENTERS WILL COUNT THE NUMBER OF INITIAL PETITIONS FILED IN 

BEHALF OF MEXICAN TN PROFESSIONALS.PETITIONS FOR EXTENSION, CHANGE/ADDITION OF 

EMPLOYERS, AND AMENDED PETITIONS WILL NOT BE COUNTED FOR THIS PURPOSE. 

ADDITIONAL NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION INFORMATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING. QUESTIONS MAY 

BE DIRECTED TO HQ ADJUDICATIONS, NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 156 
HQ 1815-C. THIS IS NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 003. 

PUBLIC LAW 103-182 IMPLEMENTS THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, WHICH WILL 

BECOME EFFECTIVE ON J ANUARY 1, 1994. UNDER CHAPTER 16 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE 

TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA), AN IMPORTANT SAFEGUARD FOR THE DOMESTIC LABOR FORCE 

WAS PROVIDED WHICH PERMITS EACH NAFTA COUNTRY TO REFUSE TO ISSUE AN IMMIGRATION 

DOCUMENT AUTHORIZING EMPLOYMENT WHERE THE TEMPORARY ENTRY OF A BUSINESS 

PERSON MIGHT AFFECT ADVERSELY THE SETTLEMENT OF A LABOR DISPUTE OR THE 

EMPLOYMENT OF A PERSON INVOLVED IN SUCH A DISPUTE ARTICLE 1603(2) THUS SPECIFICALLY 

ALLOWS THE UNITED STATES TO DENY TEMPORARY ENTRY TO A NAFTA INTRACOMPANY 

TRANSFEREE (L-1), TRADER OR INVESTOR (E-1 OR E-2), OR PROFESSIONAL (TN), WHOSE 

ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES REQUIRE EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, IF ADMISSION MIGHT 

INTERFERE WITH AN ONGOING LABOR DISPUTE. NAFTA FURTHER PROVIDES THAT IF ARTICLE 

1603(2) IS INVOKED, THE BUSINESS PERSON MUST BE INFORMED IN WRITING OF THE REASON 

FOR THE REFUSAL, AND THE COUNTRY WHOSE BUSINESS PERSON IS AFFECTED MUST BE 

NOTIFIED. PENDING A REVISION OF THE OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS, THE VEHICLE TO BE USED 

FOR NOTIFYING THE BUSINESS PERSON WILL BE FORM I-160A ON THE NORTHERN BORDER, AND 

FORM I-180 ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER. A COPY OF THE COMPLETED FORMS I-160A OR I-180 WILL 

BE FAXED TO HEADQUARTERS, EXAMINATIONS BRANCH, ATTENTION: JACQUELYN BEDNARZ, 

CHIEF, NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH, WHO WILL TAKE ACTION TO NOTIFY 

THE APPROPRIATE COUNTRY. HEADQUARTERS WILL NOTIFY ALL FIELD OFFICES BY CABLE OF 

ANY INSTANCE IN WHICH THE SECRETARY OF LABOR CERTIFIES TO THE COMMISSIONER THAT 

THERE IS A STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE INVOLVING A WORK STOPPAGE WHERE THE 

ENTRY OF A NAFTA E, L, OR, OR TN MAY HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 157 
HQ 1815-C. THIS IS NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 004. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1, 1994. 

CHAPTER 16 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT ADDRESSES THE TEMPORARY 

ENTRY OF BUSINESS PERSONS. UNDER NAFTA, BOTH A MEXICAN CITIZEN AND A CANADIAN 

CITIZEN MAY SEEK ADMISSION AS PROFESSIONAL PERSONS. THE CLASSIFICATION SYMBOL "TN" 

(TRADE NAFTA) HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR THIS NAFTA TEMPORARY ENTRY CATEGORY. A 

CANADIAN CITIZEN MAY SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR STATUS AS A "TN" UNQUOTE AT A CLASS A 

PORT OF ENTRY. A MEXICAN CITIZEN MUST FIRST SECURE AN APPROVED PETITION SUPPORTED 

BY THE REQUIRED LABOR ATTESTATION OR LABOR CONDITION STATEMENT AND THEN MUST 

OBTAIN A VALID NONIMMIGRANT VISA ACCORDING STATUS AS A "TN" THE PETITION ON BEHALF OF 

THE MEXICAN CITIZEN MUST BE FILED WITH THE NORTHERN SERVICE CENTER IN LINCOLN, 

NEBRASKA. UNDER NAFTA, A MEXICAN CITIZEN AND A CANADIAN CITIZEN MAY ALSO REQUEST A 

CHANGE OF NONIMMIGRANT STATUS TO THAT OF "TN". IF THE MEXICAN OR CANADIAN CITIZEN 

ARE IN STATUS IN ANOTHER NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION, A FORM I-129 MAY BE FORWARDED 

TO THE NORTHERN SERVICE CENTER IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA REQUESTING THAT A CHANGE OF 

NONIMMIGRANT STATUS BE GRANTED. ANY REQUESTS FOR EXTENSION OF "TN" STATUS MUST 

ALSO BE SUBMITTED TO THE NORTHERN SERVICE CENTER IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA. ANY INQUIRER 

SEEKING INFORMATION REGARDING WHERE TO SUBMIT THE REQUEST FOR STATUS AS A 

PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO FILE WITH THE NORTHERN SERVICE CENTER. 

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE FORM I-129 HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE OFFICE OF 

MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (OMB) FOR CLEARANCE FOR PUBLIC USE. THESE ADDITIONAL 

INSTRUCTIONS ADDRESS THE USE OF THE FORM FOR NAFTA CATEGORIES OF TEMPORARY 

ENTRY. THEY WILL BE PRINTED AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SHORTLY. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 158 
HQ 1815-P. THIS IS NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 005. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY

1, 1994. CHAPTER 16 OF THE TEMPORARY ENTRY OF BUSINESS PERSONS. REGULATIONS AND

OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO FORMS 1-539 AND FORM 1-129 ARE BEING

REVISED TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN IMPLEMENTING THE

PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 16 AND THE NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION ACT. PENDING PROMULGATION

OF THE REGULATIONS AND RECEIPT OF THOSE INSTRUCTIONS, THIS IS TO SERVE AS A POLICY TO

BE ADHERED TO BY ALL SERVICE PERSONNEL IN IMPLEMENTING NAFTA.

A COPY OF CHAPTER 16 WAS SENT TO ALL FIELD OFFICES UNDER SEPARATE COVER, DATED

DECEMBER 8, 1993.CHAPTER 16 COVERS FOUR CATEGORIES OF TEMPORARY ENTRY: THE

BUSINESS VISITOR, B-1; THE TRADER AND INVESTOR, E-1 AND E-2; THE INTRACOMPANY

TRANSFEREE, L-1; AND THE NAFTA PROFESSIONAL, TN. VISITORS FOR BUSINESS, B-1: CHAPTER

16, ANNEX, 1603 OF THE NAFTA PROVIDES FOR THE ADMISSION OF CITIZENS OF CANADA OR

MEXICO AS VISITORS FOR BUSINESS. THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTARY CHANGES AND NO CHANGES

IN THE DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES A VISITOR FOR BUSINESS, "B-1". A CITIZEN OF CANADA

IS NOT REQUIRED TO PRESENT A NONIMMIGRANT VISA FOR ADMISSION AS A B-1 BUT MUST

ESTABLISH CITIZENSHIP TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE INSPECTING OFFICER. A CITIZEN OF

MEXICO MUST PRESENT A PASSPORT AND EITHER A NONIMMIGRANT VISA OR A BORDER

CROSSING, CARD. BOTH CANADIAN AND MEXICAN CITIZENS MUST ESTABLISH THAT THEY ARE

ADMISSIBLE UNDER THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.

BOTH CANADIAN AND MEXICAN CITIZENS MUST ESTABLISH THAT THEY QUALIFY AS A VISITOR FOR

BUSINESS BY REASON OF HAVING PROVIDED EVIDENCE GENERALLY REQUIRED OF ANY BUSINESS

VISITOR UNDER SECTION 101 (SMALL A) (15) (13) INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE SOURCE

OF REMUNERATION, A DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSE OF ENTRY, AND EVIDENCE

DEMONSTRATING THAT HE OR SHE IS ENGAGED IN ONE OF THE OCCUPATIONS OR PROFESSIONS

SET FORTH IN APPENDIX 1603.A.1 OF CHAPTER 16 OR IF NOT SEEKING ADMISSION FOR THE

PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN ONE OF THE OCCUPATIONS OR PROFESSIONS SET FORTH IN

APPENDIX 1603.A.1, THAT SAID PERSON IS OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER AS A VISITOR FOR

BUSINESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERAL B-1 PROVISIONS. TRADERS AND INVESTOR, E-1 AND

E-2: COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 1994, A MEXICAN CITIZEN WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME BE ELIGIBLE TO

SEEK THE ISSUANCE OF A NONIMMIGRANT VISA TO CLASSIFY HIM OR HER AS A TREATY TRADER

OR INVESTOR. A CANADIAN CITIZEN WAS PREVIOUSLY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ISSUANCE OF A

NONIMMIGRANT VISA TO CLASSIFY HIM OR HER AS A TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR UNDER THE

PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC LAW 100-449 IMPLEMENTING THE UNITED STATES-CANADA FREE TRADE

AGREEMENT. BOTH A CANADIAN CITIZEN AND A MEXICAN CITIZEN MUST PRESENT A VALID,

UNEXPIRED NONIMMIGRANT VISA INDICATING CLASSIFICATION AS A TREATY TRADER OR

INVESTOR AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION AS PROVIDED IN TITLE 8, CODE OF

FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 212.l. A CANADIAN CITIZEN WHO OBTAINS A CHANGE OF

NONIMMIGRANT STATUS TO THAT OF A TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR MUST BE IN POSSESSION

OF A VALID NONIMMIGRANT VISA IN ORDER TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES FROM ANY FOREIGN

TERRITORY IF STILL SEEKING ADMISSION AS A TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR AS PRESCRIBED IN

CURRENT OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS PART 248.8.

IF THE SECRETARY OF LABOR HAS CERTIFIED TO, OR OTHERWISE INFORMED, THE

COMMISSIONER THAT THERE IS A STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE INVOLVING A WORK

STOPPAGE OF WORKERS WHERE THE ALIEN INTENDS TO BE EMPLOYED, AND THE INSPECTING

OFFICER BELIEVES THAT THE TEMPORARY ENTRY OF THAT ALIEN MAY AFFECT ADVERSELY

EITHER THE SETTLEMENT OF SUCH LABOR DISPUTE OR THE EMPLOYMENT OF A PERSON

INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE, SAID ALIEN IS TO BE REFUSED ADMISSION. SEE NAFTA

IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 003 FOR PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES.

INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE, L-1:

THERE IS NO SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE REGARDING THE CLASSIFICATION OR ADMISSION OF

INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES UNDER CHAPTER 16 OF THE NAFTA. A CANADIAN CITIZEN SEEKING

STATUS AS A QUOTE L-1 UNQUOTE MAY EITHER SUBMIT THE REQUIRED PETITION TO THE

SERVICE CENTER HAVING JURISDICTION OVER THE INTENDED PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT OR AT A

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 159 
PRESCRIBED CLASS A PORT OF ENTRY. PENDING THE PUBLICATION OF THE REVISED

REGULATIONS AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, ANY CLASS A PORT

OF ENTRY ENCOUNTERING A CANADIAN CITIZEN SEEKING TO SUBMIT A FORM 1-129 AT THE PORT

OF ENTRY SHOULD ADJUDICATE THE PETITION. THE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENT SPECIFIED IN

TITLE 8, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 214.2 (L) (3) THAT THE BENEFICIARY PREVIOUSLY

HAVE PERFORMED SERVICES FOR EMPLOYER OR A SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE THE SAME

THEREOF IN A MANAGERIAL, EXECUTIVE, OR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE CAPACITY FOR A

FOREIGN PARENT, BRANCH, SUBSIDIARY, OR AFFILIATE OF THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYER FOR

ONE OUT OF THE PRECEDING THREE YEARS CONTINUES IN EFFECT AND THE RELATED

REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN THE REGULATIONS AND IN THE INSTRUCTIONS TO FORM 1-129

MUST STILL BE ADHERED TO.

IF THERE IS A STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE IN PROGRESS AT THE PLACE OF INTENDED

EMPLOYMENT AND THE SECRETARY OF LABOR HAS CERTIFIED TO, OR OTHERWISE INFORMED,

THE COMMISSIONER THAT THERE IS A STRIKE, A DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE AS TO

WHETHER THE ADMISSION OF THE PARTICULAR INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE APPLICANT MAY

AFFECT

ADVERSELY EITHER THE LABOR DISPUTE ITSELF OR THE EMPLOYMENT OF A PERSON INVOLVED

IN THE DISPUTE. IF CERTIFICATION OR OTHER DEPARTMENT OF LABOR INFORMATION OF THE

EXISTENCE OF A STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE HAS BEEN PROVIDED AND THE ADMISSION OF

THE APPLICANT IS BELIEVED TO AFFECT ADVERSELY EITHER OF THE ABOVE, THE APPLICANT

SHALL BE REFUSED ADMISSION AND APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATION REGARDING THE REFUSAL IS

TO BE PROVIDED TO HQADN.

PROFESSIONALS, TN:

A. GENERAL: THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION FOR NAFTA PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF A

NEW NONIMMIGRANT CLASS, THE "TN" FOR CERTAIN CANADIAN AND MEXICAN CITIZEN

PROFESSIONALS. THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF A

SEPARATE NONIMMIGRANT CLASS FOR THE SPOUSES AND UNMARRIED MINOR CHILDREN OF

PROFESSIONALS, THE "TD". BOTH CANADIAN CITIZENS AND MEXICAN CITIZENS WILL BE ELIGIBLE

TO SEEK ADMISSION AS NAFTA PROFESSIONALS SCHEDULE 2 OF THE UNITED STATES-CANADA

FREE TRADE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE NAFTA AGREEMENT AND IS SET

FORTH IN APPENDIX 1603.D.1 OF CHAPTER 16.

B. CANADIAN CITIZEN REQUESTS FOR TN CLASSIFICATION:

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1994, A CANADIAN CITIZEN SEEKING ADMISSION AS A PROFESSIONAL AT A

PORT OF ENTRY WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS A "TN". APPLICATION MAY BE MADE AT ANY CLASS A

PORT OF ENTRY, A UNITED STATES AIRPORT HANDLING INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC, OR A

PRE-CLEARANCE STATION. THE INSPECTING OFFICER SHALL, AFTER DETERMINING CANADIAN

CITIZENSHIP, REVIEW ANY LETTERS AND OTHER EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT TO

DETERMINE WHETHER THE APPLICANT QUALIFIES AS A PROFESSIONAL AND THAT THE APPLICANT

IS COMING TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE CAPACITY OF A PROFESSIONAL. IF A DETERMINATION IS

MADE THAT THE APPLICANT WILL BE SO EMPLOYED, THE PROCEDURES IN THE UNITED

STATES-CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT FOR THE ADMISSION OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS

AS 'TC" SHALL BE FOLLOWED. A CANADIAN CITIZEN ADMITTED AS A "TC" PRIOR TO JANUARY 1.

1994 MAY REMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES SO LONG AS HE OR SHE IS MAINTAINING STATUS UNTIL

THE AUTHORIZED PERIOD OF ADMISSION EXPIRES. WHEN A REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF

TEMPORARY STAY IS FILED BEFORE THE SERVICE, THE APPLICANT'S STATUS IS TO BE

AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTED TO THAT OF A TN PROFESSIONAL AS I PART OF THE ADJUDICATION

PROCESS WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL FEE. AS STATED IN THE STATEMENT OF

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TO THE LEGISLATION IMPLEMENTING NAFTA, CHAPTER 16,

SELF-EMPLOYMENT IS SPECIFICALLY PRECLUDED FOR THE "TN" CLASSIFICATION. EFFECTIVE

JANUARY 1, 1994, SUCH PROFESSIONALS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE IN

SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN THIS COUNTRY. IF THE APPLICANT IS A SELF-EMPLOYED PROFESSIONAL,

THE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION IS TO BE DENIED AND THE APPLICANT IS TO BE GRANTED 30 DAYS

TO VOLUNTARILY DEPART FROM THE UNITED STATES AND THE APPLICANT IS TO BE ADVISED

THAT OTHER NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATIONS MAY BE SUITABLE TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT

AND DIRECTION OF A BUSINESS INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. IF THE CANADIAN CITIZEN

PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED AS A PROFESSIONAL UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED

STATES--CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT PROCEEDS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES PRIOR TO

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 160 
THE EXPIRATION OF THE AUTHORIZED PERIOD OF ADMISSION, AND THEREAFTER SAID CANADIAN 

CITIZEN SEEKS READMISSION TO THE UNITED STATES, THE CANADIAN CITIZEN IS TO BE 

QUESTIONED REGARDING HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT AND MUST PRESENT AN UNEXPIRED FORM 

1-94 OR AN 1-797 OR OTHER ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE REFLECTING THE GRANTING OF AN 

APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY STAY. IF THE APPLICANT FOR READMISSION IS 

CONTINUING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR WHICH HE OR SHE WAS LAST 

AUTHORIZED TO RENDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, SUCH PROFESSIONALS SHALL BE REQUIRED 

TO SURRENDER THEIR OLD FORM 1-94 INDICATING ADMISSION IN TC CLASSIFICATION. UPON 

SURRENDER OF THE OLD FORM 1-94, SUCH PROFESSIONAL WILL BE ISSUED A NEW FORM 1-94 

BEARING THE LEGEND "MULTIPLE ENTRY" AND INDICATING THAT HE OR SHE HAS BEEN 

READMITTED IN "TN" CLASSIFICATION. THE OLD FORM 1-94 CLASSIFYING THE APPLICANT AS A TC 

IS TO BE LIFTED AND A NEW FORM 1-94 CLASSIFYING THE APPLICANT AS A TN IS TO BE ISSUED. 

THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF THE NEWLY ISSUED FORM 1-94 IS TO CORRESPOND TO THE SAME DATE 

AS THAT ON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT WITHOUT THE COLLECTION OF A NEW FEE. IF THE 

CANADIAN CITIZEN IS NO LONGER IN POSSESSION OF THE FORM 1-94 PREVIOUSLY ISSUED 

GRANTING SAID CANADIAN CITIZEN PROFESSIONAL "TC" STATUS AND THE PERIOD OF INITIAL 

ADMISSION HAS NOT LAPSED, HE OR SHE SHALL PRESENT SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE EVIDENCE 

THEREOF. IF, DURING THE INSPECTION PROCESS, THE INSPECTING OFFICER FINDS THAT THE 

APPLICANT IS A SELF-EMPLOYED PROFESSIONAL, THE FORM 1-94 IS TO BE LIFTED AND THE 

APPLICANT IS TO BE ADMITTED AS A VISITOR FOR BUSINESS FOR SUFFICIENT TIME TO SETTLE HIS 

AFFAIRS AND DEPART FROM THE UNITED STATES OR TO SEEK A CHANGE OF STATUS TO A 

SUITABLE NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION. 

C. MEXICAN CITIZENS SEEKING TN CLASSIFICATION: UNDER NAFTA, 

A MEXICAN CITIZEN MAY ALSO SEEK ADMISSION AS A PROFESSIONAL. THE MEXICAN CITIZEN WILL 

REQUIRE THE ISSUANCE OF A NONIMMIGRANT VISA ACCORDING CLASSIFICATION AS A 

PROFESSIONAL. IN ADDITION TO PRESENTING THE PASSPORT CONTAINING A VALID "TN" VISA, THE 

MEXICAN CITIZEN SEEKING ADMISSION MUST ALSO PRESENT A COPY OF THE UNITED STATES 

EMPLOYER'S STATEMENT WHICH ACCOMPANIED THE PETITION FOR TN CLASSIFICATION. PRIOR 

TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE NONIMMIGRANT VISA, THE MEXICAN CITIZEN SEEKING STAI"US AS A 

PROFESSIONAL WILL NEED TO BE THE BENEFICIARY OF AN APPROVED PETITION. PETITIONS 

FILED ON BEHALF OF MEXICAN CITIZENS SEEKING QUOTE TN UNQUOTE STATUS MAY NOT BE 

APPROVED UNLESS PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS HAVE PROPERLY FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT 

OF LABOR AN LCA IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 212(SMALL M) OF THE ACT IN THE CASE OF 

REGISTERED NURSES OR A LABOR ATTESTATION UNDER SECTION 212 (SMALL N) OF THE ACT IN 

THE CASE OF OTHER PROFESSIONALS. . THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYER WILL FORWARD FORM 

1-129 ENTITLED PETITION FOR NONINIMIGRANT WORKER, TO THE NORTHERN SERVICE CENTER IN 

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA WITH THE REQUIRED LABOR ATTESTATION OR LABOR CONDITION 

STATEMENT AND SUCH OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY BE REQUESTED. THE MEXICAN CITIZEN 

SEEKING STATUS AS A PROFESSIONAL THUS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE HAD ALL 

DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED PRIOR TO HIS OR HER ARRIVAL AT ANY PORT OF ENTRY. 

D. EFFECT OF A STRIKE ON TN CLASSIFICATION:

IF THE SECRETARY OF LABOR HAS CERTIFIED TO OR OTHERWISEINFORMED THE COMMISSIONER

THAT THERE IS A STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE IN PROGRESS AT THE SITE OF THE INTENDED

UNITED STATES EMPLOYER, A DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE

ADMISSION OF TH E APPLICANT MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT EITHER THE SETTLEMENT OF THE

STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE OR.THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY EMPLOYEE PRESENTLY

INVOLVED IN THE DISPUTE. IF A DETERMINATION IS MADE THAT THE ADMISSION OF THE

APPLICANT MAY HAVE SUCH AN EFFECT, THE APPLICANT IS TO BE REFUSED ADMISSION AND

APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATION TO HEADQUARTERS, EXAMINATIONS BRANCH, MUST BE PROVIDED.

SEE NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 003.

E. ADMISSION PROCEDURES FOR BOTH CANADIAN AND MEXICAN TN PROFESSIONALS:

WHEN A DETERMINATION IS MADE TO ADMIT EITHER THE CANADIAN OR MEXICAN CITIZEN AS A

PROFESSIONAL UNDER NAFTA, FORM 1-94 IS TO BE COMPLETELY EXECUTED AND MUST BE

ENDORSED TO SHOW THE DATE AND PLACE OF ADMISSION AND THE PERIOD OF ADMISSION. IN

ADDITION, BLOCK 18 ON THE BACK OF FORM 1-94 IS TO BE ENDORSED TO SHOW THE SPECIFIC

OCCUPATION AS SET FORTH IN APPENDIX 1603.D.1 OF CHAPTER 16 OF NAFTA, THE NAME OF THE

EMPLOYER MUST BE ENDORSED ON BOTH THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FORMS 1-94, AND THE

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 161 
FORM 1-94 MUST BE ENDORSED TO SHOW "MULTIPLE ENTRY." THE INSPECTING OFFICER IS

REQUIRED TO PLACE THE ABOVE INFORMATION ON FORM 1-94 IN ORDER THAT INS COMPLY WITH

THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER NAFTA.

DEPENDENTS OF NAFTA TEMPORARY ENTRANTS:

THE DEPENDENTS OF A VISITOR FOR BUSINESS, A TREATY TRADER OR INVESTOR, AN

INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE, AND A PROFESSIONAL ARE NOT AUTHORIZED EMPLOYMENT BY

VIRTUE OF THEIR DEPENDENT STATUS- IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE DEPENDENTS TO QUALIFY

FOR ADMISSION IN A WORK-AUTHORIZED NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.

IF THE DEPENDENT WAS PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES AS A VISITOR FOR 

PLEASURE AS THE DEPENDENT OF A "TC" PROFESSIONAL UNDER THE UNITED STATES CANADA 

FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, THAT DEPENDENT MAY BE READMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES 

WITHOUT A VISA FOLLOWING A SHORT ABSENCE AS A "TD" IF THE DEPENDENT IS EITHER A 

CANADIAN CITIZEN OR FROM A BRITISH COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY HOLDING LANDED STATUS IN 

CANADA, AS LONG AS THE DEPENDENT PROVIDES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO ENABLE THE 

INSPECTING OFFICER TO CONCLUDE THAT THEY ARE EITHER A CANADIAN CITIZEN OR HOLD 

LANDED STATUS IN CANADA FROM A BRITISH COMMONWEALTH COUNTRY AND THE PRINCIPAL 

APPLICANT IS NOT SELF-EMPLOYED IN THE UNITED STATES. 

IF THE PRINCIPAL IS SELF-EMPLOYED, THE DEPENDENTS WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR 

READMISSION FOLLOWING A BRIEF AND CASUAL ABSENCE. IF THE DEPENDENT IS NOT EXEMPT 

FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF PRESENTING A VALID AND UNEXPIRED NONIMMIGRANT VISA, THE 

DEPENDENT MUST EITHER PRESENT A VALID NONIMMIGRANT VISA CLASSIFYING THEM AS A "TD" 

OR ELSE HAVE OBTAINED A CHANGE OF NONIMMIGRANT STATUS TO "TD" AND MEET THE 

REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTOMATIC VISA REVALIDATION. IF ELIGIBLE, THE DEPENDENTS MAY BE 

GRANTED READMISSION AND ISSUED DOCUMENTATION ACCORDING THEM "TD" STATUS UP TO 

THE REMAINING PERIOD OF TIME HELD BY THE PRINCIPAL ALIEN PROFESSIONAL. THE 

DEPENDENTS OF A CANADIAN CITIZEN PROFESSIONAL ADMITTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE 

UNITED STATES-CANADA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WILL HAVE THEIR STATUS AUTOMATICALLY 

CONVERTED FROM "B-2" TO "TD" WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL FEE AS LONG AS THE 

PRINCIPAL ALIEN IS MAINTAINING STATUS AND IS NOT SELF-EMPLOYED. IF THE PRINCIPAL 

CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL ADMITTED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1994 IS SELF-EMPLOYED, THE 

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION SUBMITTED BY THE DEPENDENTS IS TO BE DENIED AS STATUS IS 

DEPENDENT UPON THAT OF THE PRINCIPAL. THE DEPENDENTS ARE TO BE GRANTED THE SAME 

PERIOD OF VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE AS THE PRINCIPAL ALIEN. QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE 

POLICIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO HQADN/NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH AT. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 162 
THIS IS NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 006 

THE SERVICE PUBLISHED AN INTERIM REGULATION CONTROLLING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 

TEMPORATY ENTRY PROCEDURES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) 

ON DECEMBER 30, 1993 (58 FEDERAL REGISTER 69205). PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED 

UNTIL FEBRUARY 29, 1994. THIS INTERIM RULE SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL PRSONNEL 

INVOLVED WITH THE PROCESSING OF IMMIGRATION BENEFITS UNDER NAFTA. NAFTA 

IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 005 DERIVES FROM THE INTERIM RULE. 

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR/WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION PUBLISHED AN INTERIM RULE ON 

DECEMBER 30, 1993 (58 FEDERAL REGISTER 69226) TO IMPLEMENT PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 

APPLICABLE TO THE TEMPORARY ENTRY OF NAFTA PROFESSIONALS FROM MEXICO. BASICALL, 

UNITED STATES EMPLOYES SEEKING TO ENGAGE THE PRORESSIONAL SERVICES OF A MEXICA 

CITIZEN PURSUAT TO CAHPTER 16 OF NAFTA SHALL FOLLOW PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING SECION 

212(n) OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIIONALITY ACT (LABOR CONDITION APPLICATION) AND 

SECTION 212(m) OF THE INA FOR REGISTERED NURSES. 

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE/VISA OFFICE PUBLISHED AN INTERIM RULE ON DECEMBER 28, 1993 (58 

FEDERAL REGISTER 68526) TO IMPLEMENT CHAPTER 16 OF NAFTA. CONSULAR POSTS WILL BE 

AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE TN AND TD VISAS 

QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO HQADN/NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 163 
NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 007 

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CABLE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

REGARDING NAFTFA VISA ISSUANCE: 

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE (DOS) ADVISES THAT POSTS ARE INSTRUCTED TO BEGIN ISSUING 

NAFTA-RELATED NONIMMIGRANT VISAS (NIV) IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: 

1. E-1, E-2, L, AND B-1 NIVS: POSTS WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE NIV FOR TREATY TRADERS AND 

INVESTORS, INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES, AND BUSINESS VISITORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 

EXISTING PROCEDURES. NAFTA LEGISLATION ENABLES MEXICAN CITIZEN TO SEEK CLASSIFICATION 

AS E-1/E-2 FOR THE FIRST TIME. CANADIAN CITIZENS ARE REPEAT ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN AN 

E-1/E-2 NIV FOR ADMISSION TO THE UNITED STATES. 

2. TN PROFESSIONAL NIVS AND TD DEPENDENT NIVS: DOS ADVISES THAT NECESSARY 

SOFTWARE CHANGES WILL NOT BE COMPLETED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS TO ENABLE 

POSTS EQUIPPED TO ISSUED MACHINE READABLE VISAS (MRVS) THE CAPABILITY TO ISSUE TN OR 

TD NIVS. IN THE MEANWHILE, MRV POSTS WILL ISSUE N-8 NIVS TO QUALIFIED MEXICAN OR 

CANADIAN APPLICANTS FOR TN STATUS AND N-9 NIVS TO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SEEKING TO 

CLASSIFICATION. DOS HAS INSTRUCTED MRV POSTS TO ANNOTATE THE N-8 AND N-9 NIVS WITH 

THE FOLLOWING: "ADMIT NAFTA TN BY N-8" OR "ADMIT NAFTA TD BY N-9". N-8 AND N-9 NIVS FOR 

NAFTA APPLICANTS WILL BE ANNOTATED FURTHER WITH THE NAFTA OCCUPATION OF THE TN AND, 

IN THE CASE OF MEXICAN TN APPLICANTS, THE RECEIPT NUMBER OF THE APPROVED PETITION 

FROM THE NORTHERN SERVICE CENTER. NOTE THAT POSTS MAY STILL USE THE N-8 AND N-9 

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR THEIR ORIGINAL PURPOSE TO DESIGNATE DEPENDENTS OF SK SPECIAL 

IMMIGRANTS. INS OFFICERS WILL BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE TWO USES OF THE 

CLASSIFICATIONS BY THE ANNOTATION. DOS FURTHER ADVISES THAT POSTS EQUIPPED TO ISSUE 

BURROUGHS NIVS WILL INSERT THE TN OR TD CLASSIFICATION SYMBOL ON THE NIV AND 

ANNOTATE WITH THE NAFTA OCCUPATION AND, IN THE CASE OF A MEXICAN TN APPLICANT, 

RECEIPT NUMBER OF THE APPROVED PETITION. 

3. FOR YOUR READY REFERENCE, DOS PROVIDED THE NIV ISSUING CAPABILITIES OF POSTS 

LOCATED IN CANADA AND MEXICO. THIS LISTING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE: CANADIAN POSTSMONTREAL AND TORONTO ARE MRV POSTS. VANCOUVER, CALGARY, OTTAWA, QUEBEC, AND 

HALIFAX ARE BURROUGHS POSTS. 

MEXICAN POSTS- MEXICO CITY, HERMOSILLO, TIJUANA, AND CIUDAD JUAREZ ARE MRV POSTS. 

MONTERREY, GUADALAJARA, MATAMOROS, AND MERIDA ARE BURROUGHS POSTS. 

4. POE PROCESSING. ALIENS IN POSSESSION OF N-8 OR N-9 NAFTA ANNOTATED NIVS WHO ARE 

OTHERWISE ADMISSIBLE TO THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE ISSUED FORM 1-94 AS TN OR TD 

RESPECTIVELY. ALIENS IN POSSESSION OF A BURROUGHS TYPE NIV WHO ARE OTHERWISE 

ADMISSIBLE SHALL BE ISSUED FORM I-94 AS TN OR TD AS NOTED ON THE NIV. ON THE REVERSE 

SIDE OF THE 1-94, BLOCK 18 RELATING TO THE OCCUPATION SHALL BE ANNOTATED WITH THE 

NAFTA OCCUPATION OF THE TN AND THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYER MUST BE ANNOTATED ON THE 

REVERSE SIDE OF BOTH THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE PORTION OF THE I94. 

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS INSTRUCTION MAY BE ADDRESSED TO HQADN/NONIMMIGRANT 

BRANCH. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 164 
NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 008. 

SEVERAL QUESTI0NS HAVE BEEN RAISED REGARDING THE CONCEPT OF "SELF EMPLOYMENT" 

ASSOCIATED WITH THE NAFTA PROFESSI0NAL (TN) CLASSTFICATION. HEADQUARTERS 

ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING THIS CONCEPT IN GREATER DETAIL TO 

ENSURE UNIFORM APPLICATION OF THE TN PROVISIONS. HOWEVER, THE TRILATERAL NATURE OF 

THE NAFTA ENTRY PROVISIONS COUPLED WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUE DEMAND 

CONCERTED STUDY BY CANADIAN, MEXICAN, AND UNITED STATES OFFICIALS. 

ARTICLE 1605 OF NAFTA ESTABLISHES A TEMPORARY ENTRY WORKING GROUP COMPRISED OF 

IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS FROM CANADA, MEXICO, AND THE UNITED STATES. THE FIRST MEETING 

OF THIS WORKING GROUP CONVENED IN MARCH 1994 IN WASHINGTON AND THE AGENDA 

INCLUDED THE ISSUE OF "SELF EMPLOYMENT" OF NAFTA PROFESSIONALS CANADA, MEXICO, AND 

THE UNITED STATES HAVE UNDERTAKEN COMMITMENTS TO FACILITATE ENTRY OF BUSINESS 

PERSONS ON A RECIPROCAL BASIS AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 16 

ARE APPLIED BY THE THREE PARTIES ON A RECIPROCAL BASIS UNTIL FINAL RESOLUTION OF THIS 

ISSUE IS REACHED AMONG THE THREE PARTIES AND ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE CAN BE PROVIDED. 

HEADQUARTERS DRAWS CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING: 

1. THE STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ACCOMPANYING THE IMPLEMENTING LEGISLATION

FOR NAFTA CHAPTER 16, PAGE 178 OF THE STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION PROVIDES IN

PERTINENT PART, "SECTION D OF ANNEX 1603, DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A PROFESSIONAL TO

ESTABLISH A BUSINESS OR PRACTICE IN THE UNITED STATES IN WHICH THE PROFESSIONAL WILL

BE SELF-EMPLOYED".

2. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA OPERATIONS MEMORANDUM: CITIZENSHIP AND

IMMIGRATION CANADA INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS FIELD OFFICERS INSTRUCTS THAT THE PURPOSE OF

ENT RY OF NAFTA PROFESSIONALS INTO CANADA MUST BE TO PROVIDE PRE-ARRANGED SERVICES

TO A CANADIAN ENTERPRISE.

3. NAFTA: ANNEX 1603 SECTION B - TRADERS AND INVESTORS: INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY

CITIZENS OF NAFTA PARTIES IS RECOGNIZED IN SECTION B OF ANNEX 1603. THE INS REGULATIONS

REFLECT THAT A CANADIAN OR MEXTCAN CITIZEN SEEKING TO DIRECT AND DEVELOP AN

INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES MAY APPLY FOR CLASSIFICATION AS AN E-2

NONIMMIGRANT.

4. NAFTA: ANNEX 1603 SECTION C - INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES:

THE AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES TO CARRY OUT THE INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE

COMMITMENTS IN ANNEX 1603 IS FOUND IN EXISTING STATUTE AND REGULATION CONTROLLING

THE L NONIMMIGRANT CLASSIFICATION, THE REGULATIONS AT 8 CFR 214.2 (SMALL L) SET FORTH

THE REQUIREMENTS TO ESTABLISH A NEW OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES. A CANADIAN OR

MEXICAN CITIZEN WHO QUALIFIES FOR L CLASSIFICATION UNDER THESE REGULATIONS MAY BE

ADMISSIBLE TO OPEN A NEW BUSINESS. NONE OF THE ABOVE REFERENCES PRECLUDES A CITIZEN

OF CANADA OR MEXICO WHO IS SELF-EMPLOYED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES FROM SEEKING

ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES TO ENGAGE IN A PRE-ARRANGED ACTIVITY AT THE PROFESSIONAL

LEVEL LISTED IN APPENDIX 1603.D.1 FOR AN ENTERPRISE OWNED BY A PERSON OR ENTITY OTHER

THAN HIM OR HERSELF WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE WILL BE

PROVIDED AS IT IS DEVELOPED THROUGH THE TEMPORARY ENTRY WORKING GROUP.

Signed: ACTING EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER FOR OPERATIONS 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 165 
NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 009. 

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CABLE IS TO ALERT FIELD OFFICE PERSONNEL THAT AN ARTICLE ENTITLED 

'IMMIGRATION PROVISIONS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT " WAS PUBLISHED 

IN IMMIGRATION BRIEFINGS, NUMBER 94, DATED MARCH 1994. THE ARTICLE REFERS TO PRELIMINARY 

DRAFT OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING NAFTA. THE REFERENCE IS INACCURATE. INS 

HEADQUARTERS HAS PROVIDED NO PRELIMINARY DRAFT OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS TO ANY 

SOURCE AND HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PRELIMINARY DRAFT OPERATIONS. CURRENTLY, THE 

INS AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE TEMPORARY ENTRY PROVISIONS OF NAFTA ARE FOUND 

UNDER STATUTE (THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE IMPLEMENTATION ACT, PUBLIC LAW 103-182) 

AND UNDER REGULATION AS PUBLISHED AS AN INTERIM RULE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ON 

DECEMBER 30, 1993 (58 FEDERAL REGISTER 69202). OPERATIONS INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE 

DISSEMINATED AFTER PROMULGATION OF A FINAL RULE. QUESTIONS CONCERNING NAFTA 

IMPLEMENTATION POLICY MAY BE DIRECTED TO HEADQUARTERS ADJUDICATIONS, 

NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH. 

NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION CABLE 010. 

THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVES HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TERMS 

AND COVERAGE UNDER THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) SHALL NOT 

APPLY IN RESPECT TO GUAM, THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, 

AMERICAN SAMOA AND THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS. REFERENCES IN NAFTA TO A STATE 

OF THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE DEEMED TO REFER ALSO TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND 

THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO. 

ACCORDINGLY, CHAPTER 16 OF NAFTA, TEMPORARY ENTRY, SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO CITIZENS 

OF MEXICO OR CANADA SEEKING ENTRY TO GUAM, THE NORTHERN MAIRANA ISLANDS, AMERICAN 

SAMOA, OR THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SCOPE OF COVERAGE OF NAFTA MAY BE 

DIRECTED TO HEADQUARTERS ADJUDICATIONS, NONIMMIGRANT 

BRANCH. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 166 
NAFTA IMPLEMENTATION WIRE 011 

I. STRIKEBREAKER PROVISIONS-GENERAL. 

CHAPTER 16 OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA) INCLUDES AN 

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARD FOR THE DOMESTIC LABOR FORCE OF EACH NAFTA COUTNRY WHICH THE 

UNITED STATES-CANADA FREE-TRADE AGREEMENT DID NOT CONTAIN. THIS PROVISION UNDER 

ARTICLE 1603 ALLOWS EACH NAFTA COUNTRY TO REFUSE TO ISSUE AN IMMIGRATION DOCUMENT 

AUTHORIZING EMPLOYMENT WHERE THE TEMPORARY ENTRY OF THE NAFTA BUSINESS PERSON 

MIGHT AFFECT ADVERSELY THE OUTCOME OF A LABOR DISPUTE OR THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY 

WORKER INVOLVED IN SUCH A LABOR DISPUTE. 

ENABLING LEGISLATION (THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT) 

AUTHORIZES THE UNITED STATES TO INVOKE THIS NAFTA PROVISION AT SECTION 214(SMALL J) OF 

THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT. 

SPECIFICALLY, THE PROVISION APPLIES TO CANADIAN AND MEXICAN CITIZENS SEEKING ENTRY TO 

THE UNITED STATES AS TRADERS AND INVESTORS (E-1 AND E-2), INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES 

(L-1), AND PROFESSIONALS (TN). THE UNITED STATES SHALL CARRY OUT THIS "STRIKEBREAKER 

PROVISION" AT THE TIME OF: 1. ADJUDICATION OF THE PETITION, WHERE REQUIRED, OR; 2. 

APPLICATION FOR NONIMMIGRANT VISA, WHERE REQUIRED, OR; 3. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 

AT A POE. 

THE CURRENT REGULATIONS CONTROLLING THE E, L, AND TN CATEGORIES PROVIDE THAT THE 

SECRETARY OF LABOR SHALL CERTIFY TO OR OTHERWISE INFORM THE INS THAT A STRIKE OR 

OTHER LABOR-DISPUTE INVOLVING A WORK STOPPAGE IS IN PROGRESS, AND THAT THE 

TEMPORARY ENTRY OF THE CANADIAN OR MEXICAN CITIZEN IN SUCH NONIMMIGRANT 

CLASSIFICATION MAY AFFECT ADVERSELY THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY LABOR DISPUTE OR THE 

EMPLOYMENT OF ANY PERSON WHO IS INVOLVED IN SUCH DISPUTE. SUCH NOTIFICATION FROM 

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR MAY INCLUDE THE LOCATIONS AND OCCUPATIONS AFFECTED BY THE 

STRIKE. 

BASED UPON SUCH NOTIFICATION OR CERTIFICATION OF THE SECRETARY OF LABOR AND AS 

PROVIDED AT 8 CFR 214.2(e), OR 8 CFR 214.2(l)(18), OR CFR 214.6(SMALL K), THE SERVICE SHALL 

DETERMINE IF THE TEMPORARY ENTRY OF THE APPLICANT MAY AFFECT ADVERSELY THE 

SETTLEMENT OF ANY LABOR DISPUTE OR THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY PERSON WHO IS INVOLVED IN 

SUCH DISPUTE. 

WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF REFUSAL MUST BE PROVIDED TO (1) THE NAFTA BUSINESS PERSON 

AND (2) THE NAFTA COUNTRY OF WHICH THE BUSINESS PERSON IS A CITIZEN. 

II. PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED 

THIS WIRE PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO BE FOLLOWED IN ALL CASES WHERE NAFTA BUSINESS 

PERSONS ARE REFUSED CLASSIFICATION OR ADMISSION AS E-1, E-2, L-1, OR TN BASED ON ARTICLE 

1603 OF NAFTA. 

DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBERS OF NAFTA BUSINESS PERSONS (E, L, AND TN) ARE NOT DIRECTLY 

SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS IN AS MUCH AS THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE 

UNITED STATES INCIDENT TO THEIR DEPENDENT STATUS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE AFFECTED 

INDIRECTLY, AS THEY ARE CLASSIFIABLE AS E-1 OR E-2, L-2, AND TD SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF 

CLASSIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL ALIEN. WHERE A PRINCIPAL ALIEN IS REFUSED CLASSIFICATION 

UNDER NAFTA, THE DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT CLASSIFIABLE AS DEPENDENTS. 

FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION, THE EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT REFERS TO 

EITHER FORM 1-129, CLASSIFYING THE ALIEN AS L-1, E, OR TN, OR THE FORM 1-94, 

ARRIVAL-DEPARTURE RECORD. 

STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY THE POE OR SERVICE CENTER: 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 167 
1. NOTIFY IN WRITING THE APPLICANT OF THE REASONS FOR REFUSAL (THIS CAN BE ROUTINE INS 

NOTICE OF DENIAL AT A SERVICE CENTER, FORM 1-797, OR THE ROUTINE NOTICE OF REFUSAL AT 

THE POE). 

2. NOTIFY HEADQUARTERS ADJUDICATIONS, CHIEF, NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH, IN WRITING (FAX 202-

514-5014) OF THE REFUSAL. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED: 

A) NAME AND ANY KNOWN ADDRESS OF THE BUSINESS PERSON 

B) CITIZENSHIPP OF BUSINESS PERSON 

C) DATE AND PLACE OF REFUSAL OF DOCUMENT AUTHORIZING EMPLOYMENT (1-94)

D) NAME AND ADDRESS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER

E) POSITION TO BE OCCUPIED

F) REQUESTED DURATION OF STAY

G) REASONS FOR REFUSAL

H) REFERENCE TO APPROPRIATE STATUTORY OR REGULATORY ACTHORITY FOR REFUSAL

(IF APPLICABLE) 

I) STATEMENT INDICATING THAT THE BUSINESS PERSON WAS INFORMED IN WRITING OF THE 

REFUSAL AND THE REASONS FOR THE REFUSAL. 

HQADN SHALL NOTIFY IN WRITING THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHOSE CITIZEN 

WAS REFUSED AN EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT PURSUANT TO THIS FTA PROVISION. 

III. INTENT OF PROVISION. 

ARTICLE 1603 ESTABLISHED THIS SAFEGUARD TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL OBJECTIVES

OF CHAPTER 16: RECOGNITION OF THE PREFERENTIAL TRADING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE

PARTIES THROUGH FACILITATED ENTRY PROCEDURES OF BUSINESS PERSONS WHILE ENSURING

BORDER SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF THE DOMESTIC LABOR FORCE. THE APPLICATION OF THIS

QUOTE STRIKEBREAKER PROVISION UNQUOTE SHALL BE MADE ON A CASEBY-CASE BASIS IN

ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NAFTA BUSINESS PERSONS ENTRY WOULDAFFECT

ADVERSELY STRIKE OR OTHER LABOR DISPUTE. KEEP IN MIND THAT EXCECUTIVES, MANAGERS,

AND OTHER SPECIALIZED EMPLOYEES OF A BUSINESS MAY BE ADMISSIBLE TO ENGAGE IN

ACTIVITIES WHICH DO NOT AFFECT ADVERSELY A LABOR DISPUTE.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NAFTA PROVISION MAY BE DIRECTED THROUGH APPROPRIATE

CHANNELS TO HQADN, NONIMMIGRANT BRANCH.

HQOPS

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 168 
IIRIRA Wire #41 

Instructions on the Processing of Certain 

Foreign Health Care Workers: IIRIRA Section 343 

All District Directors

All Officers-in-Charge

All Service Center Directors

All Regional Directors

Office of Field Operations

All Regional Counsels

All District Counsels

Director of Training- Artesia

Director of Training- Glynco

HQ 70/23.1-P HQ 70/21.1.14-P 

HQ 50/5.1296 ACT.041 

June 6, 1997 

Office of Examinations 

(HQEXM) 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide you with additional information with respect to the processing of 

foreign health care workers affected by section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant 

Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). As you know, this office published a memorandum dated January 28, 1997, which 

provided initial guidance with respect to the implementation of section 343. This memorandum updates certain 

portions of the January 28 memorandum. 

Affected Occupations 

Effective immediately, the only health care occupations covered by 212(a)(5)(C) of the Act, as added by section 

343 of IIRIRA are the following: nurses, physical therapists, occupational, therapists, speech language 

pathologists, medical technologist, medical technicians and physician assistants. An alien coming to the United 

States to perform health care services in any other occupation, either as an immigrant or a nonimmigrant, is not 

subject to a determination of admissibility under INA 212(a)(5)(C). You will be notified as additional occupations 

are added to this listing. This is a significant change from the January 28 memorandum which applied the 

statutory provision to ail health care workers. This memorandum limits the applicability of the statutory provision 

to the occupations listed in the conference report. 

Nonimmigrants-Waiver of Inadmissibility 

The January 28 memorandum indicated that the INS and the Department of States (DOS) had agreed to a 

blanket waiver of inadmissibility under section 212 (a)(5)(C) for nonimmigrant health care workers lacking the 

required CGFNS certificate or other certification pursuant to section 212(d)(3)(A) until such time as appropriate 

certification procedures have been put in place. The Service will also waive inadmissibility under section 

212(a)(5)(C) pursuant to section 212(d)(3)(B) for aliens already in possession of nonimmigrant visas or who are 

visa-exempt aliens, including Canadians applying for admission as TNs. Under this blanket waiver, Service 

officers at U.S. Ports-of-Entry and foreign pre-clearance sites may-accept applications for waivers. Any 

otherwise admissible nonimmigrant health-care worker who receives a waiver for section 212(a)(5)(C) 

inadmissibility shall be authorized admission into the United States with a single-entry Form 1-94 with a validity 

date of six (6) months. Otherwise admissible dependents covered by the blanket policy will also be authorized 

admission into the United States for a time coinciding with that of the principal alien. 

Field Offices are hereby notified that this waiver should be granted without the filing of a formal application or 

fee. Further, any otherwise admissible nonimmigrant health-care worker granted a waiver of this provision shall 

be authorized admission into the United States with a single-entry Form 1-94 valid for six (6) months except in 

the case of aliens who reside in and commute from contiguous territories. These aliens shall be issued a 

multiple-entry Form 1-94 valid for six (6) months. 

This procedure will be effective until further notice. 

Nonimmigrants-Change of Status or Extensions of Temporary Stay 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 169 
Applicants for a change of nonimmigrant status or for an extension of temporary stay under a nonimmigrant visa 

category involving a health care occupation may also be granted a waiver of 212(a)(5)(C) inadmissibility, without 

form or fee, and may be granted an extension of stay of 1 year or for the requested period of the extension of 

time if less than I year. 

Immigrants-General 

Service officers are reminded that the waiver procedures discussed above relate solely to nonimmigrant aliens 

and do not-apply to immigrant aliens. The statutory authority to grant waivers under 212(d)(3) of the Act applies 

to aliens seeking classification/admission as nonimmigrant aliens. Pursuant to the instructions contained in the 

January 28 memorandum with respect to the processing of immigrant health care workers, applications-for 

adjustment of status filed by aliens who are the beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant 

petitions to work as health care workers must be held-in abeyance until further notice. 

An interagency task force has been established for the purpose of devising a procedure to implement section 

343. The Service will issue a rule in the near future to implement section 343 of IERIRA. You will be advised of 

any further developments as soon as they occur. 

Nurses 

In part M of the January 28 memorandum, the INS discussed the certification requirements for registered 

nurses. The memorandum implied that a nurse could adjust status in the United States if the nurse obtained a 

certification from the Commission on Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Unfortunately, the certification 

contemplated in the memorandum has not been developed by the CGFNS. The current CGFNS certificate is not 

equivalent to the certification discussed in section 343 of IIRIRA. There are at least two differences between the 

two certifications. As a result a nurse may not adjust status in the United State or be admitted to the United 

States on an immigrant visa until such time as the nurse obtains a certificate issued under the provisions of 

section 343 of IIRIRA. Nurses seeking entry into the United States as nonimmigrant aliens should be processed 

pursuant to the instructions contained in the section of this memorandum discussing waivers. 

Service officers should not advise an alien to obtain a certificate from CGFNS since the current certificate does 

not overcome this ground of inadmissibility. This provision applies to both aliens educated in the United States 

and abroad. 

For further information, please contact Adjudications Officer John W. Brown at 202-514-3240. 

Louis D. Crocetti, Jr. 

Associate Commissioner 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 170 
U.S. Department of Justice 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

425 1 Street NW 

Washington, , DC 2036 

APR 30, 1998 

HQ 70/23.1P HQ 70/21.1.14-P 

HQ 50/5-12 96 ACT.069 

MEMORANDUM FOR: All District Directors 

All Officers-in-Charge 

All Service Center Directors 

Ail Regional Directors 

All Regional Counsels 

All District Counsels 

Director of Training-Artesia, NM 

Director of Training- Glynco, GA 

FROM: Joseph R. Greene 

Acting Associate Commissioner 

Programs 

SUBJECT: Temporary Admission of Foreign Health Care Workers 

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the procedure for the temporary admission to the United 

States of nonimmigrant foreign health care workers prior to the publication of regulations implementing section 

343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRJPA). 

This is the fourth memorandum written concerning this particular issue. The prior memoranda were 

dated January 28, 1997, June 6, 1997, and August 2-7, 1997 respectively. Copies of the prior memoranda are 

attached for your reference. 

The January 28 memorandum provided that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the 

Department of State (DOS) agreed to exercise discretion pursuant to section 212(d)(3) of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act in granting a blanket waiver of inadmissibility under section 212 (a)(5)(C) for nonimmigrant health 

care workers lacking the required certificate until such time as appropriate certification procedures have been 

put in place. The Service also waived inadmissibility under section 212(a)(5)(C) pursuant to section 212(d)(3)(3) 

for aliens already in possession of nonimmigrant visas or who are visa-exempt aliens, including Canadians 

applying for admission as TNs. 

The memorandum went on to state that any otherwise admissible nonimmigrant health care worker who 

receives a waiver for section 212(a)(5)(C) inadmissibility, shall be authorized admission into the United States 

with a single-entry Form 1-94 with a validity date of six (6) months. 0therwise admissible dependents covered by 

the blanket policy will also be authorized admission into the United States for a time consistent with that of the 

principal alien. 

The June 6 memorandum provided additional guidance. The memorandum notified Field Offices that 

the waiver should be granted without the filing of a formal application or fee. Further, that memorandum 

indicated that any otherwise admissible nonimmigrant health care worker granted a waiver of this provision shall 

be authorized admission into the United States with a single-entry Form 1-94 valid for six (6) months except in 

the case of aliens who reside in and commute from contiguous territories. These aliens shall be issued a 

multiple-entry Form I-94 valid for six (6) months. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 171 
This last instruction has created a number of problems at various ports of entry, the northern border. 

Effective immediately, any foreign health care worker granted a Waiver of the provision described in section 

212(a)(5)(C) of the Act, shall be -issued a multiple entry Form 1-94 valid for six months regardless of his or her 

place of residence. An alien issued an 1-94 under these circumstances may make application for admission to 

the United States during the validity period of the previously issued 1-94 without requesting a new waiver. TN 

nonimmigrant aliens are not required to pay the admission fee described in 8 CFR 21 4.6(f) when applying for 

admission during the validity period of the previously issued 1-94. Until further notice, there is no limit to the 

number of waivers which a nonimmigrant alien can be granted under section 212(d)(3) of the INA. 

Finally, any foreign health care worker granted a waiver of the provision described in section, 

212(a)(5)(C) of the Act is eligible to receive an extension of temporary stay after the expiration of the initial 6 

month period of admission. There is no limit on the number of extensions of stay which a nonimmigrant alien 

may be granted provided, of course, the alien is otherwise for an extension of stay. 

For further information, please contact Adjudications Officer John W. Brown at 202514-324C. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 172 
DOCUMENT NUMBER: FR 73-98 

FEDERAL REGISTER CITE: 63 FR 55007 

DATE OF PUBLICATION: October 14, 1998 

BILLING CODE 4410-01 

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

Immigration and Naturalization Service 

8 CFR Parts 212 and 245 

[INS-1879-97] 

RIN 1115-AE73 

Interim Procedures for Certain Health Care Workers 

AGENCY: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice. 

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments. 

SUMMARY: This interim rule, which has been drafted in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS), amends regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service or INS) in 

order to implement, on a temporary basis, certain portions of section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and 

Immigrant Responsibility act of 1996 (IIRIRA) as they relate to prospective immigrants. Section 343, which was 

codified at section 212(a)(5)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act or INA), provides that aliens coming 

to the United States to perform labor in covered health care occupations (other than as a physician) are 

inadmissible unless they present a certificate relating to their education, qualifications, and English language 

proficiency. This requirement is intended to ensure that aliens possess proficiency in the skills that affect the 

provision of health care services in the United States. This rule establishes a temporary mechanism to allow 

applicants for immigrant visas or adjustment of status in the fields of nursing and occupational therapy to satisfy 

the requirements of section 343 on a provisional basis. The Service expects to publish a proposed rule in the 

near future which 

will implement in full the provisions of section 343. 

DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective December 14, 1998. 

Comment date: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 11, 1999. 

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments, in triplicate, to the Director, Policy Directives and Instructions 

Branch, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW., Room 5307, Washington, DC 20536. To 

ensure proper handling, please reference the INS No. 1879-97 on your correspondence. Comments are 

available for public inspection at the above address by calling (202) 514-3048 to arrange for an appointment. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John W. Brown, Adjudications Officer, Benefits Division, 

Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street NW., Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 

514-3240. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed the Illegal Immigration 

Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208. Section 343 of IIRIRA created a new 

ground of inadmissibility at section 212(a)(5)(C) of the Act for aliens coming to the United States to perform 

labor in certain health care occupations. Pursuant to section 343, any alien coming to the United States for the 

purpose of performing labor as a health care worker, other than as a physician, is inadmissible unless the alien 

presents to the consular officer, or, in the case or adjustment of status, the Attorney General, a certificate from 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 173 
the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or an equivalent independent 

credentialing organization approved by the Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary of HHS. 

Under section 343, the certificate must verify that: (1) The alien's education, training, license, and 

experience meet all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for admission into the United States under 

the classification specified in the application; are comparable with that required for an American health care 

worker; are authentic and, in the case of a license, the alien's license is unencumbered; (2) the alien has the 

level of competence in oral and written English considered by the Secretary of HHS, in consultation with the 

Secretary of Education (DoE), to be appropriate for health care work of the kind in which the alien will be 

engaged, as shown by an appropriate score on one or more nationally recognized, commercially available, 

standardized assessments of the applicants ability to speak and write English; and, finally, (3) if a majority of 

states licensing the profession in which the alien intends to work recognize a test predicting the alien's success 

on the profession's licensing or certification examination, the alien has passed such a test, or has passed such 

an examination. 

Section 343 raises a number of important and difficult issues as to its scope and proper implementation 

and requires extensive coordination between the Service and other Federal agencies. Prior to the publication of 

this rule, the Service met with representatives of HHS, as well as the United States Trade Representative, the 

Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of State (DOS), the DoE, the Department of Commerce (DOC), the 

CGFNS, the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), various professional 

organizations representing these health care occupations, and many other interested parties. 

The Purpose of the Interim Rule 

The purpose of this interim rule is to establish temporary procedures which will: (1) Allow the 

immigration of certain health care workers into the United States on a permanent basis in order to prevent the 

disruption of critical health care services to the public; (2) provide for the immigration of certain health care 

workers who were petitioned on a permanent basis prior to the enactment of IIRIRA; and (3) establish a 

temporary mechanism to ensure that nurses and occupational therapists immigrating to this country have 

education, experience, and training which are equivalent to a United States worker in a similar occupation. 

This interim rule provides a temporary mechanism for implementing section 343 with respect to nurses 

and occupational therapists. Aliens who obtain a certificate in accordance with this interim rule will be deemed 

to have satisfied the education, training, and licensing requirements of section 343. Credentialing organizations 

verifying that an alien's education, training, license, and experience meet all applicable statutory and regulatory 

requirements for admission into the United States under the classification specified in the application are 

required to determine, to the best of their ability, whether the alien appears to be classifiable under section 

203(b) of the Act. (The Service has substituted the term "admission" for the term "entry," in conformity with 

section 308(f) of Pub. L. 104-208 which amended the Act.) Although credentialing organizations are required to 

make certain verifications in accordance with this interim rule, the Service is not in any way deferring or 

delegating to the credentialing organizations the authority to make binding determinations regarding the alien's 

admissibility into the United States. 

The decision to include nursing and occupational therapy in this interim rule was based on information 

from DOL that there is a sustained level of demand for foreign-trained workers in these two occupations. 

Moreover, organizations with an established track record in providing credentialing services exist for these two 

occupations. For the purposes of this interim rule, the Service finds that these two criteria allow the 

implementation of section 343 of IIRIRA on a temporary basis. 

For the purposes of this interim rule, the term "sustained level of demand" means the presence of an 

existing demand for foreign health care workers in a particular occupation that is expected to continue in the 

foreseeable future. 

The term "organizations with an established track record" means, for the purposes of this interim rule, 

an organization which has a record of issuing actual certificates, or documents similar to a certificate, that are 

generally accepted by the state regulatory bodies as certificates that an individual has met certain minimal 

qualifications. 

The two organizations identified in this rule, the CGFNS for nurses and the NBCOT for occupational 

therapists, are organizations which have been issuing certificates, or similar documents, for a period of years 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 174 
and which have attained credibility with the various professional and regulatory bodies which deal with the two 

occupations listed in this rule. Therefore, the NBCOT and the CGFNS both meet the two criteria identified for 

inclusion in this interim rule. The Service has not identified other credentialing organizations which have an 

established track record in providing credentialing services for these two occupations other than the two 

organizations discussed in this rule. 

During the period of time that the interim rule is in effect, the Service will entertain any requests to issue 

certificates from an organization which demonstrates a proven track record in issuing certificates for a health 

care occupation and where there is a sustained level of demand for foreign-trained individuals. Such 

organizations are encouraged to contact the Service at the address provided earlier in the rule. 

The implementation of this interim rule on a limited basis also allows the Service additional time to 

obtain comment on a number of issues which extend beyond near-term immigration issues in nursing and 

occupational therapy to other policy concerns, such as the overall impact on the public health and the domestic 

labor market for a variety of health care occupations. 

Given the complex nature of the requirements of section 343, the Service will publish a proposed rule in 

the near future which will, among other things, list all the occupations covered by section 343, further describe 

the procedures for obtaining and presenting the certificates, describe the standards required for an organization 

to obtain approval to issue certificates, and describe the procedure whereby an organization's authorization can 

be terminated by the Service. The Service believes that major issues such as the scope of covered 

occupations, the standards for obtaining authorization to issue certificates, and the procedure for termination of 

an organization's authority to issue certificates are better addressed through proposed rule making. The Service 

expects to publish the proposed rule as soon as possible, within approximately 1 year. 

The Service's Temporary Policies and Their Effect 

The Service has issued a number of temporary policy guidelines which will continue to apply while the 

Service develops a rule fully implementing section 343. 

Occupations Covered 

The current policy of the Service is that section 343 is applicable only to the seven occupations listed in 

the Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference published in the Congressional Record of 

September 24, 1996, Nos. 132-133, page H10900. The seven occupations are: Nursing, physical therapy, 

occupational therapy, speech language pathology, medical technology, medical technician, and physician's 

assistant. 

Nonimmigrant Health Care Workers 

In order to ensure that health care facilities remain fully staffed and are able to continue to provide the 

same level and quality of service to the United States public pending promulgation of a final rule, the Service 

and DOS have agreed to exercise authority under section 212 (d) (3) of the Act and temporarily waive the 

certification requirement of section 343 for aliens coming to the United States as nonimmigrant care workers. 

The Service and the DOS have agreed to extend from 6 months to 1 year the period for which such a waiver is 

granted. This policy will continue until a final rule is published which fully implements section 343. 

Immigrant Health Care Workers 

There is a two-step process for an alien to become a permanent resident or enter the United States as 

an immigrant to perform labor as a health care worker. In general, a United States employer must file a Form I140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with the Service with the appropriate supporting documentation. The 

Form I-140 petition establishes the alien's eligibility for the employment-based classification sought. Once the 

Form I-140 petition is approved by the Service, the alien may apply for an immigrant visa abroad at a consular 

post or apply for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident by filing a Form I-485, Application to 

Register Permanent Resident of Adjust Status in the United States. 

The Service has no statutory authority to waive the requirements of section 343 for aliens coming to the 

United States permanently as immigrants to perform health care services in this country. Thus, the Service has 

adopted an interim policy whereby, instead of denying the applications for adjustment of status filed by 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 175 
uncertified aliens seeking to perform labor on a permanent basis in covered health care occupation, such

applications are held in abeyance pending promulgation of the implementing regulations. Similarly, the DOS has

no statutory authority to issue immigrant visas to such uncertified aliens, and has held visa applications from

such persons in abeyance as well. As a result, the number of applications for adjustment of status which have

been held in abeyance and the number of aliens unable to obtain immigrant visas has grown to significant

proportions. The four service centers have advised that they are holding in excess of 11,000 such

adjustment cases in abeyance.

Who Is Affected by the Rule--§ 212.15(a), (b) and (c) This interim rule will apply to aliens coming to the United

States as immigrants and to aliens applying for permanent residency to perform labor in the occupations of

nurse and occupational therapist. This interim rule does not apply to any other health care occupation. The

applications of aliens seeking to engage permanently in any of the other five health care occupations, i.e.,

physical therapy, speech language pathology, medical technology, medical technician, and physician's

assistant, listed in the Joint Explanatory Statement previously cited, will continue to be held in abeyance

pending promulgation of a final regulation implementing section 343.

This interim rule does not affect the admission of nonimmigrant aliens coming to the United States to 

work temporarily in any health care field. Nonimmigrants in the fields or nursing, occupational therapy, physical 

therapy, speech language pathology, medical technology, medical technician, or physician's assistant will 

continue to be admitted consistent with the Service's waiver policy previously described. 

At this time, the Service has not extended the application of section 343 beyond the seven occupations 

listed in the Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference. The Service, in consultation with 

HHS, may include additional health care occupations in its forthcoming proposed rule and expects to seek 

public comment on whether such occupations should be affected by section 343. Until a final regulation 

implementing section 343 is promulgated, however, the Service (as well as DOS) will continue to deem both 

immigrants and nonimmigrants in occupations other than the seven listed above to be exempt from the 

requirements of section 343. Applications for permanent resident status filed by aliens to work in the 

occupations of speech language pathologist, medical technologist, medical technicians, physical therapists, and 

physician assistants, however, will continue to be held in abeyance until a final rule is published. Further, the 

DOS has notified the Service that it will continue its policy of not issuing immigrant visas to aliens coming to the 

United States to perform labor in these five occupations until a final rule is published. 

The Service has interpreted the term "performing labor as a health care worker" to mean providing 

direct or indirect health care services to a patient. Aliens coming to the United States to perform services in 

non-clinical health care occupations such as, but not limited to, medical teachers, medical researchers, 

managers of health care facilities, and medical consultants to the insurance industry, therefore, are not covered 

by the provisions of section 343. Individuals employed in these occupations do not perform patient care and, 

therefore, are not performing labor in a health care occupation as contemplated in the statute. Nevertheless, 

aliens who are indirectly involved in the performance of patient care, for example, supervisory nurses, must 

comply with the provisions of section 343. 

Since the statute specifically refers only to aliens who are seeking to enter the United States under 

section 203(b) of the Act for the purpose of performing labor as health care workers, section 343 does not apply 

to the spouse and dependent children of such aliens. Dependent aliens are admitted to the United States for 

the primary purpose of family unity and are merely accompanying the principal alien. Therefore, the 

admissibility of dependent aliens is not affected by the provisions of section 343. For similar reasons, it is the 

position of the Service that an alien who has applied for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Act on the 

basis of a family-sponsored immigrant petition pursuant to section 203(a) of the Act or on the basis of an 

employment-based immigrant petition in a non-health care occupation does not have to comply with section 343 

of IIRIRA. 

Additionally, an alien who applies for adjustment of status pursuant to sections 209, 210, 245a, 249 or 

any other section of the Act is not affected by the provisions of section 343 of IIRIRA. This distinction derives 

from the fact that section 343 of IIRIRA applies only to aliens who are coming to the United States for the 

primary purpose of performing labor as a health care worker. Aliens applying for adjustment of status under 

these statutory provisions, regardless of their ultimate professional goal, will not be deemed to be adjusting 

status for the purpose of performing labor as a health care worker. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 176 
Organization Granted Temporary Approval To Issue Certificates for Nurses and Occupational Therapists--§ 

212.15(e) 

This rule grants temporary authorization to the CGFNS to issue certificates to aliens coming to the 

United States on a permanent basis to work in the field of nursing. This rule grants temporary authorization to 

the NBCOT to issue certificates to aliens coming to the United States on a permanent basis to work in the field 

of occupational therapy. 

Under this interim rule, CGFNS is authorized to issue certificates only for the occupation of nurse, for 

which it has an established track record of issuing certificates, and not for the occupation of occupational 

therapy. Since CGFNS does not have an established track record of issuing certificates for occupational 

therapists at this time, it will be limited to issuing certificates for occupation of nursing for the validity period of 

this interim rule. 

The Service defers consideration of whether CGFNS may be authorized to issue certificates for other 

health care occupations, including occupational therapy, until the promulgation of its forthcoming proposed rule. 

This interim rule authorizes NBCOT, on a temporary basis, to issue certificates in accordance with 

section 343 for the occupation of occupational therapy. NBCOT is authorized to issue such certificates solely 

because of NBCOT's proven track record in issuing certificates for the position of occupational therapist and the 

current acceptance of these certificates by the various state regulatory boards in the field of occupational 

therapy. 

Insofar as this interim rule addresses the certification requirements for aliens seeking to immigrate to the 

United States, the Service has determined that it is unnecessary to require that the certificate issued by CGFNS 

or NBCOT be valid for a specific period of time beyond the date of admission or adjustment of status. The 

Service may nevertheless consider imposing such a validity period in the context of promulgating its proposed 

rule. 

English Language Requirement--§ 212.15(g) 

Purusant to section 343 of IIRIRA, HHS, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, is required to 

establish a level of competence in oral and written English which is appropriate for the health care work of the 

kind in which the alien will be engaged, as shown by an appropriate score on one or more nationally recognized, 

commercially available, standardized assessments of the applicant's ability to speak and write. 

The statute vests the Secretary of HHS with the "sole discretion" to determine the standardized tests 

and appropriate minimum scores required by section 343 of IIRIRA. 

The HHS has identified two testing services which conduct a nationally recognized, commercially 

available, standardized assessment as contemplated in the statute. The two testing services are the 

Educational Testing Service (ETAS) and the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). The 

new regulation at § 212.15(g) lists the tests and appropriate scores as determined by HHS for each occupation. 

In developing the English language test scores, HHS consulted with the DoE and appropriate health 

care professional organizations. The HHS also examined a study sponsored in part by NBCOT entitled 

"Standards for Examinations Assessing English as a Second Language" in arriving at these scores. The scores 

reflect the current industry requirements for the occupations. 

Under this interim regulation, an organization approved to issue certificates may use either of the 

above-named testing services. It should be noted, however, that HHS has determined that occupational 

therapists should only take the test administered by ETS. The HHS has advised the Service that it made this 

determination based on the fact that all 50 states have accepted the NBCOT requirements which list the ETS as 

the only acceptable examination. 

In addition, organizations authorized to issued certifications are encouraged to develop a test 

specifically designed to measure English language skills and seek HHS approval of the test. While HHS has 

identified MELAB and ETS for purposes of this interim rule, other testing services may submit information about 

their testing services to the Service so that HHS and the DOE could review whether the testing service should 

be included in the final rule. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 177 
HHS has advised that graduates of health professional programs in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), 

Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States are exempt from the English language 

requirements of section 343 of IIRIRA for the duration of the interim rule. The HHS has determined that, for 

purposes of this rule, aliens who have graduated from these programs have competency in oral and written 

English because the level of English that they would need to graduate from these programs is deemed 

equivalent to the level that would be demonstrated by achieving the minimum passing score on the test 

described above. 

Presentation of the Certificate--§ 212.15(d) and § 245.14 

Section 343 of IIRIRA is codified in section 212(a) of the Act as a new ground of inadmissibility. In 

general, grounds listed in section 212(a) are bars to admission to the United states which must be overcome 

when an alien applies for admission. This interim rule provides that the certificate must be presented to a 

consular officer at the time that the alien applies for an immigrant visa and to the Service at the time of 

admission or adjustment of status. The certificate must be valid at the time the alien applies for an immigrant 

visa at a consular post abroad and seeks admission or adjustment of status to that of a permanent resident. 

The Service and the DOS will consider, in the context of the proposed rulemaking, whether it would be 

more efficient to review the certificate as part of the review of the alien's qualifications for classification at the 

time that a Form I-140 is adjudicated by the Service. In this regard, it should be noted that such a filing 

procedure has long been used with respect to labor certifications under section 212(a)(5)(A) of the Act. 

Good Cause Exception 

This interim rule is effective 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. The Service 

invites post-promulgation comments and will address any such comments in a final rule. For the following 

reasons, the Service finds that good cause exists for adopting this rule without the prior notice and comment 

period ordinarily required by 5 U.S.C. 553. Although section 343 went into effect on September 30, 1996, due to 

the complexities of the requirements of section 343, and the need to coordinate the interests and concerns of a 

great number of Federal agencies, the health care sector, and members of the affected public, the Service is still 

in the process of developing a proposed rule in order to solicit comment from the public. A continued delay in 

the implementation of this provision, however, could have a negative effect on the availability of health care in 

this country, particularly in medically under-served areas for nursing and occupational therapy, and will create a 

further backlog with respect to pending applications filed by aliens seeking to immigrate to perform labor in a 

health care occupation. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 605(b), 

has reviewed this regulation and, by approving it, certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule has been drafted in a way to minimize the economic 

impact that it has on small business while meeting its intended objective. The health care workers who will be 

issued certificates are not considered small entities as the term is defined in 5 U.S.C. 601(6). 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by 

the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 1 year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small 

governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act of 1995. 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 

This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major 

increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 

innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies in 

domestic and export markets. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 178 
Executive Order 12866 

This rule is considered by the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, to be a 

"significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f), Regulatory Planning and Review. 

Accordingly, this regulation has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. 

Executive Order 12612 

The regulation adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 

between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 

various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. 

Executive Order 12988 Civil Justice Reform 

This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988. 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

The information required on the certificate for health care workers showing that the alien possesses 

proficiency in the skills that affect the provisions of health care services in the United State (as provided in § 

212.15(f)) is considered an information collection. Since a delay in issuing this interim rule could create a further 

backlog with respect to pending applications filed by aliens seeking to immigrate to perform labor in a health 

care occupation, the INS is using emergency review procedures, for review and clearance by the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. 

The OMB approval has been requested by November 13, 1998. If granted, the emergency approval is 

only valid for 180 days. Comments concerning the information collection should be directed to: Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs (OMB), OMB Desk Officer for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 

Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. 

During the first 60 days of this same period a regular review of this information will also be undertaken. 

Written comments are encouraged and will be accepted until December 14, 1998. Your comments should 

address one or more of the following points: 

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the 

functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; 

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, 

including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 

(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use 

of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of 

information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. 

The Service, in calculating the overall burden this requirement will place upon the public, estimates that 

approximately 7,000 certificates will be issued annually. The Service also estimates that it will take the testing 

entity approximately 2 hours to comply with the requirements. This amounts to 14,000 total burden hours. 

Organizations and individuals interested in submitting comments regarding this burden estimate or any 

aspect of these information collection requirements, including suggestions for reducing the burden, should direct 

them to: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Director, Policy Directives and Instructions Branch (HQPDI), 

425 I Street NW., Room 5307, Washington, DC 20536. 

List of Subjects 

8 CFR Part 212 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 179 
Administrative practice and procedures, Aliens, Immigration, Passports and visas, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements. 

8 CFR Part 245 

Aliens, Immigration, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. 

Accordingly, chapter I of title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: 

PART 212--DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: NONIMMIGRANTS; WAIVERS; ADMISSION OF CERTAIN 

INADMISSIBLE ALIENS; PAROLE 

1. The authority citation for part 212 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1102, 1103, 1182, 1184, 1187, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1252; 8 CFR part 2. 

2. Section 212.15 is added to read as follows: 

§ 212.15 Certificates for foreign health care workers. 

(a) Inadmissible aliens. With the exception of the aliens described in paragraph (b) of this section, any 

alien coming to the United States for the primary purpose of performing labor in a health care occupation listed 

in paragraph (c) of this section is inadmissible to the United States unless the alien presents a certificate as 

described in paragraph (f) of this section. 

(b) Inapplicability of the ground of inadmissibility. The following aliens are not subject to this ground of 

inadmissibility: 

(1) Aliens seeking admission to the United States to perform services in a non-clinical health care 

occupation. A non-clinical health-care occupation is one where the alien is not required to perform direct or 

indirect patient care. Occupations which are considered to be non-clinical include, but are not limited to, medical 

teachers, medical researchers, managers of health care facilities, and medical consultants to the insurance 

industry; 

(2) The spouse and dependent children of any immigrant alien who is seeking to immigrate in order to 

accompany or follow to join the principal alien; and 

(3) Any alien applying for adjustment of status to that of a permanent resident under any provision of 

law other than an alien who is seeking to immigrate on the basis of an employment-based immigrant visa 

petition which was filed for the purpose of obtaining the alien's services in a health care occupation described in 

paragraph (c) of this section. 

(c) Occupations affected by this provision. With the exception of the aliens described in paragraph (b) 

of this section, any alien seeking admission to the United States to perform labor in one of the following health 

care occupations, regardless of where he or she received his or her education or training, is subject to this 

provision: 

(1) Licensed Practical Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Registered Nurses. 

(2) Occupational Therapists. 

(d) Presentation of the certificate. An alien described in paragraph (a) of this section who is 

applying for admission as an immigrant seeking to perform labor in a health care occupation as described in this 

section must present a certificate to a consular officer at the time of visa issuance and to the Service at the time 

of admission or adjustment of status. The certificate must be valid at the time of visa issuance and admission at 

a port-of-entry, or, if applicable, at the time of adjustment of status. 

(e) Organizations approved by the Service to issue certificates for health care workers. (1) The 

Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is authorized to issue certificates under section 343 for 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 180 
the occupation of nurse. (2) The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy is authorized by the 

Service to issue certificates under section 343 for the occupation of occupational therapist. 

(f) Contents of the certificate. A certificate must contain the following information: 

(1) The name and address of the certifying organization; 

(2) A point of contact where the organization may be contacted in order to verify the validity of the 

certificate; 

(3) The date of the certificate was issued; 

(4) The occupation for which the certificate was issued; 

(5) The alien's name, and date and place of birth; 

(6) Verification that the alien's education, training, license, and experience are comparable with that 

required for an American health care worker of the same type; 

(7) Verification that the alien's education, training, license, and experience are authentic and, in the 

case of a license, unencumbered; 

(8) Verification that the alien's education, training, license, and experience meet all applicable 

statutory and regulatory requirements for admission into the United States as an immigrant under section 203(b) 

of the Act. This verification is not binding on the Service; and 

(9) Verification either that the alien has passed a test predicting success on the occupation's 

licensing or certification examination, provided such a test is recognized by a majority of States licensing the 

occupation for which the certificate is issued, or that the alien has passed the occupation's licensing or 

certification examination. 

(g) English testing requirement. (1) With the exception of those aliens described in paragraph (g)(2) of 

this section, every alien must meet certain English language requirements in order to obtain a certificate. The 

Secretary of Health and Human Services has determined that an alien must have a passing score on one of the 

two tests listed in paragraph (g)(3) of this section before he 

or she can be granted a certificate. 

(2) Aliens exempt form the English language requirement. Aliens who have graduated from a college, 

university, or professional training school located in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, 

the United Kingdom, and the United States are exempt from the English language requirement. 

(3) Approved testing services. 

(i) Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). 

(ii) Test of English as a Foreign Language, Educational Testing Service (ETS). 

(4) Passing scores for various occupations. (i) Occupational 

therapists. An alien seeking to perform labor in the United States as an occupational therapist must obtain the 

following scores on the English tests administered by ETS: Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 

Paper-Based 560, Computer-Based 220; Test of Written English (TWE): 4.5; Test of Spoken English (TSE): 50. 

Certifying organizations shall not accept the results of the MELAB for the occupation of occupational therapists. 

Aliens seeking to obtain a certificate to work as an occupational therapist must take the test offered by the ETS. 

MELAB scores are not acceptable for these occupations. 

(ii) Registered nurses. An alien coming to the United States to perform labor as a registered nurse 

must obtain the following scores to obtain a certificate: ETS: TOEFL: Paper-Based 540, Computer-Based 207; 

TWE: 4.0; TSE: 50; MELAB: Final Score 79; Oral Interview: 3+. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 181 
(iii) Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses. An alien coming to the United States to 

perform labor as a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse must have the following scores to be 

issued a certificate: ETS: TOEFL: Paper-Based 530, Computer-Based 197; TWE: 4.0; TSE: 50; MELAB: Final 

Score 77; Oral Interview: 3+. 

PART 245--ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS TO THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR 

PERMANENT RESIDENCE 

3. The authority citation for part 245 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1182, 1255; 8 CFR part 2. 

4. Section 245.14 is added to read as follows: 

§ 245.14. Adjustment of status of certain health care workers. 

An alien applying for adjustment of status to perform labor in a health care occupation as described in 8 

CFR 212.15(c) must present evidence at the time he or she applies for adjustment of status, and, if applicable, 

at the time of the interview on the application, that he or she has a valid certificate issued by the Commission on 

Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 182 
Memorandum issued October 20, 1999 from Michael Cronin, Acting Associate Commissioner, Programs 

through William Yates, Deputy Executive Associate Commissioner, Immigration Services Division, Field 

Operations 

Reference: HQ 70/23.1PHQ 70/21.1.14-P 

HQ 50/5.12 996 ACT.069 

SUBJECT: Update on the Temporary Admission of Foreign Health Care Workers 

The Service published an interim rule on October 14, 1998 that implemented portions of section 343 of the 

Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA). The rule addressed only aliens 

applying for immigrant visas or adjustment of status to a permanent resident coming to the United States to 

perform services in a limited number of health care occupations. The Service's prior instructions, dated January 

28, 1997, June 6, 1997, August 27, 1997, and April 30, 1998, relating to the temporary admission of heath care 

workers will remain in effect until the publication a final rule implementing section 343 of IIRIRA in full. 

This office expects to publish a final rule within I year that will implement the provisions of section 343 

of IIRIRA in full. In view of this time frame, the Service, in conjunction with the Department of State (DOS), has 

now determined that foreign heq1th care workers affected by section 343 of IIRIRA may be admitted to the 

United States for a period of I year, not 6 months as previously instructed. Of course, the alien must meet all 

other regulatory and statutory requirements for admission. Again, Service officers should continue to apply the 

instructions contained in the prior memoranda, other than the length of admission for a nonimmigrant alien. 

The following represents a summary of the instructions contained in the four previous memoranda. 

The Service and the DOS agreed to exercise discretion pursuant to section 212(d)(3) of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act in granting a blanket waiver of inadmissibility under section 212 (a)(5)(C) for nonimmigrant 

health care workers lacking the- required certificate until such time as appropriate certification procedures 

have been put in place. The Service also waived inadmissibility under section 212(a)(5)(C) pursuant to section 

212(d)(3)(B) for aliens already in possession of nonimmigrant visas or who are visa-exempt aliens, including 

Canadians applying for admission as TN's. The waiver should be granted without the filing of a formal 

application or fee. 

An otherwise admissible nonimmigrant health care worker who receives a waiver for section 212(a)(5)(C) 

inadmissibility, shall be authorized admission into the United States for a period of I year. Otherwise admissible 

dependents covered by the blanket policy will also be authorized admission into the United States for a time 

coinciding with that of the principal alien. An alien admitted to the United States under these circumstances 

may make application for admission to the United States during the validity period of the previously issued 1-94 

without requesting a new waiver. TN nonimmigrant aliens are not required to pay the admission fee described 

in 8 CFR 214.6(f) when applying for admission during the validity period of the previously issued I94. There is 

no limit to the number of waivers that a nonimmigrant alien can be granted under section 212(d)(3) of the INA. 

Aliens admitted to the United States under this blanket waiver policy are eligible for extensions of stay in 

increments of I year. The total period of temporary stay for specific nonimmigrant classifications as described in 

regulation and statute is not affected by this policy. 

For further information, please contact Adjudication Officer John W. Brown at 202-616-7435. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 183 
SECTION NINE

DEFINITIONS

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 184
INA: ACT 101 - DEFINITIONS 

Sec. 101. [8 U.S.C. 1101] (a) As used in this Act­

(4) The term "application for admission" has reference to the application for admission into the United 

States and not to the application for the issuance of an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa. 

(13)2/ (A) The terms "admission" and "admitted" mean, with respect to an alien, the lawful entry of the 

alien into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer. 

(15) The term "immigrant" means every alien except an alien who is within one of the following classes 

of nonimmigrant aliens: 

(B) an alien (other than one coming for the purpose of study or of performing skilled or 

unskilled labor or as a representative of foreign press, radio, film, or other foreign information media 

coming to engage in such vocation) having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention 

of abandoning and who is visiting the United States temporarily for business or temporarily for 

pleasure; 

(E) an alien entitled to enter the United States under and in pursuance of the provisions of a 

treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and the foreign state of which he is a 

national, and the spouse and children of any such alien if accompanying or following to join him: 

(i) solely to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or trade in 

technology, principally between the United States and the foreign state of which he is a 

national; or 

(ii) solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which he has 

invested, or of an enterprise in which he is actively in the process of investing, a substantial 

amount of capital; 

(L) an alien who, within 3 years preceding the time of his application for admission into the 

United States, has been employed continuously for one year by a firm or corporation or other legal 

entity or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof and who seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order 

to continue to render his services to the same employer or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof in a capacity 

that is managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge, and the alien spouse and minor 

children of any such alien if accompanying him or following to join him; 

(17) The term "immigration laws" includes this Act and all laws, conventions, and treaties of the United 

States relating to the immigration, exclusion, deportation, expulsion, or removal of aliens. 

(18) The term "immigration officer" means any employee or class of employees of the Service or of the 

United States designated by the Attorney General, individually or by regulation, to perform the functions of an 

immigration officer specified by this Act or any section thereof. 

(26) The term "nonimmigrant visa" means a visa properly issued to an alien as an eligible nonimmigrant 

by a competent officer as provided in this Act. 

(32) The term "profession" shall include but not be limited to architects, engineers, lawyers, physicians, 

surgeons, and teachers in elementary or secondary schools, colleges, academies, or seminaries. 

(33) The term "residence" means the place of general abode; the place of general abode of a person 

means his principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent. 

(34) The term "Service" means the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of 

Justice. 

(44)(A) The term "managerial capacity" means an assignment within an organization in which the 

employee primarilyHQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 185 
(i) manages the organization, or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization; 

(ii) supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees, or 

manages an essential function within the organization, or a department or subdivision of the organization; 

(iii) if another employee or other employees are directly supervised, has the authority to hire and fire or 

recommend those as well as other personnel actions (such as promotion and leave authorization) or, if no 

other employee is directly supervised, functions at a senior level within the organizational hierarchy or with 

respect to the function managed; and 

(iv) exercises discretion over the day- to-day operations of the activity or function for which the 

employee has authority. A first-line supervisor is not considered to be acting in a managerial capacity merely 

by virtue of the supervisor's supervisory duties unless the employees supervised are professional. 

(B) The term "executive capacity" means an assignment within an organization in which the employee 

primarily­

(i) directs the management of the organization or a major component or function of the organization; 

(ii) establishes the goals and policies of the organization, component, or function; 

(iii) exercises wide latitude in discretionary decision-making; and 

(iv) receives only general supervision or direction from higher level executives, the board of directors, 

or stockholders of the organization. 

(C) If staffing levels are used as a factor in determining whether an individual is acting in a managerial 

or executive capacity, the Attorney General shall take into account the reasonable needs of the organization, 

component, or function in light of the overall purpose and stage of development of the organization, 

component, or function. An individual shall not be considered to be acting in a managerial or executive 

capacity (as previously defined) merely on the basis of the number of employees that the individual supervises 

or has supervised or directs or has directed. 

(45) The term "substantial" means, for purposes of paragraph (15)(E) with reference to trade or capital, 

such an amount of trade or capital as is established by the Secretary of State, after consultation with 

appropriate agencies of Government. 

(b) As used in titles I and II­

(1) The term "child" means an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age who is­

(A) a child born in wedlock; 

(B) a stepchild, whether or not born out of wedlock, provided the child had not reached the age of 

eighteen years at the time the marriage creating the status of stepchild occurred; 

(C) a child legitimated under the law of the child's residence or domicile, or under the law of the father's 

residence or domicile, whether in or outside the United States, if such legitimation takes place before the child 

reaches the age of eighteen years and the child is in the legal custody of the legitimating parent or parents at 

the time of such legitimation; 

(D) a child born out of wedlock, by, through whom, or on whose behalf a status, privilege, or benefit is 

sought by virtue of the relationship of the child to its natural mother or to its natural father if the father has or 

had a bona fide parent-child relationship with the person; 

(E) a child adopted while under the age of sixteen years if the child has been in the legal custody of, 

and has resided with, the adopting parent or parents for at least two years: Provided, That no natural parent of 

any such adopted child shall thereafter, by virtue of such parentage, be accorded any right, privilege, or status 

under this Act; or 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 186 
(F) a child, under the age of sixteen at the time a petition is filed in his behalf to accord a classification 

as an immediate relative under section 201(b), who is an orphan because of the death or disappearance of, 

abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from, both parents, or for whom the sole or surviving 

parent is incapable of providing the proper care and has in writing irrevocably released the child for emigration 

and adoption; who has been adopted abroad by a United States citizen and spouse jointly, or by an unmarried 

United States citizen at least twenty-five years of age, who personally saw and observed the child prior to or 

during the adoption proceedings; or who is coming to the United States for adoption by a United States citizen 

and spouse jointly, or by an unmarried United States citizen at least twenty-five years of age, who have or has 

complied with the preadoption requirements, if any, of the child's proposed residence: Provided, That the 

Attorney General is satisfied that proper care will be furnished the child if admitted to the United States: 

Provided further, That no natural parent or prior adoptive parent of any such child shall thereafter, by virtue of 

such parentage, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under this Act. 

(2) The term "parent'', "father'', or "mother'' means a parent, father, or mother only where the 

relationship exists by reason of any of the circumstances set forth in (1) above, except that, for purposes of 

paragraph (1)(F) (other than the second proviso therein) in the case of a child born out of wedlock described in 

paragraph (1)(D) (and not described in paragraph (1)(C)), the term "parent'' does not include the natural father 

or the child if the father has disappeared or abandoned or deserted the child or if the father has in writing 

irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption. 

Sec. 214.6 Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to engage in business activities at a 

professional level. 

b) Definitions. As used in this section, the terms: 

Business activities at a professional level means those undertakings which require that, for successful 

completion, the individual has a least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status as 

a professional in a profession set forth in Appendix 1603.D.1 of the NAFTA. 

Business person, as defined in the NAFTA, means a citizen of Canada or Mexico who is engaged in the trade of 

goods, the provision of services, or the conduct of investment activities. 

Engage in business activities at a professional level means the performance of prearranged business activities 

for a United States entity, including an individual. It does not authorize the establishment of a business or 

practice in the United States in which the professional will be, in substance, self-employed. A professional will 

be deemed to be self-employed if he or she will be rendering services to a corporation or entity of which the 

professional is the sole or controlling shareholder or owner. 

Temporary entry, as defined in the NAFTA, means entry without the intent to establish permanent residence. 

The alien must satisfy the inspecting immigration officer that the proposed stay is temporary. A temporary period 

has a reasonable, finite end that does not equate to permanent residence. In order to establish that the alien's 

entry will be temporary, the alien must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the inspecting immigration officer that 

his or her work assignment in the United States will end at a predictable time and that he or she will depart upon 

completion of the assignment. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 187 
SECTION TEN

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 188
SOURCES OF INFORMATION 

Dictionary of Occupational Titles (D.O.T.) prepared by the U. S. Employment Service, Employment and 

Training Administration (ETA), U. S. Department of Labor. The Dictionary of Occupational Titles is available 

on the Internet at http://www.oalj.dol.gov/libdot.htm. 

The latest version of the D.O.T. is the Revised Fourth Edition (1991). It is available for $50 from the 

Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Phone (202) 512-

1800. Specify GPO Stock Number 029-013-00094-2. 

The ETA has developed The Occupational Information Network (O*NET), as a new automated replacement 

for the D.O.T. It provides a comprehensive database that identifies and describes important information 

about occupations, worker skills and training requirements. The O*NET Data Dictionary is available in CD 

ROM package, in printed version and Internet download. More information may be obtained by contacting 

O*NET@doleta.gov. 

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998-99 (Paper) describes about 250 occupations in detail. It 

covers what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings and 

expected job prospects. The stock number is 029-001-03274-9 and the price is $44.00 including shipping. 

You may submit your order, along with payment, to the Government Printing Office by postal mail to: 

Superintendent of Documents 

P.O. Box 371954 

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 

Orders may be submitted to one of 24 U.S. Government Bookstores located throughout the United States. 

More information on ordering is available on the Internet: at access.gpo.gov. 

Occupational Outlook Handbook is available on the Internet at http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm. 

Iris: Immigration Research Information Service is a complete law library on CD-Rom (2 discs). 

IRIS includes: INA 

Immigration Reform Act of 1996 

BIA Decisions 

Code of Federal Regulations 

INS Operations Instructions 

Federal Register 

Dictionary of Occupational Titles 

Occupational Outlook Handbook 

Foreign Affairs Manual 

UNHCR Handbook 

BALCA Handbook 

BALCA Decisions 

Interpreter Releases 

Kurzban's Sourcebook 

Basic Law Manual 

Immigration Briefings 

Martin's Asylum Case Law 

IRIS is available from: West Group 

610 Opperman Drive 

Eagen, MN 55123-1396 

Phone: 1-800-328-4880 for information on ordering. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 189 
SECTION ELEVEN 

RELATED INTERIM DECISIONS 

Summaries of Interim Decisions relating to B-1 191

ID 3038: Matter of Duckett 193

Summaries of Interim Decisions relating to L-1 197

ID 3008: Matter of Siemen’s Medical Systems 199

ID 3052: Matter of Church Scientology International 202

ID 3067: Matter of Sandoz Crop Protection 210

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 190 
Summaries of Precedent Decisions Relating to B-1 Petitions 

Matter of M----- , 6 I & N Dec. 533. Nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act is not established by an alien who seeks to enter the United States for a period of two weeks to 

sell Christmas trees previously purchased by her in Canada, where the evidence shows that she has engaged 

in such business for the preceding three years and intends to continue therein for an indefinite number of years 

in the future. Excludable: Section 212(a)(20) of the Act of 1952 –Not in possession of a valid unexpired 

immigrant visa and valid passport. 

Matter of B-------- and K--------, 6 I & N Dec. 827. Nonimmigrant – Section 101(a)(15)(B), Immigration and 

Nationality Act – Factors to be considered – Canadian farmers. (1) In determining the eligibility for admission as 

a temporary visitor for business, the significant factors for consideration are: (a) is there a clear intent on the part 

of the alien applicant to continue his foreign residence and not to abandon his existing domicile; (b) are the 

principal place of business and the actual accrual of profits predominantly in the foreign country; (c) are the 

various entries into the United States of a plainly temporary nature (although the business activity itself need not 

be temporary and may be long continued). 

Matter of P------, 8 I & N Dec. 206. Nonimmigrant—Visitor for business—Canadian salesman eligible to enter 

United States temporarily to solicit orders. Employee of Canadian firm who comes to United States about four 

times a year for 2-week periods to sell plastic bags to united States customers is eligible for admission as 

nonimmigrant visitor for business where his employer’s principal place of business is in Canada, the accrual of 

profits from his work takes place in Canada, his commissions from sales in the United States are a minor part of 

his over-all income, and each of his entries is plainly of a temporary nature. 

Matter of Vilanova-Gonzalez, 11 I & N Dec. 610. (1) Since the term “business” as used in Section 

101(A)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act does not include local employment or labor for hire, a 

nonimmigrant visitor for business who secured a social security number and unauthorized employment on a 40-

hour per week basis as a construction worker which employment is not of a temporary nature, is deportable 

under section 241(a)(9) of the Act for failure to comply with the conditions of his status. 

Matter of Hira, 11 I & N Dec. 824. An alien who, in behalf of his employer, a Hong Kong manufacturer of 

custom made men’s clothing, travels to various cities in the United States to take orders from, and the 

measurements of, prospective customers whom he does not solicit but by whom he is contacted as the result of 

literature distributed in this country by his employer; who sends the order together with the purchase price, to his 

employer in Hong Kong; and who receives only expense money while in this country, his monthly salary being 

sent to his parents in India by his employer is engaged in intercourse of a commercial character, and, having 

indicated he would return to Hong Kong at the termination of his authorized stay, his sojourn here is of a 

temporary character, and he is eligible for nonimmigrant classification as a visitor for business under section 

101(a)(15)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

Matter of Neill, 15 I & N Dec. 331. The applicant in this case is a professional engineer who sought admission 

to the United States as a visitor for business under Section 101(a)(15)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

The applicant is a principal in a firm which employs 55 people and earns about 30 per cent of its income from 

business in the United States during which he spends some time soliciting business; however the bulk of his 

time appears to be devoted to consulting with clients and obtaining necessary information from them. Since only 

a small amount of his time is spent soliciting business and the majority of his time appears to be spent in 

connection with the rendition of his professional services as an engineer, he is in effect extending his 

professional engineering practice to the United States. He may not, under the classification of temporary visitor 

for business, extend his professional engineering practice into the United States. Since he has not shown that 

he qualifies for admission as a nonimmigrant, he is presumed to be an immigrant having no visa, was properly 

found excludable under section 212(a)(20) of the Act. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 191 
Matter of Cote, 17 I & N Dec. 336. A Canadian citizen truck driver of a United States firm who seeks to deliver 

automobiles manufactured in Canada into the United States ad to pick up automobiles in the United States and 

transport them back to Canada is admissible to the United States as a visitor for business under section 

101(a)(15)(B) of the Act as the transportation function he performs is a necessary incident to international trade 

and the unloading of automobiles in the United States by the applicant is merely incidental to his primary 

purpose of transporting them into the country. 

Matter of Camilleri, 17 I & N Dec. 441. A Canadian citizen truck driver employee (owner-operator) of a United 

States firm seeking to deliver goods manufactured in Canada to a terminal in the United States and to pick up 

goods to be delivered to points in Canada is admissible to the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for 

business under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 192 
INTERIM DECISION #3038: MATTER OF DUCKETT 

Volume 19 (Page 493) 

MATTER OF DUCKETT 

In Exclusion Proceedings 

A-27683768 

Decided by Board November 4, 1987 

A Canadian citizen railroad clerk employed by a Canadian railroad who seeks to enter the United States on a

daily basis for a portion of his shift in order to clear his employer's railroad cars for transport from the United

States to Canada is admissible to the United States as a visitor for business under section 101(a)(15)(B) of the

Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(B) (1982), as the function he performs is a necessary

incident to international trade or commerce. Matter of L-, 3 I&N Dec. 857 (C.O., BIA 1950), distinguished.

EXCLUDABLE: Act of 1952 - Sec. 212(a)(20) [8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(20)] - No valid immigrant visa

ON BEHALF OF APPLICANT: ON BEHALF OF SERVICE:

Kenneth A. Cohen, Esquire James M. Grable

Gellman, Cohen & Grasmick District Counsel

4043 Maple Road

Buffalo, New York 14226-1037 Janice Podolny

Appellate Counsel 

BY: Milhollan, Chairman; Dunne, Morris, Vacca, and Heilman, Board Members 

In a decision dated March 26, 1986, the immigration judge found the applicant admissible to the United States 

as a nonimmigrant visitor for business. The Immigration and Naturalization Service has appealed from that 

decision. The appeal will be dismissed. 

The applicant is a native and citizen of Canada who resides in that country with his wife and children. He has 

been employed for the last 18 years as a railroad clerk, first by Conrail Corporation in Canada and, since May 1, 

1985, by CP-Rail-CASO in Canada. On February 21, 1986, he sought admission for a portion of his shift to the 

United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for business in order to clear his employer's railroad cars for transport 

from Niagara Falls, New York, to Niagara Falls, Ontario. Because he was not clearly admissible, he was placed 

in exclusion proceedings. 

The record reflects that the applicant's employer, CP-Rail-CASO, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian 

Pacific Rail, a transcontinental railway operating in Canada with access to international markets in the United 

States. CP-Rail-CASO is involved in international rail transportation, as less than 5 percent of its activities are 

domestic transportation within Canada. In May 1985, Canadian Pacific Railroad and the Canadian National 

Railroad succeeded in purchasing the Canadian assets of Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) plus certain 

assets in the United States. The United States assets included the Niagara River Bridge across the Niagara 

River between Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, and 8/10 of a mile of track from the 

American side of the bridge in Niagara Falls, New York, to Conrail's Niagara Falls, New York, yards. In order to 

facilitate the international rail transportation of goods in international commerce, CP-Rail-CASO and Conrail 

entered into an interchange agreement which permitted CP-Rail-CASO to obtain cars set out for its 

transportation to Canada at Conrail's Niagara Falls, New York, yard. From May 1985 until July 1985, Conrail's 

clerks prepared documentation and instructions which enabled CP-Rail-CASO train crews to move the cars 

across the border into Canada. In June 1985, Conrail notified CP-Rail-CASO that it would no longer provide the 

clerical functions which enabled the train to move in international commerce. As a result of this action, the 

applicant was assigned to the United States in July 1985 until January 1986 on a full-time basis to train for the 

responsibilities of rail clerk, as they relate to clearing trains for crossing the international border, and to gain 

familiarity with the various problems which occur in the rail transportation of goods in international commerce. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 193 
 In support of his application for admission, the applicant presented a detailed account of his responsibilities as 

a railroad clerk. Since January 1986, the applicant reports to work at CP-Rail-CASO's Montrose yard in Niagara 

Falls, Ontario. He obtains documents related to the international shipment for his use in the United States and 

performs other responsibilities. When Conrail calls CP-Rail-CASO to advise them the train is leaving its Buffalo 

yard for Niagara Falls, New York, the applicant uses the company truck to drive to Conrail's Niagara Falls, New 

York, yard. Once he arrives at Conrail he drives to the eastern portion of the yard to do a rollby check of the 

train. In this check he compares the cars actually being delivered to those appearing on the consist 1/ and also 

conducts a preliminary safety check of the condition of the train. He then gives his finding to the Conrail crew. 

The Conrail crew makes any appropriate changes and enters that information into its computer. Conrail then 

utilizes the updated information to provide the applicant with an accurate list of the cars that were just 

transported and the cars already in the yard awaiting transport to Canada. Conrail also provides him with the 

waybills 2/ for each car and all customs and other documentation it has relating to those cars. 

In his employment, the applicant reviews the documentation he brought from Canada and the documentation 

delivered to him by Conrail to ascertain that each car has proper documentation to move in international 

commerce. He instructs the crew to marshall the train correctly and prepares customs export declarations and 

other documentation for those cars lacking such documentation. He also transmits information about the cars 

on the train to CP-Rail-CASO so that his employer may enter information relating to those cars into its computer 

system. The applicant then leaves the documentation and instructions for CP-Rail-CASO's train crew and 

returns to Canada. If the United States Customs Service desires to inspect any cars on the train leaving the 

United States he returns from Canada to the border in order to open the cars. (Traditional security measures in 

union contracts prohibit the train's crew from opening the cars for customs inspections.) On his return to 

Canada the applicant spends 70 percent of his time performing additional clerical work on the same train. He 

helps complete the data processing, helps with Canadian customs manifesting, and conducts a rollby check of 

the train when it arrives from the United States. Out of each shift he spends between 2 and 3 hours in the 

United States and between 5 and 6 hours of his time in Canada. He is the only employee regularly assigned to 

this duty. 

The applicant maintains that his employment requires a high degree of expertise which is usually obtained 

after 4 or more years of on-the-job training. Safety is the utmost consideration of a railroad clerk's job. He must 

know how to walk safely in the yard and must learn public safety regulations. Governmental regulations define 

dangerous cargo, control placement of cars containing dangerous cargo, and control the safe capacities of 

cargo a car may contain. The clerk must be able to identify dangerous cargo, place the car carrying it correctly 

and safely in the train, spot overloads, and alert the yard manager so CP-Rail-CASO may take corrective action. 

Moreover, once the applicant's employer accepts cars, it is legally bound by their condition and may be fined 

substantial amounts if it accepts and transports rail cars that are unsafe, undocumented, or overloaded or 

otherwise violate applicable rail transportation regulations. The clerk must visually compare the rail cars with 

the waybill, check their condition, and provide CP-Rail-CASO with the information necessary to decide whether 

to accept or reject the cars. He must also prepare a consist and assist the train crew to clear the goods through 

United States and Canadian customs. The applicant also points out that customary railroad practices, both in 

the United States and Canada, prohibit these functions from being performed by the train's operating crew. 

In his consideration of the applicant's request for admission, the immigration judge applied a two-pronged test 

for admissibility, as visitors for business, of employees of common carriers engaged in international trade or 

commerce in accordance with Matter of Camilleri, 17 I&N Dec. 441 (BIA 1980). The immigration judge found 

that the applicant possessed a clear intent to continue his residence in Canada and to maintain his domicile 

there. He also determined that the applicant's entries into the United States were, individually or separately, of a 

plainly temporary nature, being only so long as required to permit transfer of a train from Conrail to the 

applicant's employer. In his review of the applicant's case, the immigration judge also distinguished the holding 

in Matter of L-, 3 I&N Dec. 857 (C.O., BIA 1950), which involved a relief telegrapher, employed by Canadian 

Pacific R.R. 3 days a week in Canada and 2 days a week in the United States, who was precluded from entering 

the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor because the work involved was of a permanent and continuing 

nature performed at a fixed place of employment pursuant to a regular assignment. The immigration judge 

found that Matter of L-, supra, was inapplicable because it did not consider the effect of employment by a 

common carrier engaged in international commerce. 

On appeal, the Service urges reversal of the immigration judge's decision. It maintains that the applicant is 

coming to the United States solely to perform purely local employment or labor for hire as a railroad clerk, who is 

not otherwise qualified for entry as a business visitor, because the function he performs is not a necessary 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 194 
incident to international trade or commerce. The Service contends that, unlike the truck driver in Matter of Cote, 

17 I&N Dec. 336 (BIA 1980), whose manual labor activities such as loading and unloading were deemed to be a 

necessary function of delivery and were merely incidental to his primary business activity of transportation, the 

applicant's clerical duties are his only business activities, and he is not coming to the United States, as does a 

truck driver or a train crew member, in the act of transporting goods across the border. The Service argues that 

the immigration judge improperly adopted the test of admissibility set forth in Matter of Hira, 11 I&N Dec. 824 

(BIA 1965, 1966; A.G. 1966), and reiterated in Matter of Camilleri, supra, rather than focusing on the nature of 

the activity to be performed by the applicant, which was, the Service maintains, the approach applied in Matter 

of Cote, supra, and Matter of Camilleri, supra. 

In his response on appeal, the applicant likens his job to that of a navigator on an airplane and stresses the 

importance of his function for the transport of goods in international commerce. In support of this position, the 

applicant points out that in Matter of R-, 3 I&N Dec. 750 (BIA 1949), a helper employed by a Canadian company 

on a moving van, coming to load and unload household goods, was found admissible because his position was 

equivalent to an operating crew member. The applicant also states that he has a home in Canada which he 

does not intend to abandon, that the bulk of his work and payment by his Canadian employer for his services 

occurs in Canada, and that each of his entries is clearly temporary, lasting for only a few hours of his shift, in 

contrast to the telegrapher in Matter of L-, supra, or the employee of a Canadian company in Matter of G-, 6 I&N 

Dec. 255 (BIA 1954), who worked full-time at his employer's facility in the United States as a receiving clerk and 

loader. 

Section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(B) (1982), defines a 

nonimmigrant visitor for business as an alien (other than one coming for the purpose of study or of performing 

skilled or unskilled labor or as a representative of foreign press, radio, film, or other foreign information media 

coming to engage in such vocation) having a residence in a foreign country which he has no intention of 

abandoning and who is visiting the United States temporarily for business. 

The term "business" as used in section 101(a)(15)(B) has been held not to include ordinary labor for hire, but to 

include only intercourse of a commercial character. See Karnuth v. United States ex rel. Albro, 279 U.S. 231 

(1929); Matter of Hira, supra; Matter of P-, 8 I&N Dec. 206 (BIA 1958). However, an alien need not be 

considered a "businessman" to qualify as a business visitor if the function he performs is a necessary incident to 

international trade or commerce. Matter of Hira, supra; see also Matter of W-, 6 I&N Dec. 832 (BIA 1955); 

Matter of R-, supra. 

Based upon our review of the record, we find that the applicant is engaged in "business" within the meaning of 

section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act because the function he performs is a necessary incident to international trade. 

Focusing on the applicant's activities, we find that the applicant is engaged in the transportation of goods across 

the international boundary. The functions which the applicant performs in his job as a railroad clerk in the 

United States are in many ways as crucial as the duties performed by the train engineer for the movement of the 

train and the transportation of goods across the border. The applicant is not precluded from establishing his 

admissibility by the fact that he is not a member of the train's operating crew. In Matter of R-, supra, the Board 

found admissible a helper on a moving van engaged in international commerce whose function was to load and 

unload goods, finding that he was equivalent to an operating crew member. In the present case, the applicant 

performs certain duties, such as the opening of cars for inspection purposes, which require his presence in the 

same way the presence of an operating crew is required for the movement of the train. We note that, although 

the applicant is precluded from riding the train as a member of the operating crew by traditional distinctions 

between a railroad's operating crew and its clerical support staff, he essentially escorts the train across the 

border, spending the bulk of his shift both in the United States and Canada clearing a particular train for 

transport across the border. Because the record shows the applicant performs duties without which the train 

would not physically be permitted to cross the international boundary, we do not find the distinctions between 

the train's operating crew and the applicant's clerical support functions controlling in the present case. 

In our consideration, we also do not find fatal to the applicant's request for admission the fact that his duties 

are performed on a regular and permanent basis at a fixed place of employment in the United States. The 

applicant does not spend his entire shift in the United States. Cf. Matter of G-, supra. It has also been held 

permissible to engage in duties in the same location in the United States on a routine (although not full-time) 

basis where such duties are an integral part of international transportation of goods. See Matter of W-, supra. 

We note that in Matter of L-, supra, a relief telegrapher for an international carrier who was regularly assigned to 

this country 2 days a week was precluded from entry to the United States because he engaged in work of a 

permanent and continuing nature, which was to be performed at a fixed place of employment pursuant to a 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 195 
regular assignment. In that case, however, it was not apparent that the applicant performed a duty of any 

significance for international transportation of goods. In the present case, we find it indisputable that the 

applicant is directly involved in the movement of goods across the international border. 

Because we find that the applicant is admissible as a nonimmigrant visitor for business, the appeal will be 

dismissed. 

ORDER: The appeal is dismissed. 

FOOTNOTES FOR INTERIM DECISION #3038 

1/ A consist is a list of all the cars on a train, their destination, and other information. 

2/ A waybill is the document on which a car moves. It contains the car numbers, cargo, destination, and 

other information. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 196 
Summaries of Precedent Decisions Relating to L-1 Petitions 

Matter of Bocris, 13 I&N Dec. 601. L-1 status approved despite the fact that the same petitioner had filed and 

received approval of a 6th preference visa petition on behalf of the same beneficiary for the same position. (This 

decision is often erroneously quoted as authorizing approval of L-1 petitions -which are temporary in nature -

even if the beneficiary is coming to the United States to assume a permanent position and seek immigrant 

status. Bocris was approved because the petitioner had previously been advised by the Service to file an 1-140 

on behalf of the beneficiary even though the petitioner did not seek his services permanently; the petitioner had 

been so instructed erroneously on the grounds that the position was permanent even though the beneficiary 

was not destined to be the ultimate "permanent" employee in the position.) 

Matter of Raulin, 13 I&N Dec. 618. A beneficiary, who, during her employment for the past two years as 

executive secretary to the vice president of a Paris subsidiary of the petitioner, maintained liaison with high 

government officials and presidents of the companies doing business with the petitioning company, possesses 

"specialized knowledge" and qualifies as L-1. 

Matter of Schick, 13 I&N Dec. 647. The beneficiary is found ineligible for L-1 classification because the 

relationship between the petitioning American company and the beneficiary's foreign employer is only a 

contractual agreement whereby the American company has a ten year commitment to buy equipment from the 

foreign business. There is no affiliate or subsidiary relationship, and the American company is not associated 

with the French company beyond its agreement to furnish and buy equipment for a period of time. 

Matter of Vaillancourt, 13 I&N Dec. 654. The petition is approved to classify the beneficiary as an L-1 coming 

to a managerial position when he had previously (immediate prior year) been employed in a capacity involving 

"specialized knowledge" which led to his promotion to the "managerial" position. 

Matter of Leblanc, 13 I&N Dec. 816. The statute does not require the beneficiary to be corning to an already 

existing office, branch, or other establishment of the foreign employer as long as there is a bona fide intent to 

acquire physical premises and open an office in the United States. (Note: this "intent to open a business" clause 

is not qualifying for approval of an immigrant visa petition -Form 1-140.) 

Matter of Continental Grain Company, 14 I&N Dec. 140. In reference to the 11one year immediately prior to 

filing" rule, a petition was approved on behalf of a beneficiary who was in the United States as a nonimmigrant 

H-3 trainee. Training was related to his qualifying employment with the foreign country and the "training" period 

was judged not interruptive of his employment abroad continuously the year prior to filing. 

Matter of Pozzoli, 14 I&N Dec. 569. The fact that the beneficiary's salary while in the United States will be paid 

by the foreign affiliate of the petitioning company does not preclude him from establishing eligibility for 

L-1 status. 

Matter of Del Mar Ben, Inc., 15 I&N Dec. 5. Mere ownership by the petitioning American corporation of stock in 

a Japanese corporation and an informal cooperative agreement between the presidents of the two companies 

does not render petitioner an affiliate or subsidiary of the foreign corporation and thereby does not allow 

beneficiary (employee of the Japanese business) intra-company transferee status. 

Matter of Chartier, 16 I&N Dec. 284. The petition seeking L-1 status is approved even though the petitioning 

employer (U.S. petitioner) has no affiliate or subsidiary abroad. The beneficiary had been employed by the 

petitioner abroad. (In this case there was a foreign subsidiary in a third country, but that fact was incidental to 

the decision which still found the beneficiary qualified as having been employed for the year immediately prior 

by the petitioner, through his rendering of "specialized knowledge" services to the petitioner's customers located 

in Canada.) 

Matter of Michelin Tire Corp., 17 I&N Dec. 248. The petition is denied because where a beneficiary seeks to 

enter in L-1 status classification based on specialized knowledge that knowledge must be relevant to the 

business itself. Beneficiary's specialized knowledge was in providing instruction as a teacher in French to 

employees of the French company while in the United States. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 197 
Matter of Aphrodite Investments, Ltd., 17 I&N Dec. 530. A corporation is a separate entity from its 

stockholders for the purpose of qualifying an alien beneficiary. (It is partly on the basis of this decision that many 

aliens actually petition for then-selves.) 

Matter of Hedrick, 17 I&N Dec. 571. To qualify for the "blanket labor certification" (e.g., for immigrant visa 

preference through Form 1-140), the beneficiary must be qualified to enter or have already entered the United 

States under section 101(a)(15)(L)(1), and the qualifying experience must have been with the international 

corporation while the beneficiary was outside the United States and immediately prior to seeking admission as 

an "intra-company transferee" immigrant. (Reaffirms that qualifying experience must be outside the U.S. and 

immediately prior to petition. 

Matter of Tessel, Inc., 17 I&N Dec. 631. The "affiliate/subsidiary" concept is established where there is a high 

degree of common ownership between the two companies, either directly or through a third party. An unsalaried 

appointed chairman of a corporation is an "employee" in a managerial or executive position for Schedule A ' 

Group IV labor certification purposes. The corporation is a separate legal entity from its stockholders, able to 

"employ" then and to file a petition on their behalf. (Augments Matter of Aphrodite Investments.) 

Matter of Barsai, 18 I&N Dec. 13. A foreign firm may qualify as a subsidiary/affiliate even if it is a branch of a 

foreign government. (Beneficiary worked for a socialist medical supply firm run by the Hungarian Government.) 

Matter of Penner, 18 I&N Dec. 49. Occupations so not inherently qualify a beneficiary foF-L-1 classification. 

The Service looks for elements beyond general job tasks and duties; in other words, the specialized knowledge 

related to the proprietary interests of the business, its management, and concerned skills or knowledge not 

readily found in the job market. This decision interprets Matter of Vaillancourt, Matter of Raulin, and Matter of Le 

Blanc. 

Matter of Colley, et al. , 18 I&N 117. Most employees today are specialists and have been trained and given 

specialized knowledge; however, it cannot be concluded that all employees with specialized knowledge or 

performing highly technical duties are eligible for classification as intra-company transferee. 

Matter of Hughes, 18 I&N Dec. 289. Affiliation exists between two companies when the petitioning company 

has a 50 percent financial interest in the foreign company, has de facto control over the foreign company, and 

the foreign company exists solely to sell the petitioner's product. Affiliation is based upon both ownership and 

control. ownership need not be majority if control exists. Affiliation exists between two companies which have no 

direct linkage but are directed, controlled, and at the least partially owned by the same parent organization. The 

term "subsidiary" is a more specific form of affiliation in which the company so described is subordinate to the 

control of another. 

Matter of Kloeti, 18 I&N Dec. 295. A beneficiary cannot qualify as an L-1 when the beneficiary's only previous 

experience for the petitioning firm was as a B-1 nonimmigrant. 

Matter of Siemens Medical System, Inc., ID 3008, (Com., March 1986). Where each of two corporations 

(parents) owns and controls 50 percent of a third corporation (joint venture), the joint venture is a subsidiary of 

each of the parents for purposes of section 101(a)(15) (L). Matter of Hughes clarified. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 198 
INTERIM DECISION #3008: MATTER OF SIEMEN'S MEDICAL SYSTEMS 

Volume 19 (Page 362) 

MATTER OF SIEMENS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. 

In Visa Petition Proceedings 

DEN-N-8540 

Decided by Commissioner March 31, 1986 

(1) Where each of two corporations (parents) owns and controls 50 percent of a third corporation (joint venture), 

the joint venture is a subsidiary of each of the parents for purposes of section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration 

and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(L) (1982). Matter of Hughes, 18 I&N Dec. 289 (Comm. 1982) 

clarified. 

(2) Each parent, through ownership and control of 50 percent of the voting shares of the joint venture, has the 

power to prevent action by that company through exercise of its veto power; hence, each parent "negatively" 

controls that company. 

(3) All agreements between the parents relating to voting of the shares, distribution of profits, management and 

direction of the subsidiary, and similar factors which affect actual control over 50 percent of the subsidiary must 

be identified. Unless such agreements restrict the actual control of one parent, the 50-percent ownership will be 

deemed per se control. 

ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: Martin R. Greenberg, Esquire 

60 East 42nd Street 

New York, New York 10165 

This appeal is before the Commissioner from the February 27, 1985, decision of the district director denying 

the visa petition to classify the beneficiary under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 

U.S.C. § 1l01(a)(15)(L) (1982). The district director found that the petitioner had failed to establish an affiliation 

with the beneficiary's foreign employer. The appeal will be sustained. 

I. FACTS 

The petitioner, Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., seeks to classify the beneficiary as an intracompany transferee 

under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act to enable the beneficiary to provide services as a senior technical 

representative for medical x-ray equipment for its operation in the United States. Section 101(a)(15)(L) requires 

the beneficiary to be coming to the United States to continue employment in a managerial, executive, or 

specialized knowledge capacity with the same employer, its parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate with which the 

beneficiary was continuously employed abroad for the immediate prior year. 

The petitioner is a United States wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG, a multinational corporation 

headquartered in West Germany, and is involved in the development and sale of medical and dental equipment 

and systems. The beneficiary was employed as an x-ray engineer by wholly-owned subsidiaries of Siemens AG 

from 1975 until 1982. In July 1982, the beneficiary was transferred to Hospitalia International GmbH, a 50-50 

joint venture between Siemens AG and Phillips International, to work on an x-ray maintenance project at King 

Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan. After the project terminated in January 1985, he was reassigned to 

Siemens AG headquarters. 

II. CASE HISTORY, DECISION, AND APPEAL 

The petition was filed on February 14, 1985. On February 27, 1985, the district director denied the petition 

after determining, following Matter of Hughes, 18 I&N Dec. 289 (Comm. 1982), that the petitioner submitted no 

evidence that Siemens AG controls Hospitalia International and, therefore, failed to establish that affiliation 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 199 
exists between Siemens Medical Systems and Hospitalia International. On April 15, 1985, the petitioner filed a 

motion to reopen and reconsider in which it argued that the beneficiary's identity as an employee of Siemens AG 

was not terminated or otherwise affected by his assignment to Hospitalia. The district director denied the 

motion, noting that there is nothing in the record to indicate that the beneficiary should be considered an 

employee of Siemens during the time he was at Hospitalia; nor is there evidence that Siemens exercises control 

over the management or policies of Hospitalia, which is required for affiliation. 

On appeal, the petitioner contends that a qualifying affiliation under the statute exists between itself and 

Hospitalia through Siemens AG and makes the following argument: 

Control does not nor should not mean total control. In the case at hand, it has previously been 

documented that Siemens AG supplies most of the technical personnel to Hospitalia International and owns 

50% of the assets and 50% of the outstanding shares of stock in Hospitalia International. These three items, as 

indicated in the above section, should be sufficient to show control in order to establish affiliation as is defined 

under the immigration laws. However, it should be further noted that Siemens AG also participates in profits 

from Hospitalia International on a 50-50 basis; Hospitalia International's board of directors is comprised by 50% 

of people from Siemens AG; Hospitalia International does not manufacture equipment, but installs all 

necessities used in hospitals--to wit, beds, x-ray machinery, and other diagnostic equipment. The medical 

equipment used by Hospitalia International in the equipping of these hospitals is manufactured by Siemens AG. 

The petitioner also notes that the beneficiary's identity as an employee of Siemens AG remained constant 

despite the beneficiary's assignment to Hospitalia. When the beneficiary went to Hospitalia International, he 

was assigned by Siemens AG and did not seek employment with Hospitalia International on his own volition 

and, at the end of his term with Hospitalia International, remained an employee of Siemens AG. 

III. ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION 

Classification under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act requires consideration of several factors including, among 

others, whether or not there is a qualifying relationship between the petitioner and the entity from which the 

beneficiary will be transferred; whether or not the beneficiary has been employed abroad continuously for the 

immediate prior year in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity by a parent, branch, 

subsidiary, or affiliate of the petitioner; and whether the proposed employment in the United States will be in a 

qualifying capacity. 

A. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ENTITIES 

In this case, it must be established that there is a qualifying relationship between Siemens Medical Systems, 

Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens AG) and Hospitalia International GmbH (a 50-50 joint venture 

established by Siemens AG and Phillips International). 

The Service will accept the interpretation that a 50-50 joint venture creates a subsidiary relationship for 

purposes of section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act. Where each of two corporations (parents) owns and controls 50 

percent of a third corporation (joint venture), the joint venture is a subsidiary of each of the parents. There is no 

majority control, but where each parent through ownership and control of 50 percent of the voting shares of the 

joint venture has the power to prevent action by that company through exercise of its veto power, it "negatively" 

controls that company. That company is, therefore, properly regarded as a subsidiary of each parent. 

The petitioner has the burden of establishing that the parent owns and controls 50 percent of the claimed 

subsidiary. To enable the Service to determine whether de facto control exists, the petition must identify all 

agreements between the parents relating to voting of the shares, management and direction of the subsidiary, 

and similar factors which affect actual control over 50 percent of the subsidiary. Unless such agreements 

restrict actual control of one parent, the 50-percent ownership will be deemed per se control. 

The petitioner has provided sufficient evidence to establish that Hospitalia is a subsidiary of Siemens AG. The 

evidence shows that Siemens AG has de facto control over 50 percent of the voting shares. It jointly manages 

the joint venture, shares equally in its profits, and manufactures the equipment sold and installed by Hospitalia. 

Since Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Siemens AG, it is an affiliate of Hospitalia. The 

subsidiary and affiliate relationships in this case conform to the holdings of Matter of Hughes, supra, where it 

was held that (1) the term "subsidiary" is a more specific form of affiliation in which the company so described is 

subordinate to the control of another, and (2) the term "affiliate" is sometimes more specifically used to describe 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 200 
the relationship between two companies which have no direct linkage, but are directed, controlled, and at least 

partially owned by the same parent corporation. We conclude that there is a qualifying relationship for purposes 

of section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act between the petitioner and the beneficiary's employers abroad. 

B. BENEFICIARY'S EMPLOYMENT 

It is evident from the facts of the case that the beneficiary had been employed abroad continuously by 

subsidiaries of the same parent corporation since 1975 until his reassignment to that parent in January 1985. 

His employment was in a specialized knowledge capacity and the proposed employment in the United States 

will be in a specialized knowledge capacity. It has been established that the beneficiary's employment qualifies 

him for classification under section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Act. 

ORDER: The appeal is sustained. The decision of the district director is withdrawn and the petition is 

approved. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 201 
INTERIM DECISION #3052: MATTER OF CHURCH SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 

Volume 19 (Page 593) 

MATTER OF CHURCH SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 

In Visa Petition Proceedings 

A-26781336 

Decided by Commissioner March 15, 1988 

(1) A person seeking a Schedule A, Group IV, labor certification

must meet all eligibility requirements for "L-1" classification as a manager or executive, including those relating

to a qualifying relationship between the entities for which the person has been and would be employed.

(2) In view of congressional intent that the "L-1" provisions be used for personnel transferred by international

businesses, any religious personnel who are able to meet all the same "L-1" requirements which apply to

business or other personnel may be granted "L-1" visas or Schedule A, Group IV, labor certifications.

(3) Ownership and control are the factors for establishing a qualifying relationship between entities for purposes

of "L-1" classification.

(4) Ownership refers to the direct or indirect legal right of possession of the assets of an entity with full power

and authority to control.

(5) Control means the direct or indirect legal right and authority to direct the establishment, management, and

operations of an entity.

ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: Jerald B. Serviss

Barst & Mukamal

One Wilshire Building

624 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2620

Los Angeles, California 90017

Mark A. Mancini

Wasserman, Mancini & Chang

1724 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

The director, Western Regional Service Center, denied the sixth-preference immigrant visa petition and certified 

his decision to the Commissioner for review. The Commissioner affirmed the director's decision. 

Counsel now moves the matter be reconsidered. The matter will be reconsidered. The decisions of the 

director and the Commissioner will be affirmed. 

The petitioner is the Mother Church of the Church of Scientology. It seeks the beneficiary's services as an 

establishment executive. 

The petitioner claims the beneficiary is eligible for a Schedule A, Group IV, labor certification under 20 C.F.R. § 

656.10(d)(1) (1988). That regulation relates to an alien in the United States who was admitted to the United 

States to work in, and is currently working in, a managerial or executive position with the same international 

corporation or organization with which he or she was continuously working as a manager or executive for 1 year 

immediately prior to admission. For 1 year prior to her admission to the United States, the beneficiary worked 

as a deputy commanding officer for tours for the Church of Scientology, Inc. in Sydney, Australia. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 202 
 The director and the Commissioner both determined the beneficiary does not qualify for a Schedule A, Group 

IV, labor certification. This is based on their findings that the United States and foreign entities are not part of 

the same inter- national corporation or organization for purposes of such a labor certification. 

Counsel seeks reconsideration on the following four grounds: 

(1) The petitioner (the Mother Church of a hierarchical religion) and the foreign entity (another church of the 

same religion) satisfy the requirements of a qualifying affiliate relationship because of the nature of 

ecclesiastical control in a hierarchical religion. 

(2) The test and standards of proof applied to the petitioner are arbitrary and capricious. 

(3) Denial of the petition constitutes religious discrimination in violation of the due process and equal 

protection clauses of the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution. 

(4) Denial of the petition violates the first amendment to the Constitution. 

Although the beneficiary was found ineligible for a Schedule A, Group IV, labor certification on the ground that 

the United States and foreign entities are not part of the same inter- national corporation or organization, there is 

another issue in this proceeding which was not previously explored. This issue is whether or not the beneficiary 

is eligible for such a labor certification as a manager or executive. Each issue will be addressed separately. 

QUALIFYING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES 

AND FOREIGN ENTITIES 

Applicability of "L-1" standards to Schedule A, Group IV 

A person seeking a Schedule A, Group IV, labor certification must meet all eligibility requirements for "L-1" 

nonimmigrant intra-company transferee classification as a manager or executive pursuant to section 

101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(L) (1982), including 

those relating to a qualifying relationship between the entities for which the person has been and would be 

employed. Title 20 C.F.R. § 656.22(f)(1) (1988) states: 

Aliens seeking labor certifications under Group IV of Schedule A shall meet, at the time of filing the application, 

the eligibility requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act for an L-1 nonimmigrant visa classification as a 

manager or an executive. 

Similarly, the Department of Labor's Technical Assistance Guide, No. 656, Labor Certifications (1981) ("TAG"), 

provides on pages 14 and 15: 

The only aliens who qualify for Group IV of Schedule A are those in executive or managerial positions 

who can qualify to enter the United States under an "(L)" visa. 

In an advisory opinion dated January 10, 1986, contained in the record of proceeding, the Department of Labor 

reasserts its view that this is the correct standard for Schedule A, Group IV. 

Criteria for a qualifying relationship between entities 

Case law has confirmed that ownership and control are the factors for establishing a qualifying relationship 

between United States and foreign entities for purposes of "L-1" classification. Matter of Siemens Medical 

Systems, Inc., 19 I&N Dec. 362 (Comm. 1986); Matter of Hughes, 18 I&N Dec. 289 (Comm. 1982); see also 

Matter of Tessel, Inc., 17 I&N Dec. 631 (Acting Assoc. Comm. 1981). Accordingly, to establish the existence of 

such a relationship, a petitioner must demonstrate ownership and control. 

Ownership refers to the direct or indirect legal right of possession of the assets of an entity with full power and 

authority to control. Control means the direct or indirect legal right and authority to direct the establishment, 

management, and operations of an entity. See the definitions of the terms "ownership" and "control" in the 

Immigration and Naturalization Service Operations Instructions 214.2(l)(4). See also Matter of Hughes, supra. 

While an entity is usually in the form of a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship and is either a profit or 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 203 
nonprofit organization, the nature and form of the entity are not relevant. Johnson-Laird, Inc. v. INS, 537 F. 

Supp. 52 (D. Or. 1981). 

The ownership and control of both entities must be the same for a finding of a same employer, 

parent/subsidiary, or affiliate relationship, as required by the statute. In each case, the Service must determine 

whether the same individual(s) or organization owns enough of the assets of both entities to enable the 

individual(s) or organization to control the management and operations of both entities. 

Qualifying relationship between religious organizations 

The "L-1" classification was originally created for business, not religious, personnel. House of Representatives 

Report No. 91-851 (which accompanied Public Law 91-225 (1970) when the "L-1" provisions were first enacted 

into law) states the purpose of the "L-1" provisions is to facilitate the admission of "key personnel" and 

"managerial personnel" of international businesses. H.R. Rep. No. 851, 91st Cong, 2d Sess., reprinted in 1970 

U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News 2750. According to the report: 

This amendment would help eliminate problems now faced by American companies having offices 

abroad in transferring key personnel freely within the organization. This proposal would meet the objectives of 

American industry which has been seriously hampered in transferring personnel. 

Id. at 2754. 

The report, however, makes no mention of religious organizations. The Service does not believe that 

Congress intended "L-1" visas to be used by employees of religious organizations. There are other statutory 

and regulatory provisions to facilitate the entry of persons engaged in religious activities. 

Nonetheless, the lack of a provision for employees of religious organizations to obtain "L-1" visas does not 

preclude their obtaining these visas if they are otherwise qualified. The following interpretation of the 

Department of State specifically indicates they are allowed to do so: 

An organized religious, charitable, service, or other nonprofit organization is considered to be '. . . a firm 

or corporation or other legal entity or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof . . .' for purposes of section 101(a)(15)(L) 

of the Act. 

Vol. 9, Foreign Affairs Manual, Part II, 22 C.F.R. § 41.67 note 2.9 ("FAM"). 

The main thrust of counsel's argument is that a hierarchical religion such as that of the Church of Scientology, 

in which the Mother Church exercises control over the theology and doctrines of other Scientology churches, 

has the necessary qualifying relationship between its entities to meet the requirements for "L-1" classification. 

Counsel argues further that, since members of a religious organization, unlike stockholders in a business 

enterprise, do not own any property, ecclesiastical and doctrinal control, not ownership, should be the standard 

for determining whether or not there is a qualifying relationship between religious entities. 

Additionally, counsel submits a copy of an unpublished Service decision (NYC-N-109090) where a qualifying 

structural link between two separate Catholic religious orders was found for purposes of "L-1" classification 

based on the fact that the transfer of the beneficiary (a Roman Catholic nun) required and received the 

administrative approval of the Vatican bureaucracy. Counsel also notes the standards for determining qualifying 

relationships between entities have, in the past, varied from case to case. 

The Service, in the absence of any legislative history, regulations, or precedent decisions on the applicability to 

religious personnel of the "L-1" and Schedule A, Group IV, provisions, has been attempting to set standards and 

may have 

inadvertently rendered some inconsistent decisions. In spite of this, this Service is not required to approve 

applications or petitions where eligibility has not been demonstrated, merely because of prior approvals which 

may have been erroneous. Matter of Khan, 14 I&N Dec. 397 (BIA 1973), by extension; Matter of M-, 4 I&N Dec. 

532 (BIA 1951; BIA, A.G. 1952); see also Pearson v. Williams, 202 U.S. 281 (1906); Lazarescu v. United States, 

199 F.2d 898 (4th Cir. 1952); United States ex rel. Vajta v. Watkins, 179 F.2d 137 (2d Cir. 1950); Mannerfrid v. 

Brownell, 145 F. Supp. 55 (D.D.C.), aff'd, 238 F.2d 32 (D.C. Cir. 1956). 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 204 
 In view of the congressional intent that the "L-1" provisions be used for personnel transferred by international 

businesses, the only appropriate standards for determining "L-1" eligibility are those applied to businesses. 

Accordingly, this Service withdraws from the decision in NYC-N-109090 involving a Roman Catholic nun 

(mentioned above) and any other prior "L-1" or Schedule A, Group IV, decisions which apply other standards. 

Since personnel of religious organizations are not precluded from obtaining "L-1" visas or Schedule A, Group IV, 

labor certifications, any religious personnel who are able to meet the same "L-1" requirements which apply to 

business or other personnel may be granted these benefits. 

With reference to NYC-N-109090, it should be noted that evidence of the Vatican's administrative approval of 

the beneficiary's transfer, in and of itself, does not establish the existence of a qualifying relationship between 

the two religious orders. Based upon a review of the narrative decision only and without reference to the record 

of proceeding in that case, it is not possible to determine whether or not the petition met the standards 

articulated here for a qualifying relationship between the relevant entities. 

Applying the same standards to all business, religious, and other personnel is the only fair way to adjudicate 

"L-1" and Schedule A, Group IV, cases. These standards apply equally to personnel of all religions (whether 

newly established or older) seeking the benefits in question. 

Type of qualifying relationship claimed in this proceeding 

The Immigration and Nationality Act does not define the terms "subsidiary" and "affiliate," but new "L-1" 

regulations defining these terms went into effect March 30, 1987, after this petition was filed. The new 

regulations do not reflect a change in Service policy. They merely codify definitions already set forth in 

administrative case law. See Matter of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., supra; Matter of Hughes, supra. 

Title 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(K) (1988), effective March 30, 1987, states: 

'Subsidiary' means a firm, corporation, or other legal entity of which a parent owns, directly or indirectly, 

more than half of the entity and controls the entity; or owns, directly or indirectly, 50% of a 50-50 joint venture 

and has equal control and veto power; or owns, directly or indirectly, less than half of the entity, but in fact 

controls the entity. 

Title 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(L) (1988) states: 

'Affiliate' means one of two subsidiaries both of which are owned and controlled by the same parent or 

individual or one of two legal entities owned and controlled by the same group of individuals, each individual 

owning and controlling approximately the same share or proportion of each entity. 

The record in this proceeding attempts to establish the existence of an affiliate relationship between the 

petitioning Mother Church and the foreign entity. Since it is asserted that the Mother Church controls the 

subordinate foreign entity in Australia, the actual question in this case is whether a parent/subsidiary relationship 

exists. 

Counsel's citations from the TAG and FAM 

In a brief dated August 16, 1985, counsel argues the United States and foreign entities constitute a qualifying 

association within the meaning of the following discussion of Schedule A, Group IV, on page 13 of the TAG: 

For Group IV purposes, corporations and organizations shall also include associations, firms, 

partnerships, joint ventures, joint stock companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries, but shall not include relationships 

which are only licensor-licensee or franchisor-franchisee. 

This citation from the TAG explains the types of entities which may have qualifying relationships. It does not 

mean that all such entities qualify for purposes of Schedule A, Group IV. Furthermore, the Commissioner's 

decision found no evidence establishing the existence of a qualifying association. 

In the brief dated August 16, 1985, and in the motion to reconsider, counsel advances the argument that the 

United States and foreign entities in question, as "an organized religious . . . organization," are part of the same 

international organization within the meaning of the State Department interpretation from the FAM cited 

previously. In the motion, counsel takes issue with the Commissioner's conclusion that components of 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 205 
international churches have qualifying relationships no more automatically than do components of international 

commercial enterprises. Counsel argues the FAM merely requires the religious, charitable, or service 

organization to be organized. According to counsel, if the organization is organized, no further examination is 

necessary to determine affiliation. 

Nevertheless, as in the case of the above citation from the TAG, the excerpt from the FAM simply explains that 

religious, charitable, and service organizations may have qualifying relationships for purposes of "L-1" 

nonimmigrant intra-company transferee classification. It does not mean that all organizations of this type qualify 

for purposes of "L-1" and Schedule A, Group IV, benefits. 

The Church of Scientology and the Roman Catholic Church 

Counsel asserts the hierarchical structure of the Church of Scientology is similar to, if not identical to, that of 

other longer established hierarchical religions, where the Service has recognized qualifying relationships 

between entities for purposes of "L-1" classification. Specifically, counsel asserts "the parallels between the 

Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Scientology are particularly strong." While the Mother Church of 

Scientology controls the doctrine and theology of local Scientology churches, review of the evidence in the 

record does not support counsel's proposition. 

The Church of Scientology does exhibit some of the same characteristics as the Roman Catholic Church. Both 

religions have similar structures in that both have separately incorporated individual units. Both also have 

hierarchies consisting of nonprofit entities. Consequently, neither has stock ownership or accrual of profits. In 

spite of these similarities, the two hierarchies must be compared with profit-making organizations in many other 

respects in order to determine ownership of assets and control of the entities. 

The petitioner has submitted, as a sample of a typical incorporation in the Roman Catholic Church, a copy of 

an amendment of the articles of incorporation of a Roman Catholic bishop (designated as a corporation sole) 

changing its jurisdiction and changing its name to that of an archbishop. Comparison of this document with a 

copy of the constitution and general rules of a typical Scientology church reflects markedly different control of 

the subordinate entities. 

The sample document indicates that a Roman Catholic bishop or archbishop incorporates a diocese or 

archdiocese on authority and under order or proclamation of the Pope. The Pope has sole authority to appoint 

or remove the bishop or archbishop. It is the Pope who entrusts the bishop or archbishop with the corporate 

powers to manage and operate the diocese or archdiocese under rules, regulations, and disciplines of the 

Roman Catholic Church, just as the parent corporation of a business enterprise appoints a board of directors to 

manage and operate its subsidiaries according to its rules, regulations, and philosophy. In addition, the Pope 

has authority to change jurisdictions and names of dioceses and archdioceses and to create new ones. 

Thus, not only does the Pope have control over theological doctrines, but he also has control over the assets, 

management, and operations of each diocese or archdiocese, as well as control over bishops and archbishops. 

A bishop or archbishop, as shown in the sample document, is designated as a corporation sole. Therefore, the 

Pope also indirectly owns the assets of the diocese or archdiocese. 

Black's Law Dictionary (5th ed. 1979) states: 

A corporation sole is one consisting of one person only, and his successors in some particular station, 

who are incorporated by law in order to give them some legal capacities and advantages, particularly that of 

perpetuity, which in their natural persons they could not have had. 

The sample document reflects that a bishop or archbishop (the corporation sole) is "authorized to hold, own 

and administer properties." Since the Pope may appoint, promote, or remove the person who is designated as 

the corporation sole or change his jurisdiction, the Pope indirectly owns the corporation sole's property. 

On the other hand, the foreign entity (local church) in Australia in this case is subject only to the theological 

and doctrinal control of the petitioning Mother Church. Although a trustee must be a duly ordained minister of 

Scientology in good standing with the Mother Church, whose tenure may be terminated for failure to continue in 

this status, the members of the Board of Trustees of the foreign entity are elected by local church members or 

other trustees. They manage the foreign entity's own affairs and elect other church officers. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 206 
 While the foreign entity must follow the doctrines of the Mother Church and contract with it for trademarks, 

products, literature, and services used in the practice of Scientology, there is a major distinction between its 

theological and corporate relationship with the Mother Church. Unlike the Roman Catholic hierarchy, where the 

Pope alone has the authority to create and change jurisdictions of dioceses and archdioceses, the foreign entity 

can be dissolved by a majority of four-fifths of the votes at a general meeting. 

Notwithstanding counsel's assertion that all religious organizations are based on voluntary participation, the 

Church of Scientology in Sydney, Australia, according to its constitution and general rules, is bound by the 

hierarchical structure of the international organization only through a voluntary and self-determined agreement 

which is not present in the Roman Catholic Church. Such an agreement does not establish control of one entity 

by the other. 

Similarly, notwithstanding counsel's assertion to the contrary, approval by the Mother Church of transfers of 

personnel from one church entity to another, in and of itself, does not establish the existence of a qualifying 

relationship between entities. As noted above, this is equally true in the case of the Roman Catholic nun (NYCN-109090), discussed previously. 

In addition, the agreement for services between the Mother Church and the foreign entity clearly provides for 

binding arbitration, under the auspices of the Los Angeles office of the American Arbitration Association, of 

disputes between the two entities. The license agreement between them also provides for arbitration. In the 

Roman Catholic Church, however, the Pope is the supreme pastor, supreme legislator, and supreme judge. 

Other distinctions between the Church of Scientology and the Roman Catholic Church are that, unlike the 

Roman Catholic Church, the Mother Church of Scientology does not own, either directly or indirectly, or control 

any of the assets of the foreign entity. Moreover, the Mother Church does not ordain local church ministers. 

Rather, the assets are owned locally and ordinations are performed, and may be revoked, by the local church. 

Accordingly, the petitioning Mother Church clearly does not own or have the ultimate legal right to control the 

local church. 

The relationship between the Mother Church and the foreign entity is, in business terms, that of a 

franchisor/franchisee, not a parent/subsidiary relationship. According to Black's Law Dictionary: 

In its simplest terms, a franchise is a license from [the] owner of a trademark or trade name permitting 

another to sell a product or service under that name or mark. More broadly stated, a 'franchise' has evolved into 

an elaborate agreement under which the franchisee undertakes to conduct a business or sell a product or 

service in accordance with methods and procedures prescribed by the franchisor, and the franchisor undertakes 

to assist the franchisee through advertising, promotion, and other advisory services. 

In this case, the petitioning Mother Church provides continuous religious guidance to the local church, gives 

training to its ministers, and ensures the standardization of its doctrines and practices, much as a franchisor in 

the business world would guide, give training to and regulate a franchisee. The local church, which is locally 

owned and solely responsible for acquiring trustees and church officers and managing its affairs, may likewise 

be compared with the independently owned business of a franchisee. 

The Mother Church and the foreign entity are joined by a license agreement and an agreement for services. 

The Mother Church and the religious Technology Center (another Scientology organization) own and control, by 

trademarks and service marks, the products, literature, and services used in the practice of Scientology. The 

Mother Church and the Religious Technology Center permit the foreign entity to use them under the terms of a 

license. A contractual relationship of this type is not considered to be a qualifying relationship for purposes of 

"L-1" classification. See Matter of Schick, 13 I&N Dec. 647 (R.C. 1970). 

The above discussion cannot be construed to mean that there is a qualifying relationship between all 

organizations associated with the Roman Catholic Church, or that there is not a qualifying relationship between 

the Church of Scientology and its other associated organizations. Such a determination is made on a case-bycase basis after considering the petitioner's evidence of ownership and control. 

Test and standards of proof applied to the petitioner 

Counsel argues the test and standards of proof applied to the petitioner are arbitrary and capricious. In 

considering the nature of relationships between religious entities for purposes of "L-1" classification, the Service, 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 207 
while applying law and regulation equally, must examine organizational structure and relevant factors. As with 

nonreligious entities, this must be accomplished by reviewing the documentary evidence of record. 

In each case, all evidence must be evaluated, and there is no presumption of eligibility. The fact that some 

religious entities may be able to establish qualifying relationships while others are not able to do so may lead to 

the erroneous conclusion asserted by counsel that the findings are subjective opinions relating to individual 

petitioners. This is not the case. Varying opinions should be expected where diverse structures are found. 

The tests and standards of proof utilized in this proceeding have been clearly established through regulation 

and administrative case law, as discussed at length above. The record demonstrates that all due consideration 

has been accorded the petitioner in accordance with current Service policy. 

Constitutional issues 

Counsel also claims that denial of the petition raises constitutional issues. Counsel does not, however, claim 

that the statute is unconstitutional. Of course, the Service cannot pass upon the constitutionality of the statute it 

administers. Nevertheless, we can address questions relating to the constitutionality of its application. Since all 

petitioners who seek "L-1" or Schedule A, Group IV, benefits must qualify on the same basis regardless of their 

religion, no violation of the equal protection or due process clauses can be found. 

Counsel argues that the Service has denied the petitioner a mechanism for bringing its personnel to the United 

States, thereby violating the free exercise clause. The fact is the Service treats all religions the same. Whether 

or not religious employees qualify for "L-1" classification on merits not relating to religious preference or practice 

is a different matter. 

Counsel asserts that the Service's review of the petitioning religion's internal organization is a violation of the 

establishment clause. Matter of Brantigan, 11 I&N Dec. 493 (BIA 1966), holds that, in visa petition proceedings, 

the burden of proof to establish eligibility for the benefit sought rests with the petitioner. In carrying out its 

obligation to ensure compliance with the congressional intent of the immigration laws, the Service must examine 

the organizational structure of an entity seeking "L-1" or Schedule A, Group IV, benefits in order to determine 

whether or not it has met its burden of proof. This does not violate the establishment clause. 

MANAGERIAL OR EXECUTIVE CAPACITY 

As in the case of the definitions of the terms "subsidiary" and "affiliate," the new "L-1" regulations, effective 

March 30, 1987, define qualifying managerial and executive capacities. The definitions of "managerial capacity" 

and "executive capacity" also do not reflect a policy change. As noted on February 26, 1987, when the new 

regulations were published, "The standards included the proposed regulations were intended to clarify the 

Service's interpretation of the statute and current regulations, not to make a change in policy." 52 Fed. Reg. 

5739 (1987). 

Generally speaking, under either the old or new regulations, two factors identify a qualifying managerial or 

executive capacity, as defined in 8 C.F.R. §§ 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(A) and (B) (1987), now cited at 8 C.F.R. §§ 

214.2(l)(1)(ii)(B) and (C) (1988), and both must be present. First, the position must involve significant authority 

over generalized policy of an organization or a major subdivision of an organization. Second, the employee's 

duties must be primarily at the managerial or executive level. An employee who primarily performs the tasks 

necessary to produce a product or to provide services is not considered to be employed in a managerial or 

executive capacity. Moreover, a managerial or executive employee must have authority over day-to-day 

operations beyond the level normally vested in a first-line supervisor. 

Having discretionary authority and a managerial or executive title (such as establishment executive and deputy 

commanding officer for tours) does not, in and of itself, mean a person is employed in a managerial or executive 

capacity. Here, the beneficiary's positions for both the United States and foreign entities have managerial or 

executive titles and discretionary authority. 

While working for the foreign entity, the beneficiary was responsible for a staff of 20, including 2 division heads, 

but she also "wrote programs which she implemented" to ensure that Church policy was followed regarding 

"dissemination tours for Church expansion." This appears to be the function of a staff officer or specialist not 

usually performed by a manager or executive. In her current position with the petitioning United States entity, 

the beneficiary is responsible for running an entire division, but she supervises only five other employees. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 208 
 The record does not contain sufficiently detailed descriptions of the beneficiary's job duties, the job duties of 

her subordinates, and the organizational structures at her job sites to determine whether her employment is in a 

qualifying managerial or executive capacity. This issue was not raised in prior decisions. As the petition is 

otherwise not approvable, it does not need to be addressed further. It is simply noted for the record. 

CONCLUSION AND ORDER 

For the reasons discussed above, the decisions of the director and the Commissioner will be affirmed. This 

action is without prejudice to consideration of a new sixth-preference visa petition accompanied by a labor 

certification based upon a specific job offer pursuant to 20 C.F.R. § 656.21 (1988). 

This action also does not preclude a finding of a qualifying relationship between the petitioner and a foreign 

entity which it owns and controls. The Church of Scientology, as with all other religious or nonreligious 

organizations, may secure "L-1" or Schedule A, Group IV, benefits for its employees when all requirements of 

the statute and related regulations are met. 

ORDER: The decision of May 29, 1986, dismissing the appeal is affirmed. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 209 
INTERIM DECISION #3067: MATTER OF SANDOZ CROP PROTECTION 

Volume 19 (Page 666) 

MATTER OF SANDOZ CROP PROTECTION CORPORATION 

In Visa Petition Proceedings 

CHI-N-36181 

Decided by Commissioner May 20, 1988 

(1) Specialized knowledge involves proprietary knowledge and an advanced level of expertise not readily 

available in the United States job market. This knowledge and expertise must be clearly different from those 

held by others employed in the same or similar occupations. Different procedures are not a proprietary right 

within this context unless the entire system and philosophy behind the procedures are clearly different from 

those of other firms, they are relatively complex, and they are protected from disclosure to competition. 

(2) A petitioner's ownership of patented products or copyrighted works, in and of itself, does not establish that a 

particular employee has specialized knowledge. In order to qualify, the beneficiary must himself or herself be a 

key person with knowledge which is critical for performance of the job duties and which is protected from 

disclosure through patent, copyright, or company policy. 

ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER: Melvyn E. Stein, Esquire 

1 La Salle Street 

Chicago, Illinois 60602 

This is an appeal from the adverse decision of the director, Northern Regional Service Center. The appeal will 

be dismissed. 

The petitioner manufactures and sells crop protection chemicals. It seeks to classify the beneficiary as an "L1" intra-company transferee based upon its intent to employ him as a marketing manager. The beneficiary has 

been employed by the foreign enterprise as a sales representative. 

The director denied the petition on the ground that the petitioner had failed to establish the beneficiary qualifies 

for "L-1" classification as a person who has been and would continue working in a capacity involving specialized 

knowledge. 

On appeal, counsel asserts the beneficiary's knowledge of, and experience in, the marketing and sale of the 

petitioner's patented herbicide constitutes the necessary proprietary knowledge of a unique product to the 

specialized knowledge. According to counsel, the beneficiary's knowledge and skill are critical to the success of 

the petitioner's products in the United States. 

"L-1" eligibility requires that a petitioner establish a beneficiary has been employed outside the United States in 

a qualifying managerial or executive capacity, or in a capacity involving specialized knowledge, for a qualifying 

firm, for the year prior to the beneficiary's application for admission to the United States. The petitioner must 

also demonstrate the beneficiary will be immediately employed in a qualifying capacity. 

New regulations effective March 30, 1987, define "specialized knowledge." Specialized knowledge, as now 

described in 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(D) (1988), involves advanced knowledge and an advanced level of 

expertise not readily available in the United States job market, with the petitioner having a proprietary right to the 

knowledge or its product. The petitioner's proprietary interest must be such that the knowledge required is 

clearly different from that held by others employed in the same or similar occupations. Different procedures are 

not a proprietary right within this context unless the entire system and philosophy behind the procedures are 

clearly different from those of other firms, they are relatively complex, and they are protected from disclosure to 

competition. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 210 
 According to supplementary information published with the new regulations on February 26, 1987: 

It was the Service's intention to provide clearer standards for determining specialized knowledge. 

Although commenters would prefer to retain the definition in current regulations, the Service believes that a 

revision is appropriate to better articulate case law. 

52 Fed. Reg. 5740-41 (1987). 

Most employees today are specialists and have been trained and given special knowledge. Nevertheless, it 

cannot be concluded all employees with special knowledge or all employees performing highly technical duties 

are eligible for classification as intra-company transferees. Matter of Colley, et al., 18 I&N Dec. 117 (Comm. 

1981); Matter of Penner, 18 I&N Dec. 49 (Comm. 1982). "L-1" petitions for other than managers and executives 

may only be approved for "persons with specialized knowledge, not for skilled workers." Matter of Penner, 

supra, at 52. 

Both of the above precedent decisions cite the House of Representatives report which accompanied Public 

Law 91-225 (1970) when the "L-1" provisions were first enacted into law. H.R. Rep. No. 851, 91st Cong., 2d 

Sess. 2, reprinted in 1970 U.S. Code Cong. & Ad. News 2750, 2753-54. That report states the purpose of the 

"L-1" provisions is to facilitate the admission of "key personnel" and "managerial personnel." 

A petitioner's ownership of patented products and processes or copyrighted works, in and of itself, does not 

establish that a particular employee has specialized knowledge. In order to qualify, the beneficiary must be a 

key person with materially different knowledge and expertise which are critical for performance of the job duties; 

which are critical to, and relate exclusively to, the petitioner's proprietary interest; and which are protected from 

disclosure through patent, copyright, or company policy. 

The primary product the beneficiary has been marketing and selling in Canada is a specialized, patented 

herbicide agricultural chemical used to control broadleaf weeds. The petitioner argues the knowledge gained by 

the beneficiary managing two areas in Canada make him one of very few people able to market the herbicide for 

application to corn and wheat and for other specialized applications to pasture lands, fallow land, industrial 

vegetation, grass seed, and perennial weeds. According to the petitioner, the marketing of this herbicide 

requires a thorough knowledge of the product and the ability to communicate its use and effectiveness. 

The petitioner has not established that skills relating exclusively to its business are necessary for the 

beneficiary to perform his proposed duties of marketing this product. In fact, one of the beneficiary's duties is to 

communicate to customers the use and effectiveness of the patented product, and the petitioner has not 

established the beneficiary needs proprietary knowledge of the product to do this. 

In this proceeding, the petitioner has not established the beneficiary's knowledge is not related to common 

practices and is not readily available in the United States labor market. On the contrary, the beneficiary's 

knowledge of the sale and marketing of herbicides and the Canadian market is that normally expected of an 

employee in his position. It is not an advanced level of expertise which is materially different from that of others 

in similar positions employed by competitors. 

Matter of Brantigan, 11 I&N Dec. 493 (BIA 1966), holds, in visa petition proceedings, the burden of proof to 

establish eligibility for the benefit sought rests with the petitioner. Here, that burden has not been met. 

It is noted the record, as presently constituted, does not contain any evidence of a qualifying relationship 

between the United States and foreign enterprises. As the petition is otherwise not approvable, this issue does 

not need to be addressed further. 

ORDER: The appeal is dismissed. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 211 
SECTION TWELVE

CASE LAW SUMMARIES

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 212
Arctic Catering, Inc. v. Thornburgh, 769 F. Supp. 1167 (D. Colo. 1991) 

Facts: Petitioner sought a third preference for its general manager who had entered on an L Visa. He 

managed catering services at remote locations for oil developers and similar groups. He had two college 

degrees but neither was related to the job qualifications. The application was denied by INS for failure to meet 

either the degree requirement or special services test for a professional. 

Issue: Was the denial an abuse of discretion? 

Held: Yes, despite the fact that the agency interpretation of the statute was entitled to deference 

under Chevron. The court accepted the reasonableness of the job related degree requirement for a 

professional and the alternate of unique services required. It found an abuse of discretion in failing to indicate 

the comparisons it had relied on in stating that the managerial services provided the petitioning employer were 

not unique. The matter was remanded for reconsideration of the factual record with respect to the unique 

demands of the position. 

Elkins v. Moreno, 435 U.S. 647 (1978) 

Facts: Nonimmigrant alien students, each of whom was dependent on a parent who held a "G-4 visa", 

i.e., a nonimmigrant visa granted to all officers or employees of international treaty organizations and members 

of their immediate family, and each of whom was named in that visa, brought suit against the University of 

Maryland and its president, alleging that the university's refusal to grant them "in-state" status for tuition 

purposes violated the Fourteenth Amendment's due process and equal protection clauses. The District Court 

granted relief, but limited it to a declaration and injunction restraining the president from denying plaintiffs the 

opportunity to establish in-state status solely because of an "irrebuttable presumption of non-domicile." The 

Court of Appeals affirmed. 

Issue: Under federal law, can a G-4 alien form the intent necessary to allow him to change his 

domicile? 

Held: Yes. 

Although nonimmigrant aliens can generally be viewed as temporary visitors to the United States, the 

nonimmigrant classification is by no means homogeneous with respect to the terms on which a nonimmigrant 

enters the United States. For example, Congress expressly conditioned admission for some purposes on an 

intent not to abandon a foreign residence or, by implication, on an intent not to seek domicile in the United 

States. Thus, the 1952 Act defines a visitor to the United States as "an alien . . . having a residence in a foreign 

country which he has no intention of abandoning" and who is coming to the United States for business or 

pleasure. § 101(a) (15)(B). Similarly, a nonimmigrant student is defined as "an alien having a residence in a 

foreign country which he has no intention of abandoning . . . and who seeks to enter the United States 

temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing . . . a course of study . . . ." § 101(a)(15)(F). See also § 

101(a)(15)(C) (aliens in "immediate and continuous transit"); § 101(a)(15)(D) (vessel crewman "who intends to 

land temporarily"); § 101(a)(15)(H) (temporary worker having residence in foreign country "which he has no 

intention of abandoning"). 

By including restrictions on intent in the definition of some nonimmigrant classes, Congress must have meant 

aliens to be barred from these classes if their real purpose in coming to the United States was to immigrate 

permanently. Moreover, since a nonimmigrant alien who does not maintain the conditions attached to his status 

can be deported, see § 241(a)(9) of the 1952 Act, 66 Stat. 206, 8 U.S.C. § 1251(a)(9) (1976 ed.), it is also clear 

that Congress intended that, in the absence of an adjustment of status (discussed below), nonimmigrants in 

restricted classes who sought to establish domicile would be deported. 

But Congress did not restrict every nonimmigrant class. In particular, no restrictions on a nonimmigrant's intent 

were placed on aliens admitted under § 101(a)(15)(G)(iv). Since the 1952 Act was intended to be a 

comprehensive and complete code, the conclusion is therefore inescapable that, where as with the G-4 class 

Congress did not impose restrictions on intent, this was deliberate. Congress' silence is therefore pregnant, and 

we read it to mean that Congress, while anticipating that permanent immigration would normally occur through 

immigrant channels, was willing to allow nonrestricted nonimmigrant aliens to adopt the United States as their 

domicile. Congress' intent is confirmed by the regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 213 
provide that G-4 aliens are admitted for an indefinite period -- so long as they are recognized by the Secretary of 

State to be employees or officers (or immediate family members of such employees or officers) of an 

international treaty organization. See 8 CFR § 214.2(g) (1977); 1 C. Gordon & Rosenfield, Immigration Law and 

Procedure § 2.13b, p. 2-101 (rev. ed. 1977). Whether such an adoption would confer domicile in a State would, 

of course, be a question to be decided by the State. 

Under present law, therefore, were a G-4 alien to develop a subjective intent to stay indefinitely in the United 

States, he would be able to do so without violating either the 1952 Act, the Service's regulations, or the terms of 

his visa. Of course, should a G-4 alien terminate his employment with an international treaty organization, both 

he and his family would lose their G-4 status. Ibid. Nonetheless, such an alien would not necessarily be subject 

to deportation nor would he have to leave and re-enter the country in order to become an immigrant. 

[at 665-67, footnote omitted]. Since the question whether G-4 aliens can become Maryland domiciliaries is a 

matter of state law and potentially dispositive of this case, the question is certified to the Maryland Court of 

Appeals for determination. [at 668]. 

International Union of Bricklayers v. Meese, 616 F. Supp. 1387 (N.D. Cal. 1985) 

Facts: The plaintiff bricklayers union filed a suit for declaratory and injunctive relief, alleging that an 

INS Operating Instruction (O.I.) was contrary to the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) and was therefore 

invalid. Temporary visitor for business visas pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)((B) (B-1 visas) had been issued 

to West German employees of a firm whose equipment was purchased by a United States company. The aliens 

were admitted as temporary business visitors to complete fabrication of newly-designed gold processing system 

in the United States, as provided in the sale contract. Operating Instruction 214.5(b)(5) permitted the 

classification as B-1 non-immigrants of aliens who were to receive no salary from a United States source and 

were "coming to install, service, or repair commercial or industrial machinery purchased from a company outside 

the United States, provided: the contract of sale specifically requires the seller to perform such services or 

training, [and] the alien possesses specialized knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation . . . ." 

The union asserted that the foreign workers were not visitors for business, but rather, should have been 

classified as temporary workers under 8 U.S.C. § 1105(a)(15)(H)(ii). It claimed that the O.I. was contrary to the 

above statutes and to Congress' intent to protect United States workers, in that it permitted those aliens falling 

within the definition of "temporary worker" to be admitted without a labor certification. 

Issues: 1. Did the union have standing to challenge the Operating Instruction and visa issuance? 

2. Was the Operating Instruction invalid because it was contrary to the statues and intent of Congress? 

3. Could the injunctive relief be granted absent class certification? 

4. Should relief be granted only prospectively? 

Held: 1. Yes. The court found that the Union had standing to challenge the O.I. on behalf of its 

members. The decision contains a fairly thorough discussion of the standing issue. The court concluded that 

injury was adequately shown by the Union's allegations that its members had been deprived (1) of an 

opportunity to complete for employment without the threat of foreign competition, and (2) of the protection 

afforded by the labor certification procedure. The court also concluded that the plaintiffs' injuries were fairly 

traceable to the defendants' conduct. Taking a broad view, the court found that this requirement was satisfied 

because, absent the defendants' practices pursuant to the O.I., alien laborers would have been required to 

obtain H-2 visas and labor certifications. The court found that the plaintiffs' satisfied the third requirement that 

their injuries are likely to be redressed by the relief sought. As to the prudential element of standing, the court 

found that the union was not asserting the rights of others, but was raising its own legal rights and rights of its 

members. The court found the plaintiffs did not assert generalized grievances shared by a large class of 

citizens, but instead specific injuries. The court also found that the plaintiffs were within the zone of interests 

protected by the Act. Lastly, the court observed that standing had been found in a similar suit, International 

Union of Bricklayers v. Meese, 761 F.2d 798 (D.C. Cir. 1985). The court therefore concluded that plaintiffs had 

standing to sue. 

2. Yes. The court found the O.I. to be invalid. The court found that the O.I. is contrary to 8 

U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(B), which excludes from the B-1 classification an alien "coming for the purpose of . . . 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 214 
performing skilled or unskilled labor." The court further found that the O.I. ignores the provision of 8 U.S.C. § 

1101(a)(15)(H)(ii) concerning labor certifications and the availability of American workers. After reviewing the 

legislative history, the court observed that a central purpose of the Act was to protect American labor, and that 8 

U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(B) and 1101 (a)(15)(H)(ii) were intended to restrict the influx of foreign laborers. The court 

concluded that the O.I. was inconsistent with the language and legislative intent of the Act. 

3. Yes. The court rejected the government's argument that the injunctive relief sought could 

not be granted absent class certification. The court noted that this is a membership suit, and that declaratory 

and injunctive relief had been permitted in such suits without class certification. 

4. Relying on the test for non-retroactivity in Chevron Oil Co. v. Huson, 404 U.S. 97 106-07 

(1971), the court held that its ruling should not be applied retroactively. The court rejected the idea that nonretroactivity analysis is inappropriate in district court decisions, because the case involves declaratory and 

injunctive relief rather than damages. Cf. Kessler v. Associates Financial Services Co., 573 F.2d 577 (9th Cir. 

1977). The court declared the O.I. unlawful and issued a permanent injunction barring the issuance of B-1 visas 

under the O.I. 

International Union of Bricklayers v. Meese, 761 F.2d 798 (D.C. Cir. 1985) 

Facts: International and local unions and three members brought an action challenging an operating 

instruction for admission of business visitors in connection with the installation of a sawmill. The installer had 

brought in masons to assist in the construction. By the time of the district court decision the job was over and 

the workers were gone. Plaintiffs alleged one prior violation and a current project on the West Coast. The 

district court dismissed for want of jurisdiction, standing, and mootness. 

Issue: Did the court have jurisdiction? 

Held: Yes. The subject matter jurisdiction existed for the general claim of invalidity of the operating 

instruction. A pattern or practice as distinguished from individual adjudications are exempt from consular nonreviewability doctrine. The plaintiffs alleged injury in fact from interference from foreign workers. The plaintiffs 

were within the zone of protected classes Congress had in mind for protection of American labor. There was a 

sufficient threat of repetition to survive a claim of mootness. 

HQINS: NOVEMBER 1999 215