Source: https://bdzlaw.com/extension-of-tn-status/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 10:40:46+00:00

Document:
Individuals who currently hold TN visa status have two options to renew or extend that status. They can file an I-129 petition by mail, or depart the U.S. and request a new TN in the same manner as they obtained their initial TN visa status.
A citizen of Mexico or Canada may extend or renew his/her TN visa status by filing a petition by mail to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This process is known as an “extension of status” (EOS).
The EOS process eliminates the need for a TN visa worker to depart the U.S. and apply for a new TN at the border (Canadian citizens) or at the U.S. Embassy (Mexican citizens) in order to extend his/her employment authorization under TN visa status.
A TN visa worker may not take advantage of the I-129 petition Extension of Status process if he/she has failed to maintain TN visa status, or if the TN visa worker's I-94 has expired before the I-129 petition was filed. 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (h); 8 C.F.R. § 214.1 (c) (4) (2010).
In order to file an EOS I-129 petition, a TN visa worker must be physically present in the United States at the time of the filing of the extension of stay. 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (h) (1) (ii).
Petitions may be filed up to six months in advance of the proposed start date on the I-129.
In addition to the main components of a TN application, individuals must file Form I-129 along with the I-129 Free Trade Supplement.
TN visa workers must also submit proof of their current, valid TN visa status, e.g. I-94 records, visa stamps, and copies of recent pay stubs.
TN visa workers filing for an EOS by mail must have a passport that is valid at the time of filing the petition. Unlike the passport rules for applications at the border or at the U.S. consulate, the passport need not be valid for the full length of TN visa status sought. However, the worker must agree to otherwise maintain the validity of his or her passport. See 8 C.F.R. § 214.1 (a) (3).
If the I-129 petition is filed after an individual's TN I-94 record has expired, USCIS will normally deny the petition.
the worker is not the subject of removal (deportation) proceedings. 8 C.F.R. § 214.1 (c) (4) (2010).
The I-129 form with supporting documents is then filed with USCIS' Vermont Service Center (as of Oct. 3, 2014).
Currently, there is an average processing time of 2 months for this type of I-129 petition.
For an additional filing fee, an individual can apply for premium processing of his/her I-129 petition, and receive a decision on the petition within 15 calendar days.
Individuals can check the status of their petition at any time at USCIS' website by entering their receipt number where indicated. Applicants can also sign up through USCIS' website to receive email updates on their petition’s status.
A TN visa worker whose I-94 has expired, but who has filed a timely I-129 petition for an Extension of Status is allowed to continue working for the same employer for 240 days past the expiration date of his/her I-94. 8 C.F.R. 274a.12 (b)(20).
However, if USCIS adjudicates the I-129 petition prior to the expiration of this 240 day period and denies the petition for extension of stay, the employment authorization will automatically terminate upon notification of the denial decision.
Note: This provision providing employment authorization in this scenario applies only to EOS petitions, and is not available for individuals filing Change of Status petitions (e.g. from F-1 to TN visa status).
Employers must update the I-9 records of any TN visa workers relying on this 240 day rule for continued employment authorization.
If the I-129 extension petition is not approved by the date the TN visa worker’s current I-94 card expires, then the TN visa worker will lose his/her travel authorization. In this scenario, as described above the TN visa worker still has the authorization to remain in the U.S. and may continue employment for 240 days from the date the I-94 expired.
While a departure in this situation will not be considered an abandonment of the extension petition, because the worker's TN I-94 record has expired the individual would not be able to re-enter the U.S. in TN status.
If the TN visa worker departs the U.S. after the expiration of his/her I-94 card, the worker will need to either (a) wait for the pending petition to be approved before re-entering the U.S. (a valid TN visa stamp may be required for Mexicans); or (b) withdraw the I-129 petition and file a new application at the border (Canadians) or a DS-160 application at the U.S. consulate in Mexico (Mexicans).
Family members of TN visa workers may also file for an extension of their TD visa status by mail, but must use Form I-539.
Family members would need to submit copies of the same documentation utilized to establish their initial eligibility for TD visa status, as well as proof of their current TD status. See 8 C.F.R. § 214.1 (c) (1) (2010).
I-129 petitions: $460 (as of Aug. 2018).
I-129 petition premium processing (if needed): $1,225 (as of Aug. 2018).
I-539 application: $370 (as of Aug. 2018).
An approval for an extension of TN visa status requested through the USCIS Service Center is issued on Form I-797, which will include an I-94 tear-off form indicating the new validity period of TN status.
If approved, an extension of TN visa status may be authorized for up to 3 years. 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (h) (1) (iii).
There is no specific limit on the period of time an individual may remain in TN visa status as long as he/she continues to work in a TN occupational category, and meet the temporary entry requirements. 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (h) (1).
As an alternative to using Form I-129, TN visa workers may also "extend" their TN status by filing an application at the U.S. port-of-entry (Canadians) or at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
This process will generally involve the same steps and documentation required for an initial TN visa application.
Citizens of Mexico may be able to avoid the interview requirement in certain scenarios when renewing their TN visa stamps at the U.S. Embassy/Waiver.

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