The term “TN” stands for Trade-NAFTA. The TN visa is available to eligible Mexicans and Canadians with at least a bachelor’s degree or appropriate professional credentials who seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in certain qualified fields pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Examples include, but are not limited to, accountants, engineers, attorneys, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.

No Annual Cap
There is no annual limit on the number of TN admissions to the United States. A single individual may enter the United States in TN status multiple times per year.

Dependents of TN Nonimmigrants
Spouses and children may be granted nonimmigrant status as a NAFTA dependent (TD) and may be admitted to the U.S. However, they may not work.

How Canadian citizens may obtain the TN nonimmigrant Classification
Canadian citizens may obtain the TN nonimmigrant classification by requesting admission as TN workers at a U.S. port of entry. They must, however, provide the following:

* Proof of citizenship

* A letter from their prospective employer detailing items such as professional capacity, purpose, length of stay, and educational qualifications

* They may also need to provide credential evaluations.

Subsequent to an inspection by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, an eligible Canadian citizen will be admitted as a TN nonimmigrant with a Form I-94 as evidence of such admission. Canadian citizens are therefore not required to apply for a visa with a U.S. consulate or file a petition with USCIS.

How Mexican citizens may obtain the TN nonimmigrant classification

Mexican citizens require a visa to enter the United States in the TN nonimmigrant classification. They do not need to file a petition with the USCIS. As such, Mexican citizens should apply for a TN visa directly at a U.S. consulate in Mexico and show:

* Proof of citizenship

* A letter from their prospective employer detailing items such as the professional capacity in which they will work in the U.S., the purpose of their employment, their length of stay, and their educational qualifications.

* They may also need to provide credential evaluations.

Then, TN visa holders may apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry, and if found qualified by a CBP inspector, they will be issued a “multiple entry” Form I-94 (as in the case of qualified Canadian citizens), indicating that that person has been admitted as a TN nonimmigrant.

Maximum period of time a TN nonimmigrant may remain in the U.S.

As one of the 26 initiatives identified by President Bush’s Administration to address current immigration challenges, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased the maximum period of time a TN professional worker from Canada or Mexico may remain in the United States before seeking readmission or obtaining an extension of stay.

This rule changes the initial period of admission for TN workers from one year to three years, which is equal to the initial period of admission given to H-1B professional workers.

TN nonimmigrants who qualify may now be allowed to receive extensions of stay in increments of up to three years instead of the prior maximum period of stay of one year. Spouses and unmarried minor children of TN nonimmigrants in their corresponding nonimmigrant classifications will also benefit from the new rule.

The rule will ease administrative burdens and costs on TN workers. It will also benefit U.S. employers by increasing the amount of time TN nonimmigrants will be able to work for them before having to seek an extension of status.

As such, it will provide for a more stable and predictable workforce for TN employers, it will make the TN program more attractive to Canadian or Mexican employers and professionals who might otherwise be required to seek admission under the capped H-1B program, thereby possibly freeing up H-1B visa slots for other professional workers, and it will reduce the cost and bureaucratic inconvenience to TN workers of extending status by requiring application for readmission or extension only once every three years instead of annually.

Eli Kantor is an attorney in private practice in Beverly Hills, CA representing employers in all aspects of labor, employment and immigration law. For more information contact Eli at (310) 274-8216 or visit his websites: Sexual Harassment Prevention and Beverly Hills Immigration Law.

Protective safety equipment is essential for any working environment where equipment, machinery or the risk of injury exists. It is a commonly overlooked part of site maintenance and care. Providing personal protective equipment, usually referred to as PPE is necessary for any workplace. The range of PPE available is extensive and it’s important to consider which areas of the body your staff or workforce need protecting before purchasing your clothing.

Starting at the top of the body, helmets are an obvious requirement on any construction site. The risk of falling objects is apparent and this means that it is clearly necessary for helmets to be provided. Helmets are of standard issue, but can be modified or have accessories added depending on requirements.

Insulated hats should also be made available where your workforce is exposed to the cold. Masks are another important piece of protective equipment for the head. These can contain different levels of filter but should always be used on sites where dust or filaments are prevalent. Air-purifiers can also be used and these are an excellent way to ensure no breathing difficulties are encountered. Eye Protection is also essential as an offering. Goggles or full face masks are two options, but UV glasses can also be used when work is taking place in bright sunlight or other rays are magnified whether harmful or not.

Hearing protection is an essential part of any work that involves heavy machinery or a working environment where loud noises or machinery exist. Ear damage is a common problem in workforces, and providing the appropriate equipment is essential if you are going to avoid personnel suffering. To do this, it is recommended that you provide Ear muffs, Earplugs, Ear defenders or Ear pads - whichever is the most appropriate for the situation or perhaps a combination of several.

Where lifting occurs on site, be sure to provide all the required support for your team. This includes arm and shoulder protection. The variety available is extensive and includes shoulder pads, hand guards, forearm guards, fist guards, knuckle guards, wrist guards, elbow guards, elbow padding, and hand and wrist straps. From this selection, it is important to choose the most suitable protective clothing for the job. For example, lifting and moving mid-sized rocks would require hand and forearm protection.

The most common type of protective footwear are the steel toe boots. Protective footwear also includes clogs and hobnailed boots. All are important where there is a risk of falling objects, or the work environment involves uneven surfaces.

Other types of protective equipment includes clothing. In its simplest form, this can mean something like high visibility clothing, or protective overalls. Where there is a health and safety risk, consideration must be given to the type of clothing or equipment that is required.

David Whelan writes for SafetyShop, an online store where you can purchase an extensive range of protective clothing and safety signs, as well as other safety equipment.