TN Renewals by Mail (Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba, or Minnesota.

General:
Certain statuses, such as a TN and TD statuses can be renewed by mail.  Even though by its nature, the TN status is only good for one year, you can in fact have this date "extended" by one year increments indefinitely by mail.  Specifically, the following statuses can be renewed in this manner:  E, H, L, O, P, Q, R, F-1, M-1, C, D, K, J-1, and of course the one that we are interested in, the TN-1 status (and the TD status, if applicable).  During the application process, which takes anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks, the applicant must physically remain in the United States until the petition has been adjudicated.  Visiting Canada or another country may invalidate the application process.

Once you have sent off the application, and the if correct funds were sent, you can monitor the process by checking a "case number" that will be found on the back of the cancelled check. For Lincoln, this will be a number in the format "LIN##########". To check the status, call (NEW NUMBER) (402) 323-7830. Punch in the LIN number when prompted (punch "546" for "LIN"). This is an automated system, prone to continuous busy signals. Best to call late in the evening or night.

There are many advantages of renewing by mail, namely:

• Complete the process without having to physically return to a Canada/USA border crossing.
• Your credentials are rarely re-evaluated to see if you qualify for your TN status again, except for your new offer letter (that's always fun, no?). However, your credentials are subject to re-evaluation. One of the major differences is that the people extending TNs are doing this day after day ... it is their continuous JOB to know what is and isn't valid as a TN, unlike the POE INS officer who sees a relatively few TNs per week with hundreds of other people he's trying to keep out every day.
• Your new I-94's effective date is the day immediately after your old I-94 expires and is good for another 364 full days.  If you did an in-person border renewal 1 month early (for example), your old I-94 is chucked out, and a new one issued from the date of application.
• For certain professions, such as those in the medical field (ex: Physiotherapists), the I-94 (TN status) is only valid when applying in person for 6 months.  When you mail it in, the extension is for 1 full year.
• Because the extension must be applied for by the employer, chances are they will be paying for it, not you.
• Mail-in extensions of a TN status are rarely rejected, where as an in-person border renewal must be re-evaluated with your offer letter, education, experience, etc, and can actually be rejected depending on the time of day, moon phase, and season.
  

A couple of known disadvantages are:

• The mail-in process is only good for renewals of a TN or TD status.  You must already have an existing VALID TN or TD status (or other status as per your I-94 card) to use this process  You can not get a brand new TN or TD status using this process. If your current TN has expired before sending of your renewal application, you are no longer "in status" and are in fact illegally in the USA. Return to the Canada/USA border instead, and obtain a NEW TN status.
• The process takes (according to INS) about 45 days to complete.  To be sure, start the process 2 or 2.5 months in advance.  Remember, the extension date will be 364 days from the date of the original I-94.
• If your existing TN expires, and you have not received the new one in the mail, you definitely should not travel outside of the USA.  Some INS officials have been known to let a person re-enter the USA on an expired I-94 if it is explained that your extension is being processed, but has not arrived yet.  But it is not advisable to take this chance.
• If your original TN was obtained with a "weak" case (in other words, you pulled the wool over the POE INS officers eyes and you were admitted under questionable circumstances), there is a good chance that your mail renewal will be rejected. Remember, the people issuing these TN renewals deal with hundreds each day, where as at the border, they may only see a few each week
• Added: (04/10/99) Once you have filed either your I-129 (TN) and/or I-539 (TD), it is advisable not to travel outside of the USA.   Traveling outside of the USA can be considered abandonment  by the INS and your TN or TD renewal will be cancelled, and possibly also invalidate your existing (even if NOT expired) TN or TD status.  If you MUST return to Canada, or travel outside the USA, I would advise on contacting the INS ahead of such planned travel to see if there are methods you can do this without invalidating your TN or TD renewal applications. Also consider traveling with your full set of TN documents in case you need to apply for a brand new TN at the Port of Entry.
  
  

Forms for Download:
Two forms may be needed.  They are (in Adobe PDF format), ready for download below:

• I-129 Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker - this form is used to renew or extend your TN status (as well as other statuses).   The fees is $130.00 (increased as of February 19, 2002) for the TN status.  If you have any dependants (TD) that also require renewing, the below fees for the I-539 are in addition to your TN fees.  This form is completed, and mailed by the employer of the TN status holder.  The employee can complete this form and mail it directly - but the form requires your employers signature, and Tax ID Number. Note: The I-129 petition, along with the $130.00 fee may be used by the employer for multiple petitions (ie renewals) if there are multiple TN's that are due to expire at approximately the same time. So, if your employer has a few TN's that need to be renewed, they can all be done for the same $130.00 fee. Be sure to check the latest fees at the INS Website
• I-539 Application to Extend/Change Non-Immigrant Status - this form is used only if a TD extension request is being made at the same time as a TN extension.  Fees are $140.00 (increased as of February 19, 2002) TOTAL for all dependents on a single application.  You will only need one application for all TD status renewals.  I am not sure, but I believe one can complete this form and mail it directly.  But why bother!  Download both forms, and have your employer process (my word for "pay for") the costs of both the I-129 and I-539.  The I-539 does not have to be filled at the same time as the I-129 to my knowledge, but why wouldn't you do them both at the same same anyway? Be sure to check the latest fees at the INS Website
  
• If you are filling an I-129 and/or an I-539 form, you must also include the following documentation:
  
  1. Copies of your I-94's, front and back
  2. Copies of your Citizenship Card or Canadian birth certificate
  3. An original renewal letter (largely similar to the original offer letter) on company letter-head (for TN renewals).
  4. Copies of your education diploma/degree, or transcripts.  Unfortunately, these may be re-evaluated
  5. If you are required to prove your experience, copies of all such proof that was provided when you received your original TN status.
  6. When you mail the application, send it PRIORITY POST with PROOF OF RECEIPT. No other method is acceptable if you must later prove that you sent it on time!
  7. On a cover sheet, specifically list what you have included with your package.   Make this the FIRST sheet that the INS official will see.
  8.  Of course, include your check!

Check the INS Fee Schedule before sending any money.

One, or both of these forms must be completed and sent along with payment to:

POSTAL Mail (Again, recommend "return receipt"), send it to:

INS Northern Service Center
PO Box 85129
Lincoln NE 68501-5129

By courier (not recommended, unless you need it to get there NEXT DAY

INS Northern Service Center
100 Centennial Mall North, Room B-26
Lincoln, NE 68508.