TN Required Docs

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alpinewhite2000

Registered Users (C)
Canadian living/working in US.
Completed MBA from US school

Read that original diploma is required among other docs. Does USCIS official keep a copy of actual diploma?? Thing is massive and cost me $100... cant imagine they'd actually want to keep the original.... thoughts? Past experiences?
 
If applying at the border, you should bring the original (even in its frame), and make a copy for them. In fact, you should make a copy of all your docs for them, and hand it to them when you arrive. Looks very professional. Your other choice is to have an official (embossed-stamped preferably) transcipt for your school that indicates conferral of the degree, but that is less accepted that the actual sheepskin.

By mail, you NEVER send any original (other than the TN letter). USCIS does not send anything back.

By the way, what TN category are you going for that has MBA as its degree requirement?
 
nelsona said:
If applying at the border, you should bring the original (even in its frame), and make a copy for them. In fact, you should make a copy of all your docs for them, and hand it to them when you arrive. Looks very professional. Your other choice is to have an official (embossed-stamped preferably) transcipt for your school that indicates conferral of the degree, but that is less accepted that the actual sheepskin.

By mail, you NEVER send any original (other than the TN letter). USCIS does not send anything back.

By the way, what TN category are you going for that has MBA as its degree requirement?
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Thank you for the clarification on the issue of the original diploma. USCIS states original but leaves it to summation whether they are going to actually keep it. Looks like they just want to see. Would original Diploma with a copy of transcript do the trick? Rather be over prepared than under.

Didn't even know one could apply for TN via mail... this is an option??

Would most likely apply under Management Consultant. MBA is not a requirement for any of the categories. I stated my degree because I figured that completing MBA from a US school could aid in my application... thoughts?
 
Diploma is enough, UNLESS you need to show the ties between your courses and your job. DHS is very strict on Management consultant TN and work history become more important that degree.
mail-in TN is always an option I-129 form. More expensive and time consuming however. Border is best.
MBA is never a requirement because the Bachelors degree is the real requirement. MC category doesn't even require a degree -- it is usually based on experience.

And where the degree comes from means nothing for TN.
 
nelsona said:
Diploma is enough, UNLESS you need to show the ties between your courses and your job. DHS is very strict on Management consultant TN and work history become more important that degree.
mail-in TN is always an option I-129 form. More expensive and time consuming however. Border is best.
MBA is never a requirement because the Bachelors degree is the real requirement. MC category doesn't even require a degree -- it is usually based on experience.

And where the degree comes from means nothing for TN.
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Thanks for the response. USCIS states that to qualify for TN visa status under NAFTA as a Management Consultant, an applicant must possess one of the following:

1. A Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) degree;
2. Licenciatura Degree;
3. Equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years experience as a management consultant; or
4. Five years experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement.

I do not have 5 years experience of work in the US (or Canada for that matter) in the related field. I do have 8+ years of work experience in general. 2 years in the field. Will this hurt my chances? Have BA and MBA.
 
Well, you have said nothing about the job you are doing. Is it really as a management consultant, of is it another type of position that doesn't have a related TN category, or does the job match a TN category but you do not have the degree that matches that category?

These are all reasons why DHS hates MC category and looks very suspiciously at them.

From what you say, it would seem unlikely that you would get a TN, since you do not have the required experience, and if your degree matched you job and a TN category, you would be going for a TN in that category, which apparently you are not. Not impossible mind you, but some very careful planning and wording (prob. by a TN-savvy immig lawyer) might do the trick.

Where you get the experince is not a criteria, it can be from any country. You would need letters to prove whatever experience you have from collegues, employers, clients, etc.
 
nelsona said:
Well, you have said nothing about the job you are doing. Is it really as a management consultant, of is it another type of position that doesn't have a related TN category, or does the job match a TN category but you do not have the degree that matches that category?

These are all reasons why DHS hates MC category and looks very suspiciously at them.

From what you say, it would seem unlikely that you would get a TN, since you do not have the required experience, and if your degree matched you job and a TN category, you would be going for a TN in that category, which apparently you are not. Not impossible mind you, but some very careful planning and wording (prob. by a TN-savvy immig lawyer) might do the trick.

Where you get the experince is not a criteria, it can be from any country. You would need letters to prove whatever experience you have from collegues, employers, clients, etc.
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To clarify the issue, yes the work would be as Consultant.

As to your second comment, I have an MBA- a degree one would logically conclude aligns with the prerequisites of a Management Consultant. MBA should also trump the less than 5 years experience- required only IF degree is not attained. Letters from previous employers/clients therefore should also be moot, no?

Like in all TN applications, agree that wording is the make or break. In my mind I don't think my situation is that dire... am I missing something?
 
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Trouble is, there is no such thing as a "management consultant degree". You know this, and so does DHS. Again, you are saying nothing about the actual job you are going to do. You could be an MC in product developement as easily as bus scheduling. A BA. or even an MBA wouldn't be a satisfactory prerequisite, say, marketing, or Urban planning. You can get an MBA with a Bach in any discipline, so the job becomes the crucial element. Remember, for MC in the TN world, you are being hired to solve a particular issue, you are not being hired on as a permanent Management consultant, as the position is supposed to be supernumerary to the firm's normal org-chart.

Thus the need for a job which closely matches your education or your experience. Don't know why you are being evasive about the job. I would trust you won't be so tight-lipped at the border (or in the firm's TN letter) or your application is doomed.

Now, once you have worked as an actual MC, then your 5 years of MC work can qualify you for just about any type of MC work, but without those 5 years as an MC, you are kinda stuck doing what your education makes you an expert in (that is why I said earlier that your transcript, with its course load, may come into play).

So, are you missing something? Don't know, but you certainly aren't telling everything.
 
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nelsona said:
Trouble is, there is no such thing as a "management consultant degree". You know this, and so does DHS. Again, you are saying nothing about the actual job you are going to do. You could be an MC in product developement as easily as bus scheduling. A BA. or even an MBA wouldn't be a satisfactory prerequisite, say, marketing, or Urban planning. You can get an MBA with a Bach in any discipline, so the job becomes the crucial element. Remember, for MC in the TN world, you are being hired to solve a particular issue, you are not being hired on as a permanent Management consultant, as the position is supposed to be supernumerary to the firm's normal org-chart.

Thus the need for a job which closely matches your education or your experience. Don't know why you are being evasive about the job. I would trust you won't be so tight-lipped at the border (or in the firm's TN letter) or your application is doomed.

Now, once you have worked as an actual MC, then your 5 years of MC work can qualify you for just about any type of MC work, but without those 5 years as an MC, you are kinda stuck doing what your education makes you an expert in (that is why I said earlier that your transcript, with its course load, may come into play).

So, are you missing something? Don't know, but you certainly aren't telling everything.
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I've not stated the job because I've not been offered one. But TN is the route I'd like to pursue in order to continue living/working in the US for the next 5-7 years. You state that:

"... without those 5 years as an MC, you are kinda stuck doing what your education makes you an expert in (that is why I said earlier that your transcript, with its course load, may come into play)".

My education makes me an "expert" in (and of) business. Everything from Technology to Finance that is an MBA education these days. This is perhaps the disconnect in fully grasping your response- although I understand and appreciate the validity of your insight and responses.
 
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All TNs start with the actual job description. So if your education and/or experience don't match up with the job description, then there is little point wasting your or the sponsors time.

As I said earlier, your JOB will be specific, and even the issue will be specific. MCs -- at least for TN purposes -- advise on specific issues, issues with which they have specific expertise.

TN may just not be your way to go, an H1-B is probably the way to go.
 
nelsona said:
All TNs start with the actual job description. So if your education and/or experience don't match up with the job description, then there is little point wasting your or the sponsors time.

As I said earlier, your JOB will be specific, and even the issue will be specific. MCs -- at least for TN purposes -- advise on specific issues, issues with which they have specific expertise.

TN may just not be your way to go, an H1-B is probably the way to go.
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Obviously I would seek out employment that matches my previous work experience as well as my credentials as an MBA. I stated this in my previous message so not sure why you're advice is so pessimistic.
 
Again, your degree *might* not fit the job, as I explained.

Maybe it would be best for you to find the job?
 
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