Real-Time Coordination for TN Visa Credential Evaluations by Immigration Paralegals

It was a busy Friday morning. The coffee was fresh, phones were ringing nonstop, and legal teams were already knee-deep in urgent filings. In one corner of the office, senior immigration attorneys John and Jan sat across from each other, reviewing a file that had just landed on their desks.

A Conversation Between Two Top Attorneys: John and Jan

John:
“Jan, we’ve got a rush TN visa case. The client’s a Canadian mechanical engineer, but his degree is from a smaller institution I’ve never heard of. If USCIS or CBP questions its equivalency, we’re in trouble.”

Jan:
“Relax. I already looped in Sarah-our paralegal. She pulled the transcript, confirmed the degree details, and has already submitted it for an expedited credential evaluation.”

John:
“That quick? What about the support letter?”

Jan:
“She’s drafting it now using our TN templates. She even pulled data from AACRAO EDGE to support the equivalency. We’ll have everything finalized before noon.”

John:
“That’s what I call real-time support. Honestly, without these paralegals, we’d be scrambling.”

Why TN Visa Credential Evaluation Requirements Matter ?

Under the USMCA, a TN visa applicant must prove that their degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree and directly relevant to the job being offered. USCIS now requires credential evaluations for any degree earned outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico – and more frequently even for Canadian institutions.

Key reasons credential evaluation is crucial:

• Ensures alignment with one of the 60+ TN occupational categories.

• Verifies the applicant meets minimum education standards.

• Prevents delays at the port of entry or Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS.

How Paralegals Streamline the TN Credential Process ?

Skilled immigration paralegals handle every technical aspect of the TN visa process, giving attorneys more time to focus on case strategy.

Real-World Example: A 72-Hour Approval

One client, a Canadian software engineer, had an urgent start date. Our virtual paralegal:

• Retrieved transcripts within hours

• Submitted an expedited evaluation to Josef Silny

• Drafted the employer support letter citing TN visa credential evaluation requirements

• Coordinated final review and handoff to the client

The result? The visa was approved within 72 hours at the U.S.-Canada border.

Tips to Stay Compliant with TN Credential Rules

• Only use NACES-approved evaluation services (ECE, WES, Josef Silny).

• Always validate degrees using AACRAO EDGE or internal firm resources.

• Use templates for common occupations like engineers, technologists, accountants, and scientists.

• Draft custom support letters that link the degree to the job duties listed under the USMCA-approved TN categories.

• Outsource paralegal support when internal bandwidth is limited.

What Did We Learn?

1. TN visa credential evaluation requirements are now stricter than ever.

2. Paralegals play a crucial role in gathering, verifying, and submitting accurate documents.

3. A strong support letter tied to evaluation results increases approval odds.

4. Real-time coordination keeps the process moving and reduces risk of delays.

5. Law firms can scale faster by working with trained virtual paralegals.

What People Are Asking?

1. What documents are required to meet TN visa credential evaluation requirements?
A degree certificate, academic transcript, and detailed course breakdown are typically needed. Paralegals also gather professional licenses if relevant.

2. Who qualifies to perform TN visa credential evaluations?
Only credential evaluation agencies approved by NACES (e.g., ECE, WES, Josef Silny) are recognized by USCIS and CBP.

3. How fast can a credential evaluation be completed?
Standard processing can take 5–10 business days, but rush evaluations (24–48 hours) are available through select providers when coordinated properly.

4. What if the applicant’s degree doesn’t match a TN job category?
Paralegals assist attorneys by suggesting related TN categories or supplementing with professional training documents.

5. Can a paralegal draft the entire TN support letter?
Yes, trained paralegals can draft full support letters that attorneys review and finalize – saving hours per case.

Disclaimer

For informational purposes only; not applicable to specific situations.

For tailored support and professional services,

please contact Immisupport, at +1 888 884 2161

Email: info@immisupport.com

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By James Paul

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