Middlebury-sponsored TN status (new or concurrent) for summer

Instructions for those who need TN status to work for Middlebury summer programs

The TN status enables citizens of Canada and Mexico to be admitted to the United States to engage in “business activities at a professional level” in certain occupations.  Middlebury will only consider TN status for faculty positions for our summer programs. 

The TN status has certain limitations and can be authorized for a specific qualifying position, a specific employer, and in a specific location. This means that the person who obtains TN status is authorized to work only in the position specified in the Middlebury employer/contract letter. An individual who has a TN approval from another employer is not eligible to work at Middlebury/MIIS and the Middlebury-sponsored TN approval is not authorization to work for any other employer. A TN worker may work for more than one employer, but TN status must be approved for each employer and position. Employees with approved TN status for multiple positions and employers are considered to have “concurrent” TNs. 

Middlebury almost always sponsors TN status for a new hire to work at Middlebury when they are currently in the U.S. in TN status with another employer and will continue that employment concurrently throughout and after the Middlebury contract period for the summer.

If you have questions after reading this webpage, email isss@middlebury.edu. In the email subject line, please indicate the school or program, if you will be faculty or staff, and the type of question, so the email will be directed to the appropriate ISSS staff person. For example, if you will teach for the Chinese Language School, indicate in the email subject line: “Chinese Language School Faculty: TN status question.”

If ISSS determines that TN is the most appropriate status for you and the Middlebury position you are offered in one of our summer programs, then you will need to follow the steps below.

TN Application Next Steps

1. Gather the following information:
   1. Copy of the biographical page(s) of your passport, including your name, date of birth, and passport expiration date.
   2. Copy of diploma awarded for the degree that is related to the position hired for, with certified translation to English, if necessary.
   3. Copy of transcripts of related degree awarded, with certified translation to English, if necessary.
   4. Copy of a credential evaluation of your degree if the degree was awarded by an academic institution outside of the United States.
   5. Most current/updated résumé or CV (must be in English).
   6. Copy of Middlebury contract or offer letter signed by you accepting the position.
2. Fill out and submit the TN Intake Form.

After you submit your TN Intake Form

ISSS will prepare the necessary support letters and other documentation based on your submitted TN Intake Form. ISSS requires at least 2-3 weeks to prepare this paperwork. 

TN status is attained either via travel (departing and re-entering the U.S.) where TN status is granted at the time of admission/re-admission to the U.S. or via USCIS if the employer filed a petition and it was approved.  It is always best to obtain TN status via travel – leaving the U.S. and obtaining TN status upon re-entry to the U.S.  In very rare circumstances, it may be possible to file a TN petition with USCIS, however, it can take several months to get approval. Therefore, travel is usually always much quicker and would avoid a delay in being able to work for the summer. 

After it is determined the best way to attain the TN for the Middlebury position, ISSS will mail the TN packet to you if you will attain it via travel, or will mail the TN petition packet to USCIS.  Once the TN status has been granted, the employee will provide ISSS with evidence of the TN authorization via our ISSS check-in process. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: A person cannot legally work for Middlebury in TN status until they have documented evidence that they have been granted TN status specifically for the position with Middlebury.  

Updated 2/7/2025