Late Sunday night it was announced that Canada had reached an agreement with the United States and Mexico to remain in a North American trade pact. The deal came just hours before the U.S.-imposed deadline of midnight on September 30. The new agreement will be named the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), which was formerly referred to as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). It is expected that the agreement will be signed by President Trump and his Canadian and Mexican counterparts on November 30. Once signed by President Trump, it will be submitted to Congress. A vote by Congress is expected to take place sometime next year. Once finalized, USMCA will have a 16-year term – with the opportunity for all parties to review after six years.

For immigration purposes, there is expected to be no change in TN visa eligibility, which was established under NAFTA for Mexican and Canadian professionals. The previous appendix of professions and minimum requirements for each category allowed under NAFTA will remain the same under USMCA.