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Due to the spread of the coronavirus my organization is recommending (essentially mandating) that all employees work from home (WFH) until further notice. I was planning on traveling to Canada from NYC until the WFH policy is lifted.

I have no reason to expect that I was exposed, and would like to stay in Canada with my family for as long as possible.

Since I am working in the USA on a TN visa, is there a maximum amount of time I can spend outside of the USA?

This site seems to suggest that if my I-94 is not expired on return I will be fine.

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    I'm fairly certain that the T in TN stands for treaty or perhaps trade, since a worker who lives in another country even temporarily is not generally considered a "traveler." In any event, it does not matter what the T stands for, so ice edited the question accordingly. – phoog Mar 13 '20 at 5:08
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There's no limit. Even if you try to return after the expiration of your I-94, you can just reapply for admission as you did the first time you entered in TN status.

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  • I appreciate this answer, it puts me at ease. Is there any source I could refer to for this? – shayaan Mar 13 '20 at 10:41
  • @Shayan I'm pretty sure there's something in the regulations, but they're a little complicated so I didn't have time to read them in depth. I'll add a link in the next few hours. – phoog Mar 13 '20 at 13:20
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    @Shayaan as explained in the source you linked in your answer, there are basically three scenarios: you have your I-94 and it's not expired (in that case, they let you in without further paperwork), you lost your I-94 but it's not expired (you have to show documentation for them to look it up), or, your I-94 is expired because it's been three years since initial entry. After three years are up, whether inside or out, TNs must file paperwork to continue their status. It wouldn't be a case of you "having been gone too long" it would just be a case of the three year period of admission being up – aidanh010 Mar 16 '20 at 3:30

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