TN Spotlight: Hotel Manager

TN Category Overview 

The TN category permits citizens of Canada and Mexico to enter the U.S. to provide prearranged professional services to a U.S. employer or entity.  Under the regulations, there are 63 professional occupations under which an individual may qualify.  One such occupation is a Hotel Manager.

How to Qualify as a Hotel Manager 

To qualify for TN status as a Hotel Manager, an applicant must possess one of the following:

• Bachelor’s or Licenciatura Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management; or
• Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate in Hotel/Restaurant Management and three-years’ experience in Hotel/Restaurant Management

Please note that if you are attempting to qualify as a Hotel Manager based on having a post-secondary diploma or post-secondary certificate and three years’ experience, the following conditions must be met:

• A “post-secondary diploma” must encompass the following:
  • Completion of two or more years of post-secondary education 
  • The education must have occurred in Canada or the U.S.
  • The granting organization must be an accredited academic institution 

• A “post-secondary certificate” must encompass the following:
  • Completion of two or more years of post-secondary education 
  • The credential must be issued by:
    • The federal government or a state government of Mexico;
    • An academic institution recognized by the federal government or a state government in Mexico; or 
    • An academic institution created by federal or state law.

Evidence of qualifying experience can be in the form of experience confirmation letters from previous employers. The letters must detail the dates of employment, job title, and provide a brief description of job duties. 

Interestingly, the Hotel Manager category is the only TN category for which a specific degree or post-secondary diploma is listed in the regulations, as shown here at 8 CFR §214.6(c).

Typical Hotel Manager Job Duties 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Hotel Managers ensure that guests on vacation or business travel have a pleasant experience at a hotel, motel, or other types of establishments with accommodations.  Hotel Managers also ensure that the establishment is run efficiently and profitably.

Typical job duties include:

• Inspecting guest rooms, public areas, and grounds for cleanliness and appearance
• Ensuring that company standards for guest services, décor, and housekeeping are met
• Answering questions from guests about hotel policies and services
• Keeping track of how much money the hotel or lodging facility is making
• Interviewing, hiring, training, and sometimes firing staff members
• Monitoring staff performance to ensure that guests are happy, and that the hotel is well run
• Coordinating front-office activities of hotels or motels and resolving problems
• Setting room rates and budgets, approving expenditures, and allocating funds to various departments. 

Application Process 

For citizens of Canada, applicants can submit a TN petition to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at any land port of entry or airport preclearance location throughout Canada.  A decision will be made on the spot, and, if approved, you can begin working in the U.S. the same day.

For citizens of Mexico, applicants need to schedule and attend an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Mexico.  Upon approval, you will obtain a TN visa in your passport which can then be used to gain entry to the U.S. in TN status.

If you study or work in the Hotel Manager field and are considering working in the United States, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today!