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Citizenship

TN Status Extensions by Mail During Shutdown: Will They Be Accepted?

USCIS will keep receiving and adjudicating TN extension mail filings during a federal shutdown, though decisions may slow if other agencies are furloughed. File on time, include complete evidence, consider Premium Processing if available, and document any shutdown-related delays.

Last updated: October 1, 2025 6:24 pm
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Key takeaways
USCIS will accept and process TN extension mail filings during a federal shutdown as of October 1, 2025.
Premium Processing may continue for I-129 TN extensions if listed available; verify USCIS service status before paying.
E-Verify is suspended during a shutdown, which can delay employer onboarding though USCIS continues adjudications.

(UNITED STATES) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue to accept and process TN status extension requests filed by mail during a federal government shutdown, according to current agency practice as of October 1, 2025. Because USCIS is largely funded by application fees rather than annual congressional budgets, its core work—receipting and adjudicating petitions—keeps moving even when other federal offices pause.

For Canadian and Mexican professionals in the United States on TN status, that means mail filings for TN extensions using Form I-129 are expected to be received and queued as normal. Possible delays are most likely only if a case depends on work done by other agencies that do shut down.

TN Status Extensions by Mail During Shutdown: Will They Be Accepted?
TN Status Extensions by Mail During Shutdown: Will They Be Accepted?

Immediate takeaway for employers and workers

If your TN status is nearing its end date, you should still file your extension by mail as you normally would. Lockbox facilities and service centers remain open to receive packages, accept filing fees, and issue receipt notices. USCIS’s online case status tools also remain available.

Even so, applicants should prepare for slower decision timelines if a funding lapse persists—especially for cases requiring interagency checks.

Late filings and USCIS flexibility

USCIS has historically offered flexibility when a shutdown blocks a timely filing. If the shutdown directly causes a missed deadline—for example, a courier delay tied to facility closures beyond your control—USCIS has accepted late filings when the package includes a clear, signed statement connecting the delay to the shutdown.

  • This discretion is not a blanket guarantee, but it has been applied in prior funding lapses.
  • It is an important safety valve for workers and employers trying to maintain lawful status and work authorization.

To use the flexibility effectively, include a brief cover letter that explains:

  1. What your original filing deadline was.
  2. The shutdown-related obstacle that prevented timely filing.
  3. The exact reason the package could not be sent or delivered on time.

Keep the explanation simple, factual, and supported by dates.

💡 Tip
File TN extension by mail as you normally would, using Form I-129 with all required documentation and a clear employer letter mapping duties to TN eligibility.

Premium Processing and E-Verify

  • Premium Processing: USCIS’s fast-track service has typically continued during shutdowns where it’s available for the category. For TN extensions filed on Form I-129, Premium Processing may be an option if USCIS lists it as available at filing time. USCIS can change availability, so check the current service status on the USCIS site before paying the extra fee.

  • E-Verify: The system is not fee-funded and is suspended during a shutdown. This does not stop USCIS from receiving or adjudicating TN petitions, but it does affect employer onboarding steps that rely on E-Verify. Employers should follow DHS’s shutdown-specific guidance for E-Verify timing and case handling once operations resume.

How USCIS functions during a shutdown

Most USCIS operations continue because the agency is primarily funded by applicant fees rather than annual appropriations. The following core activities typically proceed, subject to staff availability and interagency dependencies:

  • Lockbox intake and service center processing
  • Issuance of receipt notices
  • Biometrics scheduling where applicable
  • Adjudications of fee-funded petitions

According to agency practice and public updates, core petition processing—including mail filings for TN extensions—remains active even when other parts of the federal government pause. For ongoing updates and operational notices, applicants and employers can check the USCIS newsroom alerts page: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts.

Limits to continuity

Continuity has limits. If a TN extension triggers background checks or verification steps requiring action by another agency that is furloughed, a decision may be delayed. Applicants will usually receive receipt notices and remain in queue, but final approval could slip until the partner office restarts.

  • The same caution applies to any involvement by the Department of Labor (DOL). While TN classifications generally do not require a Labor Condition Application (LCA), edge cases can occur where DOL involvement would pause that step during a DOL shutdown.

Practical steps for TN workers and employers

The central process remains the same: eligible workers can extend TN status inside the United States through an employer’s mail filing on Form I-129. The form and instructions are available at: Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.

Employers should include:

  • The base Form I-129
  • The correct filing fee
  • TN supporting evidence:
    • Proof of nationality
    • Degree credentials
    • Detailed employer support letter describing the professional role and NAFTA/USMCA profession
    • Evidence of maintenance of status
  • Premium Processing request and fee, if chosen and available

To reduce avoidable delays during a shutdown, consider these steps:

  1. File early and use a trackable courier. Keep delivery proof.
  2. Double-check fees, signatures, and edition dates on Form I-129 and related forms to avoid rejections.
  3. Include a thorough employer letter mapping the offered job to a recognized TN profession; explain duties, worksite, salary, and supervision.
  4. If filing is late because of the shutdown, attach a clear explanation tying the delay to the funding lapse and the specific obstacle.
  5. If time-sensitive business needs exist and Premium Processing is available, consider requesting it.
  6. Keep employees and HR aligned on onboarding timing changes caused by E-Verify being offline.

Distinguishing TN from other classifications

For most TN professionals, the Department of Labor is not part of the extension process. If an employer’s internal policy references LCAs (typical for H-1B), ensure HR understands TN does not normally require an LCA so filings are not held up by unnecessary steps that may be paused during a shutdown.

Employers should also plan for staffing continuity. A timely filed mail filing for a TN extension can help maintain work authorization under normal “bridge” practices tied to pending extensions for certain categories. While TN does not have the same automatic extension structure as some classifications, a properly filed petition before the current status end date is the critical first move. Employers should consult counsel on work authorization during pendency because distinctions among nonimmigrant categories can be nuanced.

Port-of-entry considerations

Some applicants ask whether to use a port-of-entry strategy during a shutdown. For Canadian nationals who can apply for TN classification directly at a U.S. port of entry or preclearance, land and air ports typically remain open, though staffing and wait times may vary.

  • Because USCIS mail filings often remain consistent (with receipt notices and predictable queues), extension-by-mail is frequently the steadier choice when travel is not essential.

Observed patterns and monitoring

Analysis by VisaVerge.com of prior shutdowns showed USCIS continuing fee-funded work without major intake disruptions, though processing times stretched for cases involving furloughed partner agencies. That pattern makes careful front-end preparation—complete packets, correct fees, and strong employer letters—more important than ever.

⚠️ Important
If a background check or interagency step is paused by another agency during a shutdown, final approval may be delayed even as receipt notices are issued.

Monitor official updates for changes that might affect scheduling, biometrics collection, or Premium Processing availability. The USCIS alerts page typically posts such notices quickly. Expect longer hold times with the USCIS Contact Center during a shutdown; use online tools first when possible.

Key points to remember during a shutdown:
– USCIS continues to accept and process TN extension mail filings.
– Receipt notices and case tracking remain available.
– Adjudications may slow if other agencies involved in your case are closed.
– Late filings linked to the shutdown can be accepted with a clear explanation.
– Premium Processing is expected to continue where offered, but always verify current availability.
– E-Verify is suspended and resumes only after funding is restored.
– DOL-related steps are paused; this is rarely relevant for TN, but confirm your case facts.

Final practical advice

Accuracy matters more when the system is under strain. Rejections for missing signatures, wrong fees, or incorrect addresses can waste weeks—a risk that grows during a shutdown.

  • Review the Form I-129 instructions carefully.
  • Use the correct lockbox filing address for your company’s location and classification.
  • Include organized evidence showing the job is a qualifying TN profession and that the employee continues to meet the requirements.

While a federal shutdown brings uncertainty, the core message for TN professionals and their employers is clear: the USCIS door stays open. File TN extensions by mail on time, document shutdown-related delays if they occur, consider Premium Processing if available, and closely monitor official updates. Those steps help protect status, limit work disruptions, and keep teams focused on the work that brought the TN professional to the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1
Will USCIS accept TN extension petitions filed by mail during a federal shutdown?
Yes. As of October 1, 2025, USCIS continues to accept and process TN extension mail filings (Form I-129) because core operations are largely fee-funded. Lockboxes and service centers remain open to receive packages and issue receipt notices.

Q2
What if my TN extension filing is late because of the shutdown?
USCIS has accepted late filings tied directly to shutdown-related obstacles in past lapses. Include a brief, signed cover letter explaining the original deadline, the shutdown-related obstacle, and relevant dates to support your late submission.

Q3
Is Premium Processing available for TN extensions during a shutdown?
Possibly. Premium Processing often continues when USCIS lists it as available for the relevant I-129 category, but availability can change. Check USCIS’s current service status before submitting and paying the Premium Processing fee.

Q4
How does a shutdown affect employer steps like E-Verify and onboarding?
E-Verify is suspended during a shutdown, which can delay employer onboarding processes that rely on it. USCIS adjudications of fee-funded petitions can continue, but employers should follow DHS and USCIS guidance and plan contingencies for onboarding timing.

VisaVerge.com
Learn Today
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency that handles immigration petitions and benefits.
TN status → A nonimmigrant classification for qualifying Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA/NAFTA provisions.
Form I-129 → The petition employers file to request an extension or change of nonimmigrant worker status, including TN.
Premium Processing → An optional paid service that speeds adjudication for certain petitions, subject to USCIS availability.
E-Verify → An online DHS system employers use to confirm new hires’ work authorization; it can be suspended during shutdowns.
Lockbox → A USCIS-designated facility that receives mailed immigration filings, fees, and issues receipt notices.
Department of Labor (DOL) → Federal agency overseeing labor issues; occasionally involved via LCAs, which are rarely required for TN.
Receipt notice → USCIS communication confirming it received a filed petition and assigned a tracking number for case status.

This Article in a Nutshell

As of October 1, 2025, USCIS continues to accept and process TN extension mail filings (Form I-129) during federal shutdowns because most operations are fee-funded. Lockboxes and service centers receive packages, accept fees, and issue receipt notices; online case status tools remain available. Processing may slow if a petition requires interagency checks or DOL involvement. Premium Processing can continue when USCIS lists it as available, but E-Verify is suspended in a shutdown, affecting employer onboarding. Applicants should file early, include complete evidence, use trackable courier services, and attach a clear explanation for late filings tied to the shutdown.

— VisaVerge.com
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Robert Pyne
ByRobert Pyne
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Robert Pyne, a Professional Writer at VisaVerge.com, brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique storytelling ability to the team. Specializing in long-form articles and in-depth analyses, Robert's writing offers comprehensive insights into various aspects of immigration and global travel. His work not only informs but also engages readers, providing them with a deeper understanding of the topics that matter most in the world of travel and immigration.
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