USMCA Professional Occupations for TN Status

The TN visa allows qualified Canadian and Mexican professionals to work temporarily in the United States under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). To qualify for TN status, you must work in one of the designated professional occupations and meet specific educational or licensing requirements.

Need help determining your TN visa eligibility? Contact De Wit Immigration Law for a consultation about your TN visa application.

TN Visa Professional Requirements

Each TN visa profession has specific minimum qualifications that applicants must meet. These typically include:

• Bachelor’s degree (Baccalaureate or Licenciatura) in a related field
• Professional license from a state or province
• Alternative credentials, such as post-secondary certificates plus experience

Important: Degrees from institutions outside Canada, Mexico, or the United States must be accompanied by a credentials evaluation from a reliable evaluation service.

General Professional Categories

Business and Technology Professions

Accountant
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A. certification

Computer Systems Analyst
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate plus 3 years experience

Economist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Engineer
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Management Consultant
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Professional credential attesting to 5 years experience as a management consultant; OR
5 years experience in a specialty field related to the consulting agreement

Design and Architecture Professions

Architect
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Graphic Designer
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate plus 3 years experience

Industrial Designer
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate plus 3 years experience

Interior Designer
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate plus 3 years experience

Landscape Architect
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Legal and Social Services

Lawyer (including Notary in Quebec)
L.L.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura Degree (5 years); OR
Membership in a state/provincial bar

Librarian
M.L.S. or B.L.S. (with another Bachelor’s degree as prerequisite)

Social Worker
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Vocational Counselor
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Other General Professions

Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree with training in disaster relief claims; OR
3 years experience in claims adjustment with training in disaster relief claims

Forester
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Hotel Manager
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate in hotel/restaurant management plus 3 years experience

Land Surveyor
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial/federal license

Mathematician (including Statistician)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Range Manager/Range Conservationist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Research Assistant (post-secondary institutions only)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Scientific Technician/Technologist
Theoretical knowledge of disciplines like agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; AND
Ability to solve practical problems or apply principles to research

Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Technical Publications Writer
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate plus 3 years experience

Urban Planner (including Geographer)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Medical and Allied Health Professionals

Dentist
D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental; OR
State/provincial license

Dietitian
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Medical Laboratory Technologist/Medical Technologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
Post-Secondary Diploma or Certificate plus 3 years experience

Nutritionist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Occupational Therapist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Pharmacist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Physician (teaching or research only)
M.D. or Doctor en Medicina; OR
State/provincial license

Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; OR
State/provincial license

Psychologist
State/provincial license; OR
Licenciatura Degree

Recreational Therapist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Registered Nurse
State/provincial license; OR
Licenciatura Degree

Veterinarian
D.V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; OR
State/provincial license

Scientific Professions

Agricultural Sciences

Agriculturist (including Agronomist)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Animal Breeder
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Animal Scientist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Apiculturist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Dairy Scientist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Horticulturist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Plant Breeder
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Poultry Scientist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Soil Scientist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Physical and Life Sciences

Astronomer
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Biochemist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Biologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Chemist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Entomologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Epidemiologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Geneticist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Geochemist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Geologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Geophysicist (including Oceanographer in Mexico and U.S.)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Meteorologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Pharmacologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada)
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Zoologist
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Teaching Professions

College Teacher
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Seminary Teacher
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

University Teacher
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree

Important TN Visa Application Requirements

Beyond meeting the professional qualifications, TN visa applicants must:

• Be a citizen of Canada or Mexico
• Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a position on the USMCA professions list
• Demonstrate temporary intent to work in the United States
• Provide documentation including:
  • Letter from the prospective U.S. employer detailing:
    • Job duties and professional activities
    • Duration of employment (up to 3 years initially)
    • Remuneration arrangements
  • Educational credentials (diplomas, degrees, transcripts)
  • Professional licenses or certifications if applicable
  • Credentials evaluation for foreign degrees (if from outside Canada, Mexico, or U.S.)
  • Experience verification letters from previous employers

Key Differences for Canadian vs. Mexican Citizens

Canadian Citizens:

• Can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry
• No visa stamp required
• Pay fee upon admission

Mexican Citizens:

• Must obtain TN visa at U.S. consulate before travel
• Present valid passport and TN visa at port of entry

TN Visa Duration and Extensions

• Initial period: Up to 3 years
• Extensions: Available in 3-year increments
• No limit on total time in TN status (as long as temporary intent maintained)
• Spouse and children: Eligible for TD status (no work authorization)

Does Your Profession Qualify for TN Status?

This list represents the complete roster of USMCA professional occupations eligible for TN visa status. If your profession appears on this list and you meet the educational or licensing requirements, you may qualify for TN status.

Important considerations:

• Job duties must align with the professional category
• Self-employment is generally not permitted
• Some professions have specific limitations (e.g., physicians limited to teaching/research)
• Alternative experience may qualify for certain professions

Get Professional TN Visa Assistance

TN visa requirements can be complicated, especially when determining whether your specific job duties and qualifications meet USMCA standards. At De Wit Immigration Law, we help Canadian and Mexican professionals secure TN status efficiently.

Our TN visa services include:

• Eligibility assessment and profession classification
• Document preparation and employer letter drafting
• Application strategy for port of entry or consular processing
• Extension and employer change petitions
• TD status for family members

Ready to apply for your TN visa? Contact De Wit Immigration Law or visit dewit.law to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you understand your TN visa eligibility and guide you through the application process.

Note: This information is based on current USMCA regulations as codified in 8 CFR 214.6. Professional requirements and immigration regulations are subject to change. Always consult with qualified immigration counsel for the most current guidance on TN visa eligibility.