Comprehensive 2025 TN Visa Professions and Occupations List

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Key Takeaways

• TN visa allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to work temporarily in the US in specific professional jobs.
• As of July 2025, about 60 professions qualify under the USMCA, including Accountant and Engineer with stricter rules.
• Applications require strong documentation, a US job offer, and intent to return home; renewals are possible.

The TN visa is a special work permit that allows citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 to work in the United States 🇺🇸 in certain professional jobs. This visa was created under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the old NAFTA agreement. The TN visa is popular because it offers a faster and simpler way for qualified professionals to work in the United States 🇺🇸 without going through the longer H-1B process. However, there are strict rules about who can apply, what jobs qualify, and what documents are needed.

This guide explains the TN visa professions and occupations list as of July 2025, recent policy changes, who can apply, how the process works, and what applicants and employers need to know. It also covers the rights and limits of TN visa holders, practical examples, and what the future might hold for this visa.

Comprehensive 2025 TN Visa Professions and Occupations List

What Is the TN Visa and Who Can Use It?

The TN visa is a temporary work visa for citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽. It lets them work in the United States 🇺🇸 in certain professional jobs listed under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The main goal is to make it easier for professionals from these countries to work in the United States 🇺🇸 for a set period.

Key points about the TN visa:

Only citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 can apply.
The job must be on the official TN professions list.
The applicant must have the right education or experience for the job.
The job offer must come from a U.S. employer.
The visa is usually valid for up to three years and can be renewed.

The TN visa is not for permanent immigration. It is meant for temporary work, and applicants must show they plan to return to their home country when the job ends.

The TN Visa Professions and Occupations List (2025)

The TN visa only covers certain jobs, called “professions.” As of July 2025, the list includes about 60 jobs. This list has not changed much since the USMCA replaced NAFTA. Some of the most common TN professions are:

Accountant
Architect
Computer Systems Analyst
Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster
Economist
Engineer (with special degree and job requirements)
Forester
Graphic Designer
Hotel Manager
Industrial Designer
Interior Designer
Land Surveyor
Landscape Architect
Lawyer
Librarian
Management Consultant
Mathematician / Statistician / Actuary
Range Manager / Conservationist
Research Assistant
Scientific Technician / Technologist
Social Worker
Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist
Technical Publications Writer
Urban Planner / Geographer
Vocational Counselor
Epidemiologist
Geneticist

Accountant is one of the most popular TN professions. To qualify, you usually need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some jobs may accept a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license or similar credentials.

The full, official list is available on the USCIS TN USMCA Professionals page.

Recent Policy Updates and Changes (2024-2025)

Over the past year, the United States 🇺🇸 government has made some important changes to how TN visa applications are reviewed. These changes affect both applicants and employers.

Stricter Rules for Certain Professions

Scientific Technician/Technologist:
Applicants must now show they have real knowledge in science or engineering. The job must clearly connect to their training. Jobs that help with patient care, like assisting doctors, do not qualify. However, jobs in labs or research that support science fields may still be approved.

Engineer:
USCIS uses a four-part test for TN Engineer jobs:
– The applicant must have a bachelor’s or licenciatura degree in engineering.
– The job duties must match what is listed for engineers in the U.S. government’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.
– The job title and duties must show real engineering work.
– Computer or IT jobs do not count unless they are true engineering roles with the right degree and duties.

This means that many software or IT jobs are no longer approved under the “Engineer” category unless they fit these rules.

Where to Apply

TN visa applications can be made at any Class A port of entry (land border or airport with international flights).
Canadians can also apply at pre-clearance stations in Canada 🇨🇦.
Mexicans usually apply at U.S. consulates or at the border.

Who Is Eligible for a TN Visa?

To qualify for a TN visa, you must meet all of these requirements:

Citizenship: You must be a citizen of Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽.
Job Offer: You need a job offer from a U.S. employer for a job on the TN professions list.
Qualifications: You must have the right degree, license, or experience for the job. For example, an Accountant needs a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Temporary Intent: You must plan to return to your home country when the job ends.
No Self-Employment: You cannot work for yourself or as an independent contractor.

Spouses and children of TN visa holders can get TD visas. TD visa holders can study in the United States 🇺🇸 but cannot work.

The TN Visa Application Process: Step by Step

Applying for a TN visa involves several steps. Here’s how the process works in 2025:

1. Confirm Eligibility

Check that your job is on the TN professions list and that you meet the education and experience requirements.

2. Get a Job Offer

You must have a written job offer from a U.S. employer. The offer should describe your job duties, how long you will work, and your pay.

3. Gather Documents

You will need:
– Proof of citizenship (passport)
– A detailed letter from your employer explaining your job, duties, and qualifications
– Copies of your degrees, transcripts, and licenses
– Any required professional licenses (for jobs like Accountant or Engineer)

4. Apply at the Border or Consulate

Canadians: Can apply directly at a U.S. port of entry or pre-clearance station in Canada 🇨🇦. No visa is needed in advance.
Mexicans: Must apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate before traveling to the United States 🇺🇸.

5. Pay the Fees

At the port of entry, the fee is usually $50.
At a consulate, fees may be higher and can change.

6. Attend an Interview (if needed)

Some applicants may be asked extra questions or to provide more documents.

7. Get TN Status

If approved, you will get TN status for up to three years. You can start working as soon as you enter the United States 🇺🇸.

8. Renew or Extend

You can renew your TN status as long as you still qualify. Renewals can be done at the border or by filing Form I-129 with USCIS.
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

Rights and Limits of TN Visa Holders

What you can do:
– Work for the employer who sponsored your TN visa
– Live in the United States 🇺🇸 for up to three years at a time
– Bring your spouse and children (they get TD visas)
– Renew your TN visa as many times as needed, as long as you still qualify

What you cannot do:
– Work for a different employer without getting a new TN visa
– Work in a job not listed on the TN professions list
– Be self-employed or work as a contractor
– Apply for a green card directly from TN status (there are special rules for this)

Real-World Example: Accountant on a TN Visa

Let’s look at how the TN visa works for an Accountant:

Maria is a Canadian citizen with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She gets a job offer from a U.S. company in New York to work as an Accountant. The company writes a detailed letter explaining her job duties, her qualifications, and how long she will work. Maria gathers her documents and applies for TN status at the border. She pays the fee, answers questions, and is approved for three years. Maria moves to the United States 🇺🇸 with her husband and daughter (who get TD visas). She can renew her TN status as long as she keeps working as an Accountant for the same employer.

Practical Implications for Applicants and Employers

For Applicants:
– Make sure your job is on the TN professions list.
– Gather all documents before applying.
– Be ready to explain your job duties and qualifications.
– If your job is in a field with new rules (like Engineer or Scientific Technician), check the latest USCIS guidance.

For Employers:
– Write a clear, detailed job offer letter.
– Make sure the job matches the TN professions list.
– Be ready to answer questions from border officers or USCIS.

For Families:
– Spouses and children can study but cannot work.
– If your family wants to work, they must qualify for their own work visas.

Comparisons: TN Visa vs. H-1B Visa

TN visa is only for citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽, while H-1B is open to all nationalities.
TN visa is faster and does not have a yearly cap, while H-1B has a lottery and limited spots.
TN visa is for specific jobs on the professions list, while H-1B covers more job types.
TN visa is for temporary work and does not lead directly to a green card, while H-1B can be a path to permanent residency.

Recent Developments and Political Context

In 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 government has focused on making sure TN visa rules are followed closely. Under President Biden, there was more attention on documentation and compliance. With President Trump returning to office, there is even more focus on making sure jobs go to Americans first and that TN visa holders really qualify for their jobs.

Even with these changes, the TN visa is protected by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, so big changes are unlikely without a new treaty. However, applicants should expect more questions and longer wait times.

Expert Advice and Stakeholder Views

Immigration lawyers say it is more important than ever to have strong documents and clear job descriptions. Employers should double-check that the job matches the TN professions list. Applicants should consider talking to a lawyer, especially if their job is in a field with new rules.

Employers need to make sure they are not offering jobs that do not fit the TN list. Mistakes can lead to denials and delays.

Applicants should keep up with the latest rules and be ready for more questions at the border or consulate.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, many professionals are finding the process more challenging due to these new rules, especially in fields like engineering and scientific research.

Future Outlook for the TN Visa

There are ongoing talks about updating the TN professions list to include new jobs, like data analysts and green energy specialists. However, as of July 2025, no new jobs have been added. The process may become more digital in the future, with online applications and clearer rules.

Political changes could bring even more focus on documentation and compliance. It is important for both applicants and employers to check the official USCIS TN visa page for updates.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

The TN visa is a great option for Canadian and Mexican professionals in certain jobs, like Accountant, who want to work in the United States 🇺🇸.
The list of TN professions has not changed much, but the rules are stricter, especially for jobs like Engineer and Scientific Technician.
Applicants and employers must have strong documents and be ready for more questions.
The process is faster than other work visas, but you must follow all the rules closely.
Check official government sources and consider legal advice for complex cases.

By understanding the TN visa rules and preparing carefully, applicants and employers can make the most of this important work visa under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Learn Today

TN Visa → A temporary work permit for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA to work in the US.
USMCA → United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replacing NAFTA, governing trade and labor mobility among these countries.
Occupational Outlook Handbook → A US government publication outlining standard job duties and qualifications for professions.
Form I-129 → USCIS petition filed by employers to extend or change a nonimmigrant worker’s visa status.
TD Visa → A dependent visa for spouses and children of TN visa holders; allows study but no employment.

This Article in a Nutshell

The TN visa offers a streamlined way for Canadians and Mexicans to work temporarily in US professional jobs. Recent policy updates demand stricter documentation and clear job qualifications. With about 60 eligible professions, this visa remains essential under the USMCA agreement, providing faster access than other visas like the H-1B.
— By VisaVerge.com