Key Professional Occupations Eligible for TN Visa Under USMCA Appendix 2

Key Takeaways

• The TN visa allows Canadian or Mexican citizens to work temporarily in specified US professions under USMCA.
• Applicants must have a qualifying job offer, proper degree or license, and plan to return home eventually.
• Self-employment is prohibited; recent USCIS rules tighten qualifications for engineers and scientific technicians.

If you’re a Canadian 🇨🇦 or Mexican 🇲🇽 professional thinking about working in the United States 🇺🇸, the TN visa could be your best option. This visa is part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which replaced NAFTA in 2020. The TN visa lets certain professionals work in the United States 🇺🇸 if they meet specific requirements. The list of jobs that qualify is found in Appendix 2 of USMCA Chapter 16. This guide will help you figure out if you qualify, what you need, what might disqualify you, and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements right now.

Who Can Apply for a TN Visa?

The TN visa is only for citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽. Permanent residents of these countries do not qualify. You must also have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a position that matches one of the professional occupations listed in Appendix 2 of USMCA Chapter 16. Self-employment is not allowed.

Key Yes/No Qualification Criteria

To quickly check if you might qualify for a TN visa, answer these questions:

• Are you a citizen of Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽?
• Do you have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a position listed in Appendix 2 of USMCA Chapter 16?
• Do you meet the education or licensing requirements for that job?
• Is your job offer for a real, professional-level position (not self-employment)?
• Will you be working temporarily in the United States 🇺🇸 (not seeking permanent residence right now)?

If you answered “yes” to all, you may qualify. If you answered “no” to any, read on for more details and possible alternatives.

Detailed Requirements for the TN Visa

Let’s break down the main requirements and what they mean in real life.

1. Citizenship

• You must be a citizen of Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽.
  • Permanent residents, even with a green card or similar status, do not qualify.
  • Dual citizens may apply if one citizenship is Canadian or Mexican.

2. Job Offer in a Listed Profession

• Your job must be on the official list in Appendix 2 of USMCA Chapter 16.
  • This list includes jobs like engineer, scientist, teacher, economist, and many more.
  • The job offer must be from a U.S. employer. You cannot sponsor yourself or work as an independent contractor.

Examples of Eligible Professions:
– Engineer (requires a bachelor’s or licenciatura degree in engineering)
– Biologist, Chemist, Geologist, Geophysicist, Meteorologist, Physicist (all require a bachelor’s or licenciatura degree)
– Dentist, Dietitian, Pharmacologist, Poultry Scientist, Plant Breeder, Horticulturist, Forester (each requires a bachelor’s or licenciatura degree, and sometimes a license)
– Teacher (requires a bachelor’s degree)
– Graphic Designer (requires a bachelor’s or licenciatura degree, or a post-secondary diploma/certificate plus three years of experience)
– Economist (requires a bachelor’s or licenciatura degree)

Where to find the full list?
You can see the complete list of TN professions in Appendix 2 of USMCA Chapter 16.

3. Education or Licensing

• You must have the required degree or license for your profession.
  • Most jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
  • Some jobs, like forester or graphic designer, may accept a diploma or certificate plus work experience.
  • If a license is needed (for example, for some healthcare jobs), you must have it before you apply.

Example:
If you want to work as a civil engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. If you want to be a dietitian, you need a bachelor’s degree in dietetics or a related field.

4. Temporary Entry

• You must plan to work in the United States 🇺🇸 temporarily.
  • The TN visa is not for permanent immigration.
  • You can renew the TN visa as many times as you want, but you must always show you plan to return home eventually.

5. Pre-Arranged Employment

• You must have a job offer before you apply.
  • The job must be with a U.S. employer.
  • The employer must provide a detailed letter describing the job, your qualifications, and how your job fits the TN list.

6. No Self-Employment

• You cannot use the TN visa to start your own business or work as a freelancer.
  • The job must be with a real employer who controls your work.

Recent Changes and Stricter Rules

In June 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made some rules stricter for certain jobs:

• Scientific Technician/Technologist:
  You must have real science or engineering knowledge and work under a qualified supervisor. Jobs that involve direct patient care (like nurses or medical assistants) do not qualify. Lab support jobs may qualify if they are tied to scientific work.

• Engineer:
  USCIS uses a four-part test. You must have a degree in engineering, your job duties must match real engineering work, and your job title must reflect true engineering tasks. Most software or IT jobs do not qualify unless they are clearly engineering roles.

• Employment Requirements:
  You must work for a U.S. employer. Self-employment is not allowed. Your job must match the profession listed in the treaty.

What Documents Do You Need?

When applying for a TN visa, you must provide:

• Proof of citizenship (passport)
• Job offer letter from your U.S. employer, with details about the job, your duties, and how you qualify
• Proof of education or license (degree certificates, transcripts, licenses)
• Resume or CV
• Any required licenses or certifications for your profession

For Canadians 🇨🇦:
– You can apply at a U.S. port of entry (land border or airport pre-clearance) or by filing Form I-129 if you are already in the United States 🇺🇸.

For Mexicans 🇲🇽:
– You must first apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate in Mexico 🇲🇽. After approval, you can enter the United States 🇺🇸.

How Long Can You Stay?

• The TN visa is valid for up to three years at a time.
• You can renew it as many times as needed, as long as you still qualify.
• Each time you renew, you must show you still plan to return home eventually.

Disqualifying Factors

You will not qualify for a TN visa if:

• You are not a citizen of Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽.
• Your job offer is not on the Appendix 2 list.
• You do not have the required degree, diploma, or license.
• Your job is not with a U.S. employer (self-employment or freelance work is not allowed).
• You plan to live in the United States 🇺🇸 permanently (the TN visa is for temporary stays).
• Your job duties do not match the listed profession (for example, if you have the title “engineer” but your work is really IT support).
• You have a criminal record or immigration violations that make you inadmissible to the United States 🇺🇸.

Examples of Common Disqualifications:

• Software Developer: Most software and IT jobs do not qualify unless they are specifically engineering roles.
• Nurse or Medical Assistant: These jobs are not on the TN list.
• Business Owner: You cannot use the TN visa to run your own business in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Unlisted Professions: Jobs like marketing manager, sales representative, or general manager are not on the TN list.

Alternative Options if You Don’t Qualify

If you do not qualify for a TN visa, you may have other options:

• H-1B Visa: For specialty occupations that require at least a bachelor’s degree. This visa is open to people from all countries, but there is an annual lottery and strict caps.
• L-1 Visa: For employees transferring within the same company from abroad to a U.S. office.
• E-2 Treaty Investor Visa: For citizens of countries with a treaty with the United States 🇺🇸 who want to invest in a U.S. business.
• Student Visa (F-1): If you want to study in the United States 🇺🇸 and later seek work authorization.
• O-1 Visa: For people with extraordinary ability in their field (science, arts, education, business, or athletics).

How to Improve Your Chances

If you’re not eligible now but want to qualify in the future, here’s what you can do:

• Get the Required Degree: If your job requires a bachelor’s degree and you don’t have one, consider completing your studies.
• Gain Relevant Experience: For jobs that accept experience in place of a degree (like graphic designer), build up your work history and keep records of your experience.
• Obtain Necessary Licenses: If your profession requires a license, start the process early. Some licenses take time to get, especially if you need to pass exams or meet state requirements.
• Choose the Right Job Title: Make sure your job title and duties match the TN list. If your job is close to a listed profession, talk to your employer about adjusting your title or duties.
• Work with an Immigration Attorney: If you’re unsure about your eligibility, a qualified attorney can help you review your case and suggest the best path forward.

Practical Steps to Apply

1. Confirm Your Eligibility: Check the official list in Appendix 2 of USMCA Chapter 16 and make sure your job and qualifications match.
2. Get a Job Offer: Secure a written offer from a U.S. employer for a job on the list.
3. Gather Documents: Collect your passport, degree, transcripts, licenses, resume, and job offer letter.
4. Apply:
   • Canadians 🇨🇦: Apply at a U.S. port of entry or by filing Form I-129 if already in the United States 🇺🇸.
   • Mexicans 🇲🇽: Apply at a U.S. consulate in Mexico 🇲🇽.
5. Attend Interview (if required): Be ready to answer questions about your job, qualifications, and plans.
6. Enter the United States 🇺🇸: Once approved, you can start working for your U.S. employer.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Be Honest: Never provide false information or fake documents.
• Be Prepared: Bring all original documents and copies.
• Be Clear: Your job offer letter should clearly explain your duties and how they match the TN list.
• Stay Updated: Rules can change. Check the USCIS website for the latest information.

What Happens After Approval?

• You can start working for your U.S. employer right away.
• You can travel in and out of the United States 🇺🇸 while your TN status is valid.
• If you change jobs, you must apply for a new TN visa with your new employer.
• If you want to extend your stay, you must show you still meet all requirements.

What if You’re Denied?

If your application is denied, you should:

• Ask for a written explanation.
• Review the reason for denial—sometimes it’s a missing document or unclear job duties.
• Fix any problems and reapply if possible.
• Consider other visa options if you are not eligible for TN.

Recent Trends and What to Expect

As reported by VisaVerge.com, recent changes have made the TN visa process stricter, especially for jobs like scientific technician/technologist and engineer. USCIS now looks more closely at your education, job duties, and whether your job really matches the TN list. Employers and applicants should pay close attention to these details to avoid delays or denials.

Key Takeaways

• The TN visa is a great option for Canadian 🇨🇦 and Mexican 🇲🇽 professionals with job offers in listed professions.
• You must have the right degree or license, a real job offer, and plan to work temporarily in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Self-employment and jobs not on the list do not qualify.
• If you don’t qualify, other visa options may be available.
• Always check the latest rules on the USCIS website and consider professional help if you’re unsure.

By following these steps and understanding the requirements, you can decide if the TN visa is right for you and take action to improve your chances of success.

Learn Today

TN visa → A temporary US work visa for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA agreement.
USMCA → United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replacing NAFTA, governing trade and professional work visas like TN.
Appendix 2 → A USMCA chapter listing specific professions eligible for TN visa status.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, agency managing visa and immigration processes.
Form I-129 → USCIS form used to petition for work visas including TN visa extensions within the US.

This Article in a Nutshell

The TN visa offers Canadian and Mexican professionals a streamlined way to work temporarily in the U.S. under USMCA. Strict job and education requirements apply. Self-employment is excluded. Recent rules have tightened scrutiny, especially for engineers and scientific technicians, ensuring only qualified professionals benefit from this visa option.
— By VisaVerge.com