Key Takeaways
• TN visa requires credential evaluation for all degrees outside US, Canada, and Mexico starting June 2025.
• Credential evaluation must be from a reliable agency; work experience cannot replace degree requirements.
• Applicants must bring original diploma, transcripts, and evaluation report to visa interviews or inspections.
The TN visa is a special work permit that allows certain professionals from Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 to work in the United States 🇺🇸 for a temporary period. This visa was created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which is now called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The TN visa helps companies in the United States 🇺🇸 hire skilled workers from Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽 for jobs that require specific education or professional training.
If you want to apply for a TN visa and your degree is from a country other than the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, or Mexico 🇲🇽, there are special rules you must follow. These rules have changed recently, and it’s important to understand what you need to do to meet the new requirements.
What Is a TN Visa and Who Can Apply?
The TN visa is only for citizens of Canada 🇨🇦 and Mexico 🇲🇽. It allows them to work in the United States 🇺🇸 in certain jobs listed in the USMCA agreement. These jobs include professions like engineers, scientists, teachers, accountants, and many others. Each job on the list has its own education and training requirements.
To qualify for a TN visa, you must:
- Be a citizen of Canada 🇨🇦 or Mexico 🇲🇽 (permanent residents are not eligible)
- Have a job offer from a U.S. employer for a position listed in the USMCA agreement
- Meet the education or professional requirements for that job
- Plan to work in the United States 🇺🇸 temporarily
Why Credential Evaluation Matters for Foreign Degrees
Many TN professions require at least a bachelor’s degree. If you earned your degree in the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, or Mexico 🇲🇽, you can usually show your diploma and transcripts as proof. But if your degree is from another country, you must prove that your education is equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. This is where credential evaluation comes in.
A credential evaluation is a report from a special agency that reviews your foreign degree and compares it to degrees in the United States 🇺🇸. The agency checks your transcripts, courses, and the level of your degree to decide if it matches the U.S. education system.
2025 Policy Update: What Has Changed?
In June 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made important changes to the TN visa rules. Now, if your degree is from outside the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, or Mexico 🇲🇽, you must get a credential evaluation. This rule is stricter than before and is meant to make sure all TN visa holders meet the same standards.
Here are the main points of the new policy:
- Credential evaluation is required for all foreign degrees (outside the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, or Mexico 🇲🇽).
- The evaluation must come from a reliable credential evaluation service that specializes in foreign degrees.
- You cannot use work experience to replace the degree requirement. The degree or its equivalent must stand alone.
- You must bring your original diploma and transcripts, along with the evaluation report, to your visa interview or port-of-entry inspection.
Step-by-Step Guide: TN Visa Credential Evaluation for Foreign Degrees
If you have a degree from a country other than the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, or Mexico 🇲🇽, follow these steps to meet the TN visa requirements:
1. Check Your TN Profession and Degree Requirement
First, make sure your job is on the USMCA list of TN professions. Each job has its own education requirement. Some need a bachelor’s degree, while others may need a license or special training. You can find the list of TN professions and their requirements on the USCIS TN Visa page.
2. Gather Your Academic Documents
Collect your original diploma, transcripts, and any other records from your foreign school. These documents must be official and in good condition. If they are not in English, you may need to get them translated by a certified translator.
3. Choose a Credential Evaluation Service
Pick a credential evaluation agency that is recognized by U.S. immigration authorities. The agency should have experience with degrees from your country and be a member of a respected group, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Using a trusted agency helps avoid problems or delays with your application.
4. Submit Your Documents for Evaluation
Send your diploma, transcripts, and any other required documents to the evaluation agency. The agency will review your education and decide if it matches a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher, depending on what your TN profession needs.
5. Receive Your Evaluation Report
The agency will give you a report that explains how your foreign degree compares to a U.S. degree. The report should clearly state:
- The level of your degree (for example, bachelor’s)
- The field of study (for example, engineering, biology)
- That your degree is equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher
Keep this report safe, as you will need it for your TN visa application.
6. Prepare Your TN Visa Application
When you apply for the TN visa, include:
- The credential evaluation report
- Your original diploma and transcripts
- Your job offer letter from the U.S. employer
- Any other required forms or documents
If you are applying at a U.S. port of entry, bring all these documents with you. If you are applying through USCIS (for example, if you are already in the United States 🇺🇸 and want to change your status), include them in your application package.
7. Attend Your Interview or Inspection
At your visa interview or when you arrive at the U.S. border, you will meet with a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer or a USCIS officer. Show them your original documents and the credential evaluation report. They will check everything to make sure you meet the TN visa requirements.
Important Things to Remember
No Substitution of Experience
For the TN visa, you cannot use work experience to replace the degree requirement. Some other visas, like the H-1B, may let you combine experience and education, but the TN visa does not allow this. You must have the degree or its equivalent, as shown by the credential evaluation.
Licensing Requirements
If your TN profession also requires a state license (for example, nurses or doctors), you must get that license before you start working. The credential evaluation only proves your education; it does not replace any licensing rules.
Employment Restrictions
The TN visa is only for jobs with U.S. employers. You cannot use the TN visa for self-employment or to work for a foreign company that has offices in the United States 🇺🇸.
Where to Apply
You can apply for a TN visa at any Class A port of entry (major land borders or airports with international flights). If you are Canadian, you can also apply at pre-clearance stations in Canada 🇨🇦. If you are already in the United States 🇺🇸, you can apply to change your status through USCIS using Form I-129.
Real-World Example
Let’s say Maria is a citizen of Mexico 🇲🇽 and has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from a university in Spain 🇪🇸. She gets a job offer from a U.S. company as a chemist, which is a TN profession that requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Maria cannot just show her Spanish diploma. She must:
- Find a credential evaluation agency recognized by NACES.
- Send her Spanish diploma and transcripts to the agency.
- Receive a report stating her degree is equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
- Bring the report, her original diploma, and transcripts to her TN visa interview at the U.S. border.
If the officer agrees with the evaluation, Maria can get her TN visa and start working in the United States 🇺🇸.
How the 2025 Policy Update Affects Applicants
The new rules make it clear that everyone must meet the same education standards, no matter where they got their degree. This helps keep the TN visa program fair and strong. However, it also means more work for people with foreign degrees, as they must pay for and complete the credential evaluation process.
Key points to remember:
- Credential evaluation is now mandatory for all degrees from outside the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, or Mexico 🇲🇽.
- Work experience cannot replace the degree requirement.
- Original documents and the evaluation report must be presented at the time of application.
Expert Advice and Common Questions
Why is credential evaluation so important?
Immigration lawyers say that using a trusted credential evaluation service is the best way to avoid delays or denials. If your evaluation is not clear or comes from an unknown agency, your application could be rejected.
What if my degree is not equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree?
If the evaluation agency decides your degree is not equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, you will not qualify for the TN visa for jobs that require that level of education. You may need to take extra courses or get another degree to meet the requirements.
Can I use the same evaluation for other visas?
Sometimes, yes. Many U.S. visas require proof of education, and a good credential evaluation can be used for more than one application. However, always check the specific rules for each visa type.
How long does the evaluation take?
It depends on the agency, but most evaluations take 1-4 weeks. Some agencies offer faster service for an extra fee.
How much does credential evaluation cost?
Prices vary, but most agencies charge between $100 and $300 for a basic evaluation. More detailed reports or rush service may cost more.
Official Resources
For the most up-to-date information, always check the official USCIS TN visa page. This page has the latest rules, forms, and instructions for TN visa applicants.
You can also find a list of trusted credential evaluation agencies on the NACES website.
Looking Ahead: What Might Change?
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the 2025 policy update is the most recent change to the TN visa credential evaluation rules. There are no new changes expected right now, but immigration rules can change quickly. It’s a good idea to check the USCIS and Department of State websites often for any new announcements.
Summary and Next Steps
If you are a Canadian 🇨🇦 or Mexican 🇲🇽 citizen with a degree from outside North America and want to work in the United States 🇺🇸 under the TN visa, you must:
- Get a credential evaluation from a trusted agency
- Make sure your degree is equal to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher
- Bring your original diploma, transcripts, and evaluation report to your visa interview or border inspection
- Meet any licensing requirements for your profession
- Apply at a U.S. port of entry or through USCIS, following all instructions carefully
By following these steps, you can show that you meet the TN visa requirements and improve your chances of a smooth application process. Always use official resources and trusted agencies, and keep copies of all your documents for your records.
For more information, visit the official USCIS TN visa page and check with your chosen credential evaluation agency for their specific instructions. If you have questions about your situation, consider speaking with an immigration lawyer who understands TN visa rules and credential evaluation.
Learn Today
TN visa → A special work permit for Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA to work temporarily in the US.
Credential evaluation → A report comparing foreign academic degrees to U.S. degrees to confirm equivalence for visa eligibility.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency responsible for immigration benefits including TN visas.
USMCA → United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trade deal replacing NAFTA, defining TN visa professions.
NACES → National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, an organization accrediting reliable foreign degree evaluators.
This Article in a Nutshell
The TN visa allows Canadian and Mexican professionals to work temporarily in the US. New 2025 rules require foreign degrees to have mandatory credential evaluations from trusted agencies, ensuring their equivalence to U.S. standards for smooth application and compliance with USMCA job requirements.
— By VisaVerge.com
