TN

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) creates special economic and trade relationships for the United States (U.S.), Canada and Mexico. The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals, to work in the U.S. in a prearranged business activity for a U.S. or foreign employer. Permanent residents, including Canadian permanent residents, are not able to apply to work as a NAFTA professional.

How Can Professionals from Mexico and Canada Work in the U.S.?

Professionals of Canada or Mexico may work in the U.S. under the following conditions:

  • Applicant is a citizen of Canada or Mexico;
  • Profession is on the NAFTA list;
  • Position in the U.S. requires a NAFTA professional;
  • Mexican or Canadian applicant is to work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job, for a U.S. employer (see documentation required). Self employment is not permitted;
  • Professional Canadian or Mexican citizen has the qualifications of the profession.

Note: The application requirements for citizens of Canada and Mexico, shown below are different.

Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens usually do not need a visa as a NAFTA Professional, although a visa can be issued to qualified TN visa applicants upon request. A Canadian citizen without a TN visa can apply at a U.S. port of entry.

When Does a Canadian NAFTA Professional Need a Visa? A Canadian residing in another country with a non-Canadian spouse and child would need a visa to enable the spouse and child to be able to apply for a visa to accompany or join the NAFTA Professional, as a TD visa holder. Canadians applying for a visa will follow the same documentation requirements as shown in the sections Mexican Citizens, Applying for a TN Visa, and Required Documentation.

Requirements for Mexican Citizens

Mexican citizens require a visa to request admission to the U.S. (A USCIS approved petition is not required).

Applying for a TN Visa

NAFTA applicants must meet specific requirements to qualify for a NAFTA Professional Worker (TN) visa under immigration law. The consular officer will determine whether you qualify for the visa. Applicants may apply at consular sections around the world for a NAFTA professional (TN) visa. As part of the visa application process, an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate is required for visa applicants from age 14 to 79, with few exceptions. Persons age 13 and younger, and age 80 and older, generally do not require an interview, unless requested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Making your appointment for an interview is the first step in the visa application process. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the website at travel.state.gov, and on most U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites. Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply for your visa to find out how to schedule an interview appointment, pay the fees and any other instructions.

During the visa application process, usually at the interview, an ink-free digital fingerprint scan will be quickly taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer.

Spouses and Children

Spouses and children (unmarried children under the age of 21) who are accompanying or following to join NAFTA Professionals (TN visa holders) may receive a TD visa. Applicants must demonstrate a bona fide spousal or parent-child relationship to the principal TN visa holder. Dependents do not have to be citizens of Mexico or Canada. Spouses and children cannot work while in the U.S. They are permitted to study.

  • Canadian citizen spouses and children do not need visas, but review the CBP website for the port of entry requirements:
  • Spouse and children are not Canadian citizens – They must get a TD nonimmigrant visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. They should review U.S. Embassy or Consulate website how to apply information.
  • Mexican citizen spouses and children must apply for TD nonimmigrant visas at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate,
  • Spouses or children following to join must show a valid I-94, thereby providing proof that the principal TN visa holder is maintaining his/her TN visa status.

NAFTA Professional Job Series List

For a complete list of professions with minimum education requirements and alternative credentials, see below. With some exceptions, each profession requires a baccalaureate degree as an entry-level requirement. If a baccalaureate is required, experience cannot be substituted for that degree. In some professions, an alternative criteria to a bachelor’s degree is listed. For some professions, experience is required in addition to the degree.

  • Accountant: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A.
  • Architect: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.[1]
  • Computer Systems Analyst: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma[2] or Post-Secondary Certificate[3] and three years’ experience.
  • Disaster Relief Insurance Claims Adjuster (claims adjuster employed by an insurance company located in the territory of a Party, or an independent claims adjuster): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims; or three years’ experience in claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims.
  • Economist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Engineer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
  • Forrester: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
  • Graphic Designer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate and three years’ experience.
  • Hotel Manager: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in hotel/restaurant management; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate in hotel/restaurant management and three years’ experience in hotel/restaurant management.
  • Industrial Designer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate and three years’ experience.
  • Interior Designer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate and three years’ experience.
  • Land Surveyor: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
  • Landscape Architect: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Laywer (including Notary in the province of Qubec):L.B., J.D., L.L.L., B.C.L., or Licenciatura degree (five years); or membership in a state/provincial bar.
  • Librarian:L.S., or B.L.S. ( for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite).
  • Management Consultant: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or equivalent professional experience as established by statement or professional credential attesting to five years’ experience as a management consultant, or five years’ experience in a field of specialty related to the consulting agreement.
  • Mathematician (including Statistician): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.[4]
  • Range Manager/Range Conservationist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Scientific Technician/Technologist[5]: Possession of (a) theoretical knowledge of any of the following disciplines: agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics; and (b) the ability to solve practical problems in any of those disciplines, or the ability to apply principles of any of those disciplines to basic or applied research.
  • Social Worker: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Sylviculturist (including Forestry Specialist): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Technical Publications Writer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years’ experience.
  • Urban Planner (including Geographer): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Vocational Counselor: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

Medical/Allied Professionals

  • Dentist: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 (Canada)/Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States)[6]: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three 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):D. 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:V.M., D.M.V., or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license.

Scientist

  • Agriculturist (including Agronomist): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Animal Breeder: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Animal Scientist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Apiculturist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Astronomer: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Biochemist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Biologist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.[7]
  • Chemist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Dairy Scientist: 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 the United States): Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Horticulturist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Meteorologist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Pharmacologist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Physicist (including Oceanographer in Canada: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Plant Breeder: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Poultry Scientist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Soil Scientist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Zoologist: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

Teacher

  • College: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
  • Seminary: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura
  • University: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.

H-1B
H-1B1
E-3
L-1
TN
F-1 Student Visa & Status