TN
REVIEW:
TN status offers temporary stay in the U.S. to Canadian and Mexican professionals, qualified in a listed profession or occupation, who wish to engage in business activities at a professional level. Canadians and Mexicans who are qualified in one of the listed professions can work in TN status for a specified U.S. employer. 63 professions and occupations are listed, ranging from accountants to vocational counselors and the list includes a variety of medical and scientific occupations.
REQUIREMENTS:
| 1. | Applicant is a Canadian or Mexican citizen | |
| 2. | U.S. entity is offering him/her a position requiring qualification in a listed profession or occupation | |
| 3. | Applicant is appropriately qualified for the position | |
| a. | Generally a minimum of a baccalaureate degree | |
| b. | Degree referred to must be in the specific or a closely related area of knowledge | |
| c. | Categories such as management consultant, computer systems analyst, scientific technician merely require a post-secondary diploma and/or experience (see list below) | |
| 4. | May not amount to self-employment | |
| a. | TN applicant may not own or control the U.S. entity offering the position | |
| 5. | Canadians apply for TN status at a major port of entry | |
| a. | Processing while you wait | |
| b. | TN applications are normally supported by a letter describing the employment and evidence of the applicant’s qualifications | |
| 6. | Mexicans apply by filing a petition at a regional service center according to the place of work | |
| a. | Mexican citizens must be paid prevailing wage for the position and are subject to the same labor requirements as for the H-1B status | |
| 7. | TN status granted for up to three years at a time | |
| a. | No maximum number of extensions or new applications but applicant must show that the proposed stay in the U.S. is temporary with a reasonably finite and predictable end. | |
| b. | Limited to the stated employer in the specified position. A new application must be made for employment with a different or additional employer | |
| 8. | Holder of TN status may reside in the U.S. with spouse and children (under 21) | |
| a. | Spouse and children are not authorized to work in the U.S. although they may attend U.S. schools | |
CURRENT LIST OF TN PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
ACCOUNTANT: baccalaureate degree, C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A.
ARCHITECT: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license *1
COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST: baccalaureate degree, or post- secondary diploma and three years’ experience
DISASTER RELIEF INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER: baccalaureate degree or three years’ experience in the field of claims adjustment
ECONOMIST: baccalaureate degree
ENGINEER: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license *1
FORESTER: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license *1
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: baccalaureate degree, or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience
HOTEL MANAGER: baccalaureate degree in hotel/restaurant management, or post-secondary diploma in hotel/restaurant management and three years’ experience in hotel/restaurant management
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER: baccalaureate degree, or post- secondary diploma and three years’ experience
INTERIOR DESIGNER: baccalaureate degree, or post- secondary diploma and three years’ experience
LAND SURVEYOR: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial/federal license *1
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: baccalaureate degree
LAWYER: member of bar in province or state, or L.L.B., J.D., L.L.L., or B.C.L.
LIBRARIAN: M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another baccalaureate degree was a prerequisite)
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT: baccalaureate degree or five years’ experience in consulting or related field
MATHEMATICIAN: baccalaureate degree
MEDICAL/ALLIED PROFESSIONALS
– Dentist: D.D.S., D.M.D., or state/provincial license *1
– Dietitian: baccalaureate degree, or state/provincial license *1
– Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/
– Medical Technologist (U.S.): baccalaureate degree, or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience *2
– Nutritionist: baccalaureate degree
– Occupational Therapist: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license *1
– Pharmacist: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license *1
– Physician (Teaching and/or Research only): M.D. or state/provincial license *1
– Physio/Physical Therapist: baccalaureate degree or state/provincial license *1
– Psychologist: state/provincial license *1
– Recreational Therapist: baccalaureate degree
– Registered Nurse: state/provincial license *1
– Veterinarian: D.V.M., D.M.V., or state/provincial license *1
RANGE MANAGER (Range Conservationist): baccalaureate degree
RESEARCH ASSISTANT (working in a post- secondary educational institution): baccalaureate degree
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN/TECHNOLOGIST:
– Must work in direct support of professionals in the following disciplines: Agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering , forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, or physics;
– Must possess theoretical knowledge of the discipline; and
– Must solve practical problems in the discipline, or apply principles of the discipline to basic or applied research
SCIENTIST
– Agriculturist (Agronomist): baccalaureate degree
– Animal breeder: baccalaureate degree
– Animal Scientist: baccalaureate degree
– Apiculturist: baccalaureate degree
– Astronomer: baccalaureate degree
– Biochemist: baccalaureate degree
– Biologist: baccalaureate degree
– Chemist: baccalaureate degree
– Dairy Scientist: baccalaureate degree
– Entomologist: baccalaureate degree
– Epidemiologist: baccalaureate degree
– Geneticist: baccalaureate degree
– Geochemist: baccalaureate degree
– Geologist: baccalaureate degree
– Geophysicist: baccalaureate degree
– Horticulturist: baccalaureate degree
– Meteorologist: baccalaureate degree
– Pharmacologist: baccalaureate degree
– Physicist: baccalaureate degree
– Plant Breeder: baccalaureate degree
– Poultry Scientist: baccalaureate degree
– Soil Scientist: baccalaureate degree
– Zoologist: baccalaureate degree
SOCIAL WORKER: baccalaureate degree
SYLVICULTURIST (Forest Specialist): baccalaureate degree
TEACHER
– College: baccalaureate degree
– Seminary: baccalaureate degree
– University: baccalaureate degree
TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS WRITER: baccalaureate degree, or post-secondary diploma and three years’ experience
URBAN PLANNER: baccalaureate degree
VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR: baccalaureate degree
*1 The terms “state/provincial license” and “state/provincial/federal license” mean any document issued by, or under the authority of, a state, provincial, or federal government which permits a person to engage in a regulated activity or profession
*2 Must be seeking entry to perform in a laboratory, chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease
Effective 1.1.94., Licenciatura degree may substitute for baccalaureate degree