TN Status - Professionals from Canada or Mexico

General Overview

NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement.  It creates special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico.  The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals to work in the United States.  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 United States?

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  

NAFTA Professional Job Series List

Shown below is job series list by profession, with Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials. 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, alternative criteria to a bachelor’s degree are listed.  For some professions, experience is required in addition to the degree.

• Accountant--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, C.P.A., C.A., C.G.A., or C.M.A.
• Architect--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Computer Systems Analyst--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree; or post-- secondary diploma or certificate and three years' experience
• Disaster Relief Insurance 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 the field of claims adjustment and successful completion of training in the appropriate areas of insurance adjustment pertaining to disaster relief claims
• Economist--baccalaureate degree or licenciatura degree
• Engineer--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Forester--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Graphic Designer--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree; or post--secondary diploma or certificate and three years' experience
• Hotel Manager--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree in hotel management; or post--secondary diploma or certificate and three years' experience
• Industrial Designer--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree; or post-- secondary diploma or certificate and three years' experience
• Interior Designer--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree; or post--secondary diploma or certificate and three years' experience
• Land Surveyor--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial/federal license
• Landscape Architect--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Lawyer (including Notary in the province of Quebec)--L.L.B., J.D., L.L.M., B.C.L., licenciatura degree (five years), or membership in a state/provincial bar
• Librarian--M.L.S. or B.L.S. (for which another baccalaureate or licenciatura degree was a prerequisite)
• Management Consultant--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or five years' experience in consulting or related field
• Mathematician (including Statistician)--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Range Manager/Range Conservationist--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Research Assistant (working in a post--secondary educational institution)-- baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Scientific Technician/Technologist
  • must work in direct support of professionals in the following disciplines: chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, meteorology, physics, astronomy, agricultural sciences, biology or forestry.
  • must possess theoretical knowledge of the discipline.
  • must possess ability to solve practical problems in the discipline, or the ability to apply principles of the discipline 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 certificate and three years' experience
• Urban Planner (including Geographer)--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Vocational Counselor--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Medical/Allied Professional
• Dentist --D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia, Doctor en Cirugia Dental, or state/provincial license
• Dietitian--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/ Medical Technologist (Mexico)-- baccalaureate or licenciatura degree; or post--secondary diploma or certificate and three years' experience
  • must be seeking entry to perform chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests, procedures, experiments, and analyses in laboratories for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease.
• Nutritionist--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Occupational Therapist--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Pharmacist--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Physician (teaching and/or research only)--M.D., Doctor en Medicina, or state/provincial license
• Physio/Physical Therapist--baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license
• Psychologist--licenciatura degree or state/provincial license
• Recreational Therapist--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree
• Registered Nurse--licenciatura degree or state/provincial license
• Veterinarian--D.V.M., D.M.V., 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
• 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)--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 degree
• University--baccalaureate or licenciatura degree