TN Visa Professions List: A 2025 Guide
- The TN visa allows qualified Canadian and Mexican professionals to work in the U.S., but eligibility depends on meeting specific education and role requirements.
- Job titles may not match the TN professions list exactly, but roles can still qualify if duties align with listed categories.
- Certain TN professions, like physicians and engineers, have stricter documentation requirements, making professional guidance essential for approval.
- Consulting an experienced TN visa attorney can help map your experience to eligible professions and increase your chances of a successful petition.
The TN visa is part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA (formerly the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA). This visa allows skilled professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the United States for a U.S. employer if they qualify.
The USMCA includes an official TN visa professions list. This list outlines the jobs eligible for TN status. It’s what government officials use to determine if your profession qualifies for TN status.
In this article, we’ll explore the full list of TN-eligible professions. We’ll also share clear explanations, examples, and guidance to help you determine whether your role qualifies. Plus, we’ll explore real-world case studies of clients we’ve helped secure TN visas here at Manifest Law.
| 🧑⚖️ Clear guidance, without the legal jargon. This article is informed and reviewed by Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys—and written to make the law make sense. Because you deserve to understand the system, not fight it. Check out our editorial policy for more info. |
The Official TN Professions List
To start, let’s take a look at the complete TN visa professions. This list is adapted directly from the NAFTA/USMCA guidance.
Jump to a section:
- General TN visa professions
- Medical/allied professionals
- Scientists
- Teachers
- What if my title doesn’t match the TN profession list exactly?
- How to determine if your job title qualifies
General
| Profession | Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials |
| 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 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary 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 claims adjustment and training |
| Economist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Engineer | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license |
| Forester | 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/federal license |
| Landscape Architect | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Lawyer | LL.B., J.D., LL.L., B.C.L. or 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 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 |
| Range Manager/Range Conservationalist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Research Assistant | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Scientific Technician/Technologist | Theoretical knowledge of a discipline like agricultural sciences, biology, chemistry, or engineering; and the ability to solve practical problems in those disciplines |
| 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 Professional
| Profession | Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials |
| Dentist | D.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) | 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) | M.D. or 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 | D.V.M., D.M.V. or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license |
Scientist
| Profession | Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials |
| 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 |
| Geologist | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Geochemist | 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
| Profession | Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials |
| College | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| Seminary | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
| University | Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree |
What if My Title Doesn’t Match the TN Profession List Exactly?
Clearly, the TN list is specific about what professions are eligible for the visa. But what if your job title isn’t on the list?
In many situations, you can still secure a TN visa, even if your job title isn’t an exact match to a TN profession. These situations include:
New job titles
Job titles change all the time. For example, a modern role like “Data Scientist” might not appear on the official TN professions list, but its core duties could qualify under the “Mathematician” or “Computer Systems Analyst” categories. As long as the actual job aligns with TN requirements, a newer job title shouldn’t disqualify you.
Similar job titles
There are no universal standards for job titles. One company might use the title “Graphic Designer” while another prefers “Graphic Lead” or “Digital Designer” for the exact same job. Again, as long as you meet the profession’s requirements, your exact title shouldn’t matter.
Broad category
Some TN categories are broader than others. For example, “Management Consultant” covers a wide range of advisory and analytical roles across industries, many of which have different titles.
| NOTE: Generally, a good way to see if your role may qualify under a listed occupation that isn’t an exact title match is to see if your duties align with the government’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) definition for the role (and the listed typical duties for that definition). This is because the government regularly cites and points to the OOH to help define the TN occupations. |
Situations Where it Can Be Helpful to Have an Exact Title Match
While some professions offer some flexibility with job titles, others can be much more rigid. This generally applies to categories with strict educational and licensing requirements. For example, if you meet the requirements for the “Registered Nurse” category, that will be your job title.
In addition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently revised its TN visa guidelines. These revisions include stricter documentation requirements and eligibility criteria for certain TN professions. Those professions include:
- Computer System Analysts
- Economists
- Engineers
- Physicians
- Scientific Technicians/Technologists
In the face of these changes, qualifying for a TN visa under one of these categories is much more difficult. Even if your title matches, your role must also align with the strict criteria outlined in the USCIS policy manual. (For example, physicians are only TN-eligible if their role is limited to teaching and/or research. They can’t engage in direct patient care unless it’s directly related to their teaching or research role.)
How to Determine if Your Job Title Qualifies You for TN Status
To determine if you qualify, you need to explore the TN visa requirements by profession. These will give you the details you need to evaluate your own qualifications and how they compare.
If your job title isn’t an exact match or you’re not sure if your job qualifies, consider consulting an immigration attorney. An experienced lawyer can help you better understand the TN visa’s professional and education requirements and whether you meet them.
| 💡Need Help Understanding if You Qualify for a TN Visa? You don’t have to figure it out alone. At Manifest Law, our immigration attorneys build visa strategies around you—your achievements, your goals, and your vision for life in the U.S. We’ll help you understand if you qualify for TN status and chart the smartest path forward. Learn more about working with our experienced TN visa lawyers. |
Take our visa eligibility quiz to find out where you stand and what to do next.
Examples from Real TN Visa Cases
Sometimes, the best way to understand how TN professions are evaluated is by looking at real-life examples.
Let’s take a look at a few recent successful Manifest Law TN visa cases. We’ll explore the details of each case and how we framed the client’s professional experience to meet TN requirements.
TN Visa Example #1: Senior Solutions Engineer
- Field: Solutions Engineering (Civil & Geospatial Data Analysis)
- TN Profession: Engineers, All Other
- Nationality: Canada
- Outcome: TN approved
This client, a Canadian national, applied for a Senior Solutions Engineer role at a geospatial data company. With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and extensive experience designing technical solutions, leading client projects, and integrating advanced geospatial technologies, their profile aligned perfectly with the TN “Engineers, All Other” category.
Manifest’s attorney focused on:
- The client’s technical expertise in civil engineering and geospatial technologies
- Their leadership and client engagement experience
- Alignment of educational and professional experience with TN requirements
Read the full case study here.
TN Visa Example #2: Registered Nurse (RN)
- Field: Nursing
- TN Profession: Registered Nurse
- Nationality: Canada
- Outcome: TN approved
This Canadian RN applied for a TN visa for a nursing position in the U.S. The applicant held a Master of Science in clinical nurse leadership, active RN licensure in two states, and over five years of hands-on experience in medical-surgical and telemetry units.
Manifest’s attorney highlighted:
- The client’s advanced academic credentials in nursing leadership and active U.S. licensure
- Their professional experience supporting critical patient care
- Alignment of the role with TN nursing standards
Read the full case study here.
TN Visa Example #3: Management Consultant
- Field: Management Consulting (Financial Services & Digital Transformation)
- TN Profession: Management Consultant
- Nationality: Canada
- Outcome: TN approved
The client, a Canadian management consultant, specialized in digital transformation, investment technology infrastructure, and process optimization within the financial services sector. The TN petition highlighted the client’s extensive experience.
Manifest’s experienced immigration attorney built a case around:
- The client’s expertise in financial technology and process improvement
- Their strong academic and professional background
- The role’s advisory nature, aligning with TN Management Consultant criteria
Read the full case study here.
Take the Next Step Toward Your TN Visa
Securing TN status isn’t always as simple as scanning the professions list for your job title and sending in a visa application. It often requires a more strategic approach to identify where your professional experience most aligns—and to position your experience in a way that speaks to the eligibility criteria.
At Manifest Law, we’re here to help you build that strategy. Our experienced TN visa lawyers have helped thousands of Canadian and Mexican professionals successfully petition for TN status and start their careers in the U.S. Request a consultation to get staretd today.
Manifest’s expertise in immigration drives 90%+ approval rates and services that will make your immigration journey seamless and stress-free: risk-free filing with 100% money-back guarantee plan; personalized case support with profile building and former USCIS experts review; and live case tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions About the TN Visa Professions List
Can my work experience substitute for a degree?
Most TN professions have strict degree/educational requirements. There are, however, some categories, like management consultant, that will consider work experience in place of a degree. If you’re unsure if your educational or professional background qualifies, talk to a TN visa lawyer.
What documents prove my profession?
When you apply for a TN visa, you’ll need to submit proof of your professional and educational experience. This could include diplomas, professional licenses, transcripts, reference letters, and detailed job descriptions.
Do I need to be employed full-time to apply for TN status?
No. As long as the job meets all TN requirements, both part-time and full-time roles are eligible.
Can I transition from TN status to a Green Card later?
TN falls under the nonimmigrant visa category, which means it doesn’t offer a direct path to permanent residency. But as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you can transition from TN status to a Green Card through other channels (like applying for an EB-1 visa or marrying a U.S. citizen). However, be mindful that the TN visa is a single-intent visa: you are not allowed to have the intention to permanently immigrate to the United States.
