NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, is an agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Among its many provisions, NAFTA creates special economic and trade relationships for the three countries.
NAFTA-Eligible Professions
Citizens of the three countries may work in each other's countries under NAFTA visas if they are properly qualified in a profession that is on the NAFTA list and if they have a job offer in that profession in one of the three NAFTA countries.
To see the full list of professions that are covered by NAFTA, visit the document's chapter 16, specifically "Appendix 1603.D.1: Professionals." In summary, the following healthcare professionals and healthcare-related professionals are covered by NAFTA:
Profession:<>Registered Nurse
Requirements:State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:<>Dentist
Requirements:DDS, DMD, Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental; or state/provincial license
Profession:<>Dietitian
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license
Profession:<>Nutritionist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:<>Medical Laboratory Technologist (Canada)/Medical Technologist (Mexico and the United States) (A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to perform in a laboratory chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic or bacteriological tests and analyses for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease.)
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma or Post-Secondary Certificate, and three years experience
Profession:<>Occupational Therapist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license
Profession:<>Physiotherapist/Physical Therapist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license
Profession:<>Pharmacist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license
Profession:<>Physician (teaching or research only)
Requirements:MD or Doctor en Medicina; or state/provincial license
Profession:<>Psychologist
Requirements:State/provincial license; or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:<>Recreational Therapist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Veterinarian
Requirements:DVM, DMV, or Doctor en Veterinaria; or state/provincial license
Profession:Biochemist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Biologist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Chemist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:<>Epidemiologist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Geneticist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Pharmacologist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Physicist
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Teacher (College/University)
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:<>Social Worker
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Vocational Counsellor
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Scientific Technician/Technologist (A business person in this category must be seeking temporary entry to work in direct support of professionals in agricultural sciences, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, forestry, geology, geophysics, meteorology or physics.)
Requirements: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
Profession:Research Assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)
Requirements:Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree
Profession:Management Consultant
Requirements: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
Profession:<>Librarian
Requirements:MLS or BLS (for which another Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite)
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Note: Applicants under NAFTA who are in licensed professions (e.g., RNs) must also complete licensing requirements for the country/state/province in which they will work.
Documents Required for NAFTA Visas
Canadians and Americans can apply for their NAFTA visa at any port of entry. In general, the documents required are:
- Proof of citizenship.
- Proof that you meet the minimum education, experience, and licensing requirements set for your profession.
- Proof of pre-arranged employment (e.g., an employment letter including details about the professional level activity you will carry out, your job title, a summary of your job duties, the starting date and expected length of temporary stay, and arrangement for pay).
- Fee.
NAFTA Numbers
The Department of Homeland Security reported that in 2006, 74,098 professionals (64,633 Canadians and 9,247 Mexicans) worked in the United States on NAFTA TN visas. In 2006, Canada saw 16,841 Americans and 13,933 Mexican foreign workers (including those on NAFTA visas and other work permits) enter the country.