Major Updates from USCIS on TN Visas: Here’s What You Need to Know

By: Shela Ward

USCIS has just released a major update to its Policy Manual for the temporary nonimmigrant (TN) visa. What does this mean for your clients? These changes impact how employers can determine who’s eligible and what the application process looks like moving forward. At Park Evaluations, we stay on top of immigration policy updates like this, so we can help draft TN letters tailored to the new guidelines to make sure you and your clients stay ahead of the curve.

What’s Changed for TN Visas?

USCIS’ updates to the Policy Manual are significant – and they touch on everything from employment requirements to the application process.

Regarding employment requirements and eligibility, candidates still need to be Canadian or Mexican citizens with a valid job offer in one of the designated TN professions. But the updated guidance now makes it extra clear that the job has to be with a U.S.-based employer or entity, and self-employment is prohibited.

USCIS has also tightened the criteria for several TN professions:

• Engineers – The candidate’s degree must be directly related to the job being offered. Meaning a tech job that leans more into software or computer-related tasks than actual engineering probably won’t qualify anymore.
• Computer Systems Analysts – In a major change to previous policy, this category will now explicitly exclude roles that involve programming or software development.
• Economists – Positions like market research analyst, marketing specialist, or financial analyst no longer qualify in this category.
• Scientific Technicians/Technologists – This category is now limited to those who support supervisory roles in one of ten specific scientific disciplines, excluding roles involving patient care.
• Physicians – TN physicians are still prohibited from direct patient care, unless it’s part of a teaching or research role. While this hasn’t changed from previous policy, the updated guidelines reinforce it.

Finally, there are a few procedural changes, too. TN applications can now be submitted at any Class A port-of-entry, including land borders and airports with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) presence. Canadian nationals can also apply at pre-flight inspection stations in Canada, which adds flexibility and convenience to the process. When it comes to documentation, here’s what’s new:

• A degree from outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico will now require an academic equivalency evaluation.
• Candidates will need to show they meet any state licensing requirements for their profession.
• Job duties must clearly align with what’s expected for the TN profession category.

How Can Park Help?

Bottom line, these updates narrow eligibility for certain roles and clarify the path forward for TN applicants. If you’re unsure how these changes might affect your clients, Park can help you double-check qualifications, documentation, and job descriptions to make sure everything lines up.

With the new TN Policy Manual updates in mind, Park can provide TN letters that support placement of the offered position within a designated occupational category in order to meet TN requirements. We can also provide letters to outline a candidate’s qualifications for their profession. With stringent changes to several occupation types in the policy updates, we’re ready to help you determine the best route to meet these requirements and secure approval for your clients.