TN Visa: Animal Breeder

Background of Animal Breeder TN Visa Category

  • The TN visa occupational category for Animal Breeder was first listed in the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1989. See 54 Federal Register 12 (Jan. 3, 1989). The predecessor to NAFTA, the FTA provided work authorization under TC visa status, which was only available to Canadian citizens.

  • The occupational category for Animal Breeder was carried over and included in the NAFTA list, and now USMCA, of available occupations in 1994. See 58 FR 69205 (Dec. 30, 1993).

TN Visa Animal Breeder Applicant Requirements:

  • To qualify for TN visa status under the occupational category for Animal Breeder, an individual must possess one of the following:

    • Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) degree

    • Licenciatura Degree

  • In 1990, members of the FTA considered whether alternative credentials to the Bachelor's degree requirement would be accepted for qualifying as an Animal Breeder. See 55 FR 6694 (Feb. 26, 1990). After research and consultation, the FTA members determined that the term "animal breeder" applied to an animal breeder who was a scientist. As result, the group did not modify the bachelor degree requirement for this profession. See 56 FR 11528 (March 19, 1991).

  • The regulations governing TN visa status generally do not provide any guidance on the type of degrees or majors suitable for a particular TN occupational category.

  • To determine the types of degrees suitable for Animal Breeder for purposes of a TN visa, we may refer to U.S. Department of Labor publications such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). See Royal Siam Corp. v. Chertoff, 484 F.3d 139, 145 (1st Cir. 2007).

TN Visa Animal Breeder Job Duty Requirements:

  • The TN visa regulations do not specifically define the types of Animal Breeder positions or job duties that are permissible under this TN category.

  • The legacy NAFTA Handbook provides some minimal guidance stating that Animal Breeders "breed animals...to improve their economic and aesthetic characteristics." NAFTA Handbook, pg. 137.

  • Like the degree requirement, individuals should refer to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) for guidance on the generally accepted job duties for this occupation.

More Information:

Revised April 29, 2023.