TN Visa: Apiculturist

Background of Apiculturist TN Visa Category

  • The TN visa occupational category for Apiculturists was not listed in the initial version of the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1989 (the predecessor to NAFTA). See 54 Federal Register 12 (Jan. 3, 1989).

  • In 1990, the addition of Apiculturist into the FTA was proposed "since it belong[ed] to the class of agricultural scientists, and other professions in that class were included in the original schedule." See 55 FR 6694 (Feb. 26, 1990). The Apiculturist occupation was formally added to the FTA in 1991. 56 FR 480 (Jan. 7, 1991).

  • The occupational category for Apiculturist 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 Apiculturist Applicant Requirements:

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

    • Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) degree

    • Licenciatura Degree

  • 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 an Apiculturist 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 Apiculturist Job Duty Requirements:

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

  • 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.