TN Visa - Librarian

The TN visa occupational category for Librarians 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 Librarian was carried over and included in the NAFTA list of available occupations in 1994. See 58 FR 69205 (Dec. 30, 1993). All NAFTA occupations were carried over into the USMCA.

To qualify for TN visa status under the occupational category for Librarians, an individual must possess one of the following:
- Master's degree in Library Science; or
- Bachelor's degree in Library Science (for which another Bachelor's or Licenciatura Degree was a prerequisite).
Initially, under the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (the predecessor to NAFTA), an individual could qualify as a Librarian only by possessing a Master's degree in Library Science. 54 FR 48575 (Nov. 24, 1989).
In 1990, a Bachelor's degree in Library Science and three years' experience was proposed as an alternative credential to qualify as a Librarian. 55 FR 6694 (Feb. 26, 1990). This was changed to a Bachelor's degree in Library Science for which another bachelor's degree was a prerequisite. 56 FR 480 (Jan. 7, 1991).
Additional information on the educational background of Librarians may be found in the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). See Royal Siam Corp. v. Chertoff, 484 F.3d 139, 145 (1st Cir. 2007).

The TN visa regulations do not specifically define the types of Librarian 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.

Revised April 29, 2023.