TN Visa: Physical Therapist

Background of Physical Therapist TN Visa Category

  • The TN visa occupational category for Physical Therapist 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 Physical Therapist 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.

TN Visa Physical Therapist Applicant Requirements:

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

    • Bachelor’s degree;

    • Licenciatura Degree.; or

    • State or Provincial License.

  • Additional information on the educational background of Physical Therapists 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).

  • Health Care Worker Certificate (Visa Screen) Requirement:

    • Individuals applying for TN visa status under the Physical Therapists category have to obtain a Health Care Worker (Visa Screen) certificate before they are able to obtain TN visa status.

TN Visa Physical Therapist Job Duty Requirements:

  • The TN visa regulations do not specifically define the types of Physical Therapist 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.