TN Visa - Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist

Background of Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist TN Visa Category

  • The TN visa occupational category for Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist 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 Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist 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 Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist Applicant Requirements:

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

    • Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) degree; or

    • Licenciatura Degree.

  • Additional information on the educational background of Sylviculturists / Forestry Specialists 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).

TN Visa Social Worker Job Duty Requirements:

  • The TN visa regulations do not define the types of Sylviculturist / Forestry Specialist positions or job duties that are permissible under this TN category.

  • The NAFTA Handbook states that Sylviculturists "plan and supervise the growing, protection, and harvesting of trees."

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

More Information:

Revised April 29, 2023.