How to Qualify for a Visa Status as a Biologist

The profession of a Biologist is listed under the USMCA (NAFTA) professions list as a profession that qualifies for a TN visa. If you are a Canadian or Mexican Citizen with an offer of employment from a US employer as a biologist you may qualify to work and live in the US under a TN visa. We discuss the profession of a Biologist for a TN visa under the USMCA here.

What is a Biologist for TN Visa Purposes?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, biologists are defined as follows for immigration purposes: Biologists research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

Biologists can perform any of the following tasks:

• Prepare technical and research reports, such as environmental impact reports, and communicate the results to individuals in industry, government, or the general public.
• Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Collect and analyze biological data about relationships among and between organisms and their environment.
• Program and use computers to store, process, and analyze data.
• Supervise biological technicians and technologists and other scientists.
• Identify, classify, and study structure, behavior, ecology, physiology, nutrition, culture, and distribution of plant and animal species.
• Communicate test results to state and federal representatives and general public.
• Study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and function.
• Develop methods and apparatus for securing representative plant, animal, aquatic, or soil samples.
• Plan and administer biological research programs for government, research firms, medical industries, or manufacturing firms.
• Study aquatic plants and animals and environmental conditions affecting them, such as radioactivity or pollution.
• Write grant proposals to obtain funding for biological research.
• Research environmental effects of present and potential uses of land and water areas, determining methods of improving environmental conditions or such outputs as crop yields.
• Study and manage wild animal populations.
• Measure salinity, acidity, light, oxygen content, and other physical conditions of water to determine their relationship to aquatic life.
• Study reactions of plants, animals, and marine species to parasites.

“Biologist” Includes Plant Pathologists

Under NAFTA and now the USMCA, the term “Biologist” includes the profession of plant pathologist. The role of a biologist can include different subfields, depending on the specifics of the job and the qualifications of the individual. A plant pathologist, who specializes in the study of plant diseases and their management, falls under the broader category of biologist. This is because plant pathology is a subfield of biology that focuses on understanding, diagnosing, and controlling diseases that affect plants.

How Do I Qualify for TN Visa Status as a Biologist?

You might qualify for a TN visa status as a biologist if you meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Citizenship: Be a Canadian or Mexican Citizen (Permanent Residents are not eligible)
2. Job Offer: Have a job offer from a US employer or be servicing a contract with a US client
3. Consistent Duties: Perform duties consistent with a biologist under the OOH
4. Education: Hold a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree in Biology or a closely related field
5. Non-Immigrant Intent: Demonstrate non-immigrant intent, i.e., the intention to return to your foreign residence upon completing your temporary employment.

Conclusion

If you’re a biologist from Canada or Mexico, the TN visa offers a straightforward path to work in the U.S. Meeting the essential requirements—having the right degree, a job offer from a U.S. employer, and a plan to return home after your employment—can qualify you for this visa. This opportunity allows you to bring your expertise to a new setting, advance your career, and make a significant impact in the U.S. If you meet these qualifications, the TN visa can be your gateway to a rewarding professional experience in the United States.