Table of Contents
- Overview of the TN Visa for Health Workers
- What’s New for Medical Lab Technologists
- Who This Update Affects
- Health Care Worker Certification Requirement
- Roles That Don’t Qualify for TN Under This Rule
- What You Should Do Next
1. Overview of the TN Visa for Health Workers
The TN visa allows qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to work in the U.S. under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA). One of the recognized professions is Medical Laboratory Technologist (for Canadians) and Medical Technologist (for Mexicans and Americans).
This visa is meant for professionals doing scientific testing in lab environments, not for those directly involved in patient care.
2. What’s New for Medical Lab Technologists
USCIS has updated its interpretation for this job category. The key changes are:
- You must be entering the U.S. to perform lab tests for diagnosing or treating a disease.
- You must have a valid healthcare worker certification.
This confirms that only those doing scientific lab testing (like blood work or chemical analysis) qualify for TN status in this category.
3. Who This Update Affects
The update mainly affects:
- Canadian Medical Laboratory Technologists
- Mexican and U.S. Medical Technologists
- Other technicians who may support physicians or perform patient-related imaging or therapy
4. Health Care Worker Certification Requirement
If you’re applying for a TN visa under this role, you must bring a valid health care worker certificate, which shows your education and training meet U.S. standards.
This applies even if you’re from Canada and already licensed there.
5. Roles That Don’t Qualify for TN Under This Rule
USCIS says that jobs supporting doctors in direct patient care don’t qualify under this category. This includes:
- Radiologic Technologists
- Sonographers
- Cardiovascular Technicians
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Polysomnographic Technologists
- Medical Dosimetrists
Even if these professionals work closely with doctors or have science training, they don’t meet the TN rules unless they work in lab testing, not patient support.
6. What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning to apply for a TN visa as a lab tech:
- Make sure your job matches the USCIS description (scientific lab work only)
- Get a healthcare worker certificate before applying
- Talk to your U.S. employer to ensure your job offer matches the TN requirements
Need help understanding if you qualify?
Reach out to a certified immigration attorney to review your case before applying.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
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We Can Help!
If you have questions regarding a U.S. immigration matter, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
