The category in brief
Your packet should document the professional work offered by the U.S. employer, the credential route in this list entry, and the requested temporary stay. Bring facts that agree across the signed letter and your supporting documents.
Dietitian and Nutritionist are distinct TN list entries; their credential alternatives are not interchangeable.
What the TN list requires
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.
TN profession list, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of USMCA Chapter 16 (8 CFR 214.6(c))
The “or” matters: the quoted routes are alternatives, not a demand to hold every credential. Copy the credential exactly from the documents you actually hold; do not add an alternative the entry does not name.
What to explain at the counter
- Describe professional-level work using the employer’s real responsibilities.
- State the temporary period requested, up to three years, with actual start and end dates.
- Keep the letter, résumé, offer details and interview answers consistent.
- Dietitian and Nutritionist are distinct TN list entries; their credential alternatives are not interchangeable.
TNPath doesn't assess whether your evidence is sufficient; that's the officer's call
If the role or credential route is unclear, consider speaking with a U.S. immigration lawyer.
Describe the actual duties
These occupational examples are prompts drawn from the BLS description, not facts about your job. Use only responsibilities your employer confirms; write them in the employer’s own terms.
- Assess patients’ nutritional needs
- Develop individualized nutrition plans
- Counsel patients on dietary changes
- Evaluate responses to nutrition interventions
- Adjust nutrition plans based on progress
- Prepare nutrition education materials
- Document patient nutrition progress
- Review research relevant to nutrition care
Never add, inflate or reword duties to fit a category. Every line in the letter should be something your employer will confirm and you can describe in your own words at the counter.
Job titles that draw questions
Titles such as Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, Food Service Worker, Sales Representative can describe support work or another occupation. Keep the real title and describe the responsibilities honestly. TNPath’s wording flags are prompts for review, not USCIS category rulings.
Your employer must verify, approve and sign the final letter
Documents to bring
- Canadian passport
- Signed employer letter on company letterhead, original and copy
- Résumé matching the letter
- Offer letter, if any
- Means of paying the applicable CBP fee
- Evidence of the credential route quoted above, using the exact names on your records
See the full document checklist. Only include licence or bar details you affirm holding and can document.
Organize your Dietitian packet
Answer with your own facts, then inspect the free preview before deciding.
Dietitian is not Nutritionist
Dietitian and Nutritionist are not the same TN category. Nutritionist currently uses the generic builder flow. Its list entry is degree-only; do not borrow Dietitian’s licence alternative.
Common questions
Is Nutritionist the same TN category?
No. Dietitian and Nutritionist are separate entries. Dietitian has a degree-or-licence alternative; Nutritionist names a degree only. Keep the title and rule from the chosen entry together.
Can I present a provincial dietitian licence?
The Dietitian entry names a state/provincial license as an alternative to a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree. Present only the credential you actually hold.
Does the TN credential settle state practice rules?
No. Check the licensing and practice rules in the state where you will work with your employer and the relevant state authority.
As a Canadian, do I need a TN visa before I go to the border?
No. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt and apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry or airport preclearance, with their documents in hand. The officer decides at the counter. People still search for "TN visa", but for Canadians it's a status granted at entry, not a visa stamp.
Will TNPath tell me whether I qualify?
No. TNPath is a document-assembly tool. It organizes the facts you provide into templates and gives general information. It doesn't make eligibility determinations or recommend case-specific strategy. Only U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides whether to admit you.
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.6(c): TN profession list (eCFR)
- USMCA Chapter 16, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A (USTR)
- CBP: Traveling on a TN or L-1 from Canada
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: occupational duties and practice context
Last reviewed October 2, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources before you travel.