The category in brief
Your TN visa 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.
Describe land surveying — boundary, topographic and construction surveys.
Build your Land Surveyor TN visa packet
Answer plain-English questions, then preview your letter free before you decide.
What the TN list requires
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial/federal 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.
- Describe land surveying — boundary, topographic and construction surveys.
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, not facts about your job. Use only responsibilities your employer confirms; write them in the employer’s own terms.
- Conduct boundary, topographic and construction surveys
- Operate total stations, GPS and other precision survey instruments
- Research land records and legal descriptions for survey control
- Prepare survey maps, plats and legal descriptions
- Verify measurements and calculations for accuracy
- Advise clients on land-use and boundary questions within scope
- Maintain survey records in compliance with jurisdictional standards
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 survey field crew, rod person, drafting only, CAD drafting 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
- Degree route: your degree certificate and transcripts
- Licence route: proof of your current land surveyor licence (for example, a registration certificate or a letter of good standing from the licensing body)
See the full document checklist. Only include licence or bar details you affirm holding and can document.
Organize your Land Surveyor TN visa packet
Answer with your own facts, then inspect the free preview before deciding.
Check state practice requirements
The TN list credential and state authorization to practise land surveying answer different questions. Check the state rules for the actual work with your employer and the relevant state licensing board. A provincial licence is not a statement that you hold a U.S. state licence.
Common questions
What are the credential routes?
A Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or a state, provincial or federal licence. The routes are alternatives — the "or" matters.
Does a Canadian provincial licence count?
The list names "state/provincial/federal license" as an alternative route. Use the exact licence shown on your documents. TN status is separate from state authorization to practise — see below.
Do I need a U.S. state licence to get TN status?
The TN list credential and state authorization to practise surveying answer different questions. Check the state rules for the actual work with your employer and the relevant state licensing board before travel.
As a Canadian, do I need a TN visa before I go to the border?
Generally, 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. One exception: if you live outside Canada and will enter with a spouse or children who are not Canadian citizens, the State Department says you need a TN visa so they can apply for TD visas.
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.
What if my job title is "Survey Technician"?
Keep the title from your offer and describe the actual responsibilities honestly. If the duties are technician-level support rather than professional surveying, the category may not fit — seek independent advice rather than rewording duties.
My surveying degree was earned outside Canada. What should I enter?
Enter its exact name, institution and country. Do not change the title to match an example. TNPath does not verify degree equivalence or determine whether additional credential evidence is needed.
Sources
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part P: USMCA Professionals (TN)
- 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: Surveyors
Last reviewed October 2, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources before you travel.