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.
Nutritionist and Dietitian are separate TN list entries with different credential wording; this guide covers the Nutritionist entry only.
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What the TN list requires
Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
TN profession list, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of USMCA Chapter 16 (8 CFR 214.6(c))
Follow the quoted entry as written. Do not add a licence or experience alternative that is absent from this entry.
The USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 2, Part P, Chapter 3) states that experience cannot be substituted for that degree.
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.
- Nutritionist and Dietitian are separate TN list entries with different credential wording; this guide covers the Nutritionist entry only.
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 for describing professional nutrition work, not facts about your job. Use only responsibilities your employer confirms; write them in the employer's own terms.
- Develop and deliver community nutrition education programs on healthy eating and disease prevention
- Conduct nutrition assessments and screenings for community and workplace wellness programs
- Plan nutrition programs for schools, public health agencies and community organizations
- Counsel individuals and groups on nutrition, eating habits and lifestyle choices
- Advise institutional kitchens and catering operations on menu planning and nutrient standards
- Evaluate the nutritional content of menus and food products and recommend improvements
- Research the relationship between diet, nutrients and health outcomes and report the findings
- Monitor and evaluate community nutrition programs and recommend changes
- Prepare educational materials and presentations on nutrition and health for public audiences
- Coordinate nutrition initiatives with public health staff, schools and community partners
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 Dietary Aide, Fitness Coach, Personal Trainer, Food Service Worker 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
- Degree evidence; the licence alternative in the Dietitian entry does not apply to this entry
You can also turn this list into a personal checklist with the free TN document checklist generator.
See the full document checklist. Only include licence or bar details you affirm holding and can document.
Organize your Nutritionist TN visa packet
Answer with your own facts, then inspect the free preview before deciding.
Nutritionist is not Dietitian
Nutritionist and Dietitian are separate entries on the TN list. The two entries read differently:
Nutritionist — Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.
Dietitian — 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 Dietitian entry names a licence alternative; the Nutritionist entry does not. Do not borrow the Dietitian licence route for a Nutritionist packet.
Which entry a job’s duties match is decided by the actual duties and the list wording. That is general information only — TNPath does not make that determination for any reader’s job. If it is unclear, consider an independent review by a U.S. immigration lawyer.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes one combined “Dietitians and Nutritionists” occupation page — BLS does not separate them. The TN list does.
Common questions
Is Nutritionist the same TN category as Dietitian?
No. They are separate entries on the TN list. The Nutritionist entry reads: “Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree.” The Dietitian entry reads: “Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or state/provincial license.” The Dietitian entry names a licence alternative; the Nutritionist entry does not.
Does the TN Nutritionist entry accept experience instead of a degree?
No. The entry names a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree only, and USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 3 states that experience cannot be substituted for that degree. If your credential route is unclear, consider an independent review by a U.S. immigration lawyer.
BLS combines dietitians and nutritionists. Does that combine the TN entries?
No. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes one combined “Dietitians and Nutritionists” occupation page, but the TN list keeps two separate entries with different credential wording. Which entry applies is decided by the job's actual duties and the list wording.
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.
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.6: TN profession list (eCFR)
- USCIS: TN USMCA Professionals
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part P, Chapter 3: TN credential rules
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dietitians and Nutritionists (one combined BLS occupation page)
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources before you travel.