Read the general professional work overview
The document that most often decides a TN case is the credential, because each Appendix 2 profession states its own degree, licence or experience rule and the applicant either meets it or does not. Before an employer drafts a letter, identify which listing the duties fit, read that listing's rule, and locate the original record that satisfies it. Only then write the letter to describe the job under that listing. The next decision is whether the records prove the proposed duties, not merely whether the applicant has impressive experience. Keep the chosen listing, credential rule, and duty comparison together so the employer can correct a mismatch before the file reaches an officer.
Read the two listings the job could fit
Hypothetical example: an East Hants civil engineering technologist with a three-year college diploma is offered a U.S. position titled 'Site Engineer' on airport-apron paving projects. The Engineer listing requires a baccalaureate or a state or provincial licence, which he does not hold. The Scientific Technician or Technologist listing instead requires theoretical knowledge of the discipline and the ability to solve practical problems, working in direct support of professionals in that discipline. The second listing may describe his actual work — surveying, testing and inspection under a licensed engineer's direction — accurately. Ask the employer who he reports to and whether a licensed engineer signs the work. That answer chooses the listing, and the listing tells you which document to bring.
Assemble the credential before the letter
Locate the original diploma and a transcript that shows the discipline, because a diploma reading 'Applied Science' does not by itself show civil technology. If any coursework was completed abroad, decide with the adviser whether an evaluation is needed for the procedure chosen. For a Technologist claim, the evidence of theoretical knowledge is the program content, and the evidence of the supporting role is the employer's description of the reporting line. Draft the employer letter only after both are in hand, so that the letter's wording matches what the documents can prove. A letter that promises a licensed-engineer role the transcript cannot support is worse than no letter at all.
Resolve differences among the papers before the port of entry
Compare the offer letter, the job posting, and the immigration support letter for consistency in title, duties and pay. Recruiting language tends to inflate: 'engineer' where the work is technologist support, 'lead' where the work is individual. Ask the employer to align the documents to the listing chosen, and to state that the position is professional work in that listing, prearranged, for a stated period within the three-year maximum. Disclose any ownership the applicant holds in the employer or any client, since U.S. self-employment is not permitted on TN. Canadians present the file at the port of entry or the employer files Form I-129; no visa stamp is issued either way, so the file itself is the case. Hypothetical example: an East Hants geological core-logging technician is offered a U.S. role analysing samples under a professional geologist. The employer must decide whether the signed reporting line and coursework support the technologist listing or whether the role has been advertised beyond the evidence. The transcript, the geologist's supervision letter, and the actual task list resolve that choice before travel.
What else is on your mind?
Is a matching job title enough for TN?Can years of experience replace a degree for TN?Can my own U.S. company employ me under TN?Can my spouse work if I hold TN status?Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.