The TN visa occupational category for Recreational Therapists was not listed in the initial version of the United States-Canada Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1989 (the predecessor to NAFTA). See 54 Federal Register 12 (Jan. 3, 1989). The Recreational Therapist occupation was later added to the FTA in 1991. 56 FR 480 (Jan. 7, 1991). It was then carried over and included in the NAFTA list of available occupations in 1994. See 58 FR 69205 (Dec. 30, 1993).

To qualify for TN visa status under the occupational category for Recreational Therapists, an individual must possess one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Licenciatura Degree.

The regulations governing TN visa status generally do not provide any guidance on the type of degrees or majors suitable for a particular TN occupational category. To determine the types of degrees suitable for Recreational Therapists for purposes of a TN visa, we may refer to U.S. Department of Labor publications such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). See Royal Siam Corp. v. Chertoff, 484 F.3d 139, 145 (1st Cir. 2007). Read more about the TN visa degree requirements.

The TN visa regulations do not specifically define the types of Recreational Therapist positions or job duties that are permissible under this TN category. Like the degree requirement, individuals should refer to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) for guidance on the generally accepted job duties for this occupation.

Read more about TN visa job duties.

TN Visa Articles - Recreational Therapist (none to date)

• 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (c)
• Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)- Recreational Therapist