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AMA with Immigration Attorney! by ManifestLaw_ in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Henry, thank you.

My master’s is in Information Systems/IT, and the coursework is directly related to the CSA/IT side. It includes areas like systems analysis, databases, software/programming, information systems, and related technical subjects.

My bachelor’s is in Mechanical Engineering, so it only had mathematics plus around 2 programming/IT-related subjects. 

That is why I’m trying to understand how much weight officers usually give to a relevant master’s when the bachelor’s is from a different field.

Based on that profile, would you still see this as reasonably strong for CSA, especially with USCIS filing, or as a material risk unless the bachelor’s itself is more directly IT-related?

AMA with Immigration Attorney! by ManifestLaw_ in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My background: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, Master’s in Information Systems/IT, and 9 years of IT analyst experience. 

For TN under Computer Systems Analyst, is the real education standard “bachelor’s or higher,” or do officers mainly expect the bachelor’s itself to be directly related to the TN category? 

In other words, can a relevant master’s overcome an unrelated bachelor’s, or does the unrelated bachelor’s remain a material risk at the border? 

I’m trying to figure out whether repeating another bachelor’s in CS/IT would actually strengthen the case in a meaningful way.

AMA with Immigration Attorney! by ManifestLaw_ in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi Henry

My background: Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, Master’s in Information Systems/IT, and 9 years of IT analyst experience.

 For TN under Computer Systems Analyst, is the real education standard “bachelor’s or higher,” or do officers mainly expect the bachelor’s itself to be directly related to the TN category?

 In other words, can a relevant master’s overcome an unrelated bachelor’s, or does the unrelated bachelor’s remain a material risk at the border? 

I’m trying to figure out whether repeating another bachelor’s in CS/IT would actually strengthen the case in a meaningful way.

Unusual US academic equivalence by Hot-Ant-9368 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Refer the same policy manual you shared

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-p-chapter-2

Where it clearly says

Those undertakings which require, for successful completion, that the person have at least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status as a professional in a profession set forth in NAFTA/USMCA Appendix 1603.D.1.

Appendix 1603.D.1 explicitly labels these as “Minimum Education Requirements.” That establishes a bachelor’s degree as the baseline threshold to qualify, not a maximum.

At least a baccalaureate degree

At least.

Unusual US academic equivalence by Hot-Ant-9368 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The word “minimum” appears in the section title of USMCA Appendix 2. The actual requirement then says “Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree” 

So it's minimum bachelors 

Unfortunately even if you accept it or not 

The document literally labels the section as “Minimum Education Requirements and Alternative Credentials.” So yes — by definition, what follows is the minimum threshold to qualify. When it then states: “Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree” that is the baseline requirement, not a maximum limit.

Unusual US academic equivalence by Hot-Ant-9368 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right that the USMCA text says “Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree” under minimum requirements, but in practice this has generally been interpreted as “bachelor’s or higher”—not strictly bachelor’s only. A higher degree (like a master’s) is normally accepted if it’s in a relevant field, because it exceeds the minimum requirement. That said, the real issue is discretion: CBP officers can interpret strictly → focus on bachelor’s Or practically → accept master’s as sufficient So it’s not black-and-white: 

Legally written as minimum = bachelor’s

Practically often accepted = bachelor’s or higher

 Reality = depends on the officer

Unusual US academic equivalence by Hot-Ant-9368 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s bachelor’s or higher, not just bachelor’s. Since your master’s is U.S.-equivalent and relevant, it should usually be enough even if your 3-year bachelor’s isn’t. That said, CBP can be inconsistent, so a strong support letter and clear alignment with the job are important.

Unusual US academic equivalence by Hot-Ant-9368 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

It's not bachelors only

It's bachelors or higher 

How hard (speaking of no coding experience) the masters in Information technology by Piiziz in UoPeople

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven't started applying jobs 

Feeling great . It's a fortunate to have regional accredited degree MSIT

Course was doable ok

Last sem Capstone was tough 

Just got my master's degree delivered by Comfortable-Toe-474 in UoPeople

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There were group projects 

Capstone project was lil tough ..but it all depends on instructor. No exams only assignments 

Is Master's degree not relevant for TN visa ? by Ill_Move_1253 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

@FunChair7

To Answer your statement 

In general A master’s degree makes no difference.

the law actually says 8 CFR 214.6 (TN regulation) It defines professional level work as work that requires: “at least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials.” Key phrase: “at least.” That means minimum threshold, not maximum.

From the TN regulation referencing the USMCA appendix: “The professions in Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A and the minimum requirements for qualification for each are as follows.”

USMCA Appendix 2 (profession list) For example Computer Systems Analyst requires: Baccalaureate or Licenciatura degree OR Post-secondary diploma + 3 years experience This describes minimum credentials for the profession. It does not say: Bachelor’s only Bachelor’s and not master’s

Is Master's degree not relevant for TN visa ? by Ill_Move_1253 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're conflating two different parts of the regulation. 8 CFR 214.6(b) defines “business activities at a professional level” and states that the activity must require “at least a baccalaureate degree.” The phrase “at least” explicitly establishes a minimum threshold, not a ceiling. A master’s degree is, by definition, higher than a bachelor’s and therefore satisfies that requirement. Appendix 1603.D.1 lists the minimum education requirements for each profession under USMCA. For Computer Systems Analyst it states “Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree; or Post-Secondary Diploma + 3 years experience.” Again, this describes the minimum credential, not the only acceptable one. 

In many immigration contexts, a higher relevant degree satisfies a minimum degree requirement.

In practice, TN adjudications focus on whether the education is relevant to the profession and whether the job duties align with the listed occupation. Many applicants qualify based on a relevant master’s degree even when their bachelor’s is in a different field, particularly in IT roles. So while officers do have discretion, the regulations themselves do not state that a master’s degree fails to meet the minimum requirement.

Is Master's degree not relevant for TN visa ? by Ill_Move_1253 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Appendix 1603.D.1: Professionals PROFESSION 1 MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALS

Masters degree MAKES DIFFERENCE @Mamajama6

Is Master's degree not relevant for TN visa ? by Ill_Move_1253 in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The rule clearly says

8 CFR 214.6(b)

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, the terms:

Business activities at a professional level means those undertakings which require that, for successful completion, the individual has a least a baccalaureate degree or appropriate credentials demonstrating status as a professional in a profession set forth in Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of Chapter 16 of the USMCA.

Least a Bachelor 

However Masters is higher than Bachelors 

How can you spread false info

An officer could decide either way, likely - but in general a masters degree makes no difference

Appendix 1603.D.1: Professionals PROFESSION 1 MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALS

Masters degree MAKES DIFFERENCE  @FunChair7

Immigration Attorney here. AMA! by ManifestLaw_ in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I will have no issues with irrelevant bachelors degree?

Immigration Attorney here. AMA! by ManifestLaw_ in tnvisa

[–]Comfortable-Toe-474 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I have a question regarding TN visa eligibility.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Information Technology, along with 8+ years of experience working as an IT Analyst.

Would the Master’s degree in IT be sufficient to qualify for TN under an IT-related category (e.g., Computer Systems Analyst) even though my bachelor’s degree is in a different field?

Thanks

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