TN Visa - Economist
NAFTA Requirements for a TN as an Economist.
To qualify for TN status under NAFTA as an Economist, an applicant must possess one of the following:
1. A Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) degree; or
2. Licenciatura Degree.
See 8 C.F.R. § 214.6 (c).
Occupational Outlook Handbook Guidance.
A TN applicant’s prospective job duties for this category must be consistent with the job duties generally performed by Economists in the field. Inspecting officers will look to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (“OOH”), a manual published by the Department of Labor, for insight on the duties normally required of professionals in a particular profession.
According to the OOH, Economists conduct research, collect and analyze data, monitor economic trends, and develop forecasts. They also research issues such as energy costs, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, business cycles, taxes, or employment levels. Economists prepare reports, including tables and charts, on research results. Economists may devise methods and procedures for obtaining required data. For example, Economists may use sampling techniques to conduct a survey, and various mathematical modeling techniques to develop forecasts.
Many economists specialize in a particular area of economics. A brief summary of these specialized fields as outlined in the OOH is provided below.
Micro-economists study the supply and demand decisions of individuals and firms, such as how profits can be maximized and how much of a good or service consumers will demand at a certain price.
Industrial Economists or Organizational Economists study the market structure of particular industries in terms of the number of competitors within those industries and examine the market decisions of competitive firms and monopolies. These economists also may be concerned with antitrust policy and its impact on market structure.
Macroeconomists study historical trends in the whole economy and forecast future trends in areas such as unemployment, inflation, economic growth, productivity, and investment.
Monetary Economists or Financial Economists study the money and banking system and the effects of changing interest rates.
International Economists study international financial markets, exchange rates, and the effects of various trade policies such as tariffs.
Labor Economists or Demographic Economists study the supply and demand for labor and the determination of wages. These Economists also try to explain the reasons for unemployment and the effects of changing demographic trends, such as an aging population and increasing immigration, on labor markets.
Public Finance Economists are involved primarily in studying the role of the government in the economy and the effects of tax cuts, budget deficits, and welfare policies.
Econometricians investigate all areas of economics and use mathematical techniques such as calculus, game theory, and regression analysis to formulate economic models that help to explain economic relationships and that are used to develop forecasts related to the nature and length of business cycles, the effects of a specific rate of inflation on the economy, the effects of tax legislation on unemployment levels, and other economic phenomena.
Training and Qualifications.
The OOH provides that a master’s or Ph.D. degree in economics is required for many private-sector economist jobs and for advancement to more responsible positions. Economists with a bachelor’s degree usually qualify for most entry-level positions whether working in government, industry, research organizations, or consulting firms.
Selected coursework at the graduate level may include classes such as advanced economic theory, econometrics, international economics, and labor economics. Undergraduate economics coursework can range from microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics to philosophical courses, such as the history of economic thought. Because of the importance of quantitative skills to economists, courses in mathematics, statistics, econometrics, sampling theory and survey design, and computer science are extremely helpful.
Additional Materials:
References:
- OOH, Economists (2008-09).
Revised July 11, 2008.