Regional labor integration must effectively align the needs of labor supply and demand. However, considering North America as a whole, the needs and processes of companies and employers can be incompatible. Trade agreements like the USMCA, which include chapters to strengthen the regional labor market, highlight the TN visa as a legal avenue for the labor mobility of Mexican professionals.
Facilitators for overseas recruitment, such as Staffbridge, streamline the search for Mexican talent. Despite this, obstacles remain, such as differences in negotiation styles between countries, provincial criteria, and gaps in candidate preparation. This raises an initial question about how well Mexico is prepared to be a source of human capital for the region and the world by 2050.
One of the main challenges is English proficiency. Despite being an educational priority in Mexico for years, English proficiency has declined recently. According to the EF English Proficiency Index, in 2023, Mexico ranked 89th out of 113 countries and 19th out of 20 in Latin America. For candidates seeking work permits in the region, not being proficient in English is the main reason for being overlooked in recruitment processes and having their permits rejected by immigration authorities. Educational institutions at all levels in Mexico must prioritize improving students’ English proficiency to facilitate their future job searches.
The catalog of professions eligible for a TN visa is extensive, but the criteria for some of them are more complex and laborious. For instance, veterinary medicine requires passing an English exam with a very low pass rate, specific provincial criteria, and accreditation from only one Mexican university. For headhunters, classifying applicants’ talents is crucial, as the negotiation style in the United States and Canada is strict if the candidate does not meet all requirements. Employers do not cooperate in the bureaucratic process, increasing the difficulties for applicants, especially without intermediaries like Staffbridge.
Cultural diversity exists in the region, but by 2050, the agenda should focus on the opportunities and legal tools available to facilitate regional labor integration. The pandemic highlighted labor shortages in some U.S. occupations, such as healthcare, where around 85,000 positions remained unfilled post-pandemic. The pandemic’s impact on the U.S. labor market represents an opportunity for Mexican professionals wishing to work in healthcare. Obtaining a work permit in this sector is not a major obstacle for applicants, as the TN visa list includes occupations like registered nurse, veterinarian, and dentist. The three countries still need to adapt and modernize the criteria and expand the number of universities authorized to conduct necessary exams for veterinarians and nurses to obtain permits.
The perspective and experience of headhunters in modernizing the TN visa list and criteria can and should be leveraged. To align the needs of labor markets with cultural differences, the current situation in each country must be considered. Otherwise, negative stereotypes about labor migration will remain the main obstacle to deeper integration. Agile, legal, and secure talent exportation is the major bureaucratic challenge of the coming years. Human capital ready to offer their skills abroad must be compatible with the opportunities and work permits available. With nearshoring, new professions in strategic sectors will be more crucial than ever, especially during the 2026 review.
Text prepared by the author based on Samantha Díaz´s participation in the Forum “Immigration on the Road: Labor Mobility in North America.”
References:
- Education First. (2023). EF English Proficiency Index. Retrieved from: https://www.ef.com/assetscdn/WIBIwq6RdJvcD9bc8RMd/cefcom-epi-site/reports/2023/ef-epi-2023-english.pdf Samantha Díaz Cabrera (Panel 3). [México, ¿cómo vamos?] (2024).Immigration on the road: Movilidad laboral en Norteamérica [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDIf4WCsW_o&t=1254s
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