Early TN Visa extension

@Amberleaf @nelsona @1AurCitizen
My experience..

Around 8:40 AM today we reached the Odensburg border. Since we didn't have a car, we took the Uber from Ottawa. The Uber driver unfortunately didn't have his passport and had absolutely no idea about border experience just like us. Once I reached the lanes the driver hesitated to move forward, so wise enof we started walking towards the lane , a patrol officer freaked out and shouted to get back in the car.

I badly wanted to return back because it looked like a stand off, the driver took up his courage and moved our car towards that lane. Once in the lane the officer who shouted told me exactly this "So you think you are smart enof to walk down the border huh!! Why did you get off? I said I wanted a TN visa. He freaked out even more and said, this is not a Service Center , if you get a visa you should go into the country and start work, you can't come in a Uber to apply for TN" He asked us including the driver to step in to the room.

Inside the room, a young and very fine officer approached me started my TN processing. I applied for Engineer Category , so he asked me if I will be managing teams like hiring/firing etc., and I said "No" . Then he asked my daily duties and then said he approved my TN visa. He was really very very very kind and kept me cool throughout the questioning process. He took my TN letter & Engineering Education Credential Evaluation and returned back everything. He entered all data to his system but it won't let him proceed because it kept showing up my B2 visa from Indian passport, I became a Canadian citizen recently. Unfortunately he had to hand it over to the officer at lane (the rough one, who harassed us) to enter in system, the officer starts again and uttered these exactly as is..

"Why are you approving her TN? If I were you I would have rejected it. this is not a F**ing service center and they just come here and take our jobs away". My heart is racing and trying to control my reactions.

The young officer just smiled and replied softly "Yeah , but this is the Law".. Love the way he supported me.

Atlast the system glitch is resolved and he grants my TN visa. The young officer returned my passports and said very kindly and smiling "Most probably I am the only one who would approve this VISA and let you return back to Canada, but make sure next time you apply at your exact Job location when you want to enter the country, Don't worry, all the best !!" Can't thank that fine gentleman & my driver enof. They held my driver all along with us so that he can take us back. My UBER driver took this all with a smile.

We took the car and drove off to Canada.

Note : You cannot walk/cycle to the Odensburg border, you have to come with your Car no matter what. There are no pedestrians allowed, Canadian side officials explained this to me when I returned back
 
Last edited:
Congrats @tnvisaneeder

I remember when I got my first TN, I got it at the Rainbow bride border (Niagara Falls). I walked into the US Side and got the TN and officer escorted me back to Canadian side and left. I started the work a month later.

May be some border points, you are not allowed to walk...

Anyways, happy ending.. you got TN ..
tnvisaneeder said:
@Amberleaf @nelsona @1AurCitizen
My experience..

Around 8:40 AM today we reached the Odensburg border. Since we didn't have a car, we took the Uber from Ottawa. The Uber driver unfortunately didn't have his passport and had absolutely no idea about border experience just like us. Once I reached the lanes the driver hesitated to move forward, so wise enof we started walking towards the lane , a patrol officer freaked out and shouted to get back in the car.

I badly wanted to return back because it looked like a stand off, the driver took up his courage and moved our car towards that lane. Once in the lane the officer who shouted told me exactly this "So you think you are smart enof to walk down the border huh!! Why did you get off? I said I wanted a TN visa. He freaked out even more and said, this is not a Service Center , if you get a visa you should go into the country and start work, you can't come in a Uber to apply for TN" He asked us including the driver to step in to the room.

Inside the room, a young and very fine officer approached me started my TN processing. I applied for Engineer Category , so he asked me if I will be managing teams like hiring/firing etc., and I said "No" . Then he asked my daily duties and then said he approved my TN visa. He was really very very very kind and kept me cool throughout the questioning process. He took my TN letter & Engineering Education Credential Evaluation and returned back everything. He entered all data to his system but it won't let him proceed because it kept showing up my B2 visa from Indian passport, I became a Canadian citizen recently. Unfortunately he had to hand it over to the officer at lane (the rough one, who harassed us) to enter in system, the officer starts again and uttered these exactly as is..

"Why are you approving her TN? If I were you I would have rejected it. this is not a F**ing service center and they just come here and take our jobs away". My heart is racing and trying to control my reactions. He mentally harassed us.

The young officer just smiled and replied softly "Yeah , but this is the Law".. Love the way he supported me.

Atlast the system glitch is resolved and he grants my TN visa. The young officer returned my passports and said very kindly and smiling "Most probably I am the only one who would approve this VISA and let you return back to Canada, but make sure next time you apply at your exact Job location when you want to enter the country, Don't worry, all the best !!" Can't thank that fine gentleman & my driver enof. They held my driver all along with us so that he can take us back. My UBER driver took this all with a smile.

We took the car and drove off to Canada.

Note : You cannot walk/cycle to the Odensburg border, you have to come with your Car no matter what. There are no pedestrians allowed, Canadian side officials explained this to me when I returned back
Click to expand...
 
Anyone getting out of a car at a land border crossing is risking a standoff. CBP isn't going to entertain pedestrians in a lane marked Cars/Autos. He wasn't harassing you, he was doing his job. The Officer obviously didn't appreciate how things were going; they have rather stressful jobs. They don't play games. I was at a border crossing earlier this month. Smooth sailing for me on a US passport, but these guys mean business if you go by their queries. Imagine his thought process looking at your previous Indian passport, recently attaining Canadian citizenship only to turn back to attempt to live and work in the US.

CBP probably sees a fair number of (previous) Indian nationals on H1Bs on a GC waitlist with 140s approved who seek Canadian PR but go the TN/TD route on a Canadian passport. The other officer had a valid point with his suggestion to seek entry at the border post nearest to the job location.
 
@tnvisaneeder thanks for posting your experience. I wish it was a better experience, but in the end you obtained your TN status. Success. Glad we could be of help.
If you ever encounter a CBP officer that you believe is acting out of line, politely ask to speak to a supervisor.
In this situation, I guess you are not allowed to walk across the border, so he was enforcing the rules. Certainly sounded out of line.
 
1AurCitizen said:
Anyone getting out of a car at a land border crossing is risking a standoff. CBP isn't going to entertain pedestrians in a lane marked Cars/Autos. He wasn't harassing you, he was doing his job. The Officer obviously didn't appreciate how things were going; they have rather stressful jobs. They don't play games. I was at a border crossing earlier this month. Smooth sailing for me on a US passport, but these guys mean business if you go by their queries. Imagine his thought process looking at your previous Indian passport, recently attaining Canadian citizenship only to turn back to attempt to live and work in the US.

CBP probably sees a fair number of (previous) Indian nationals on H1Bs on a GC waitlist with 140s approved who seek Canadian PR but go the TN/TD route on a Canadian passport. The other officer had a valid point with his suggestion to seek entry at the border post nearest to the job location.
Click to expand...

No I didn't mean he was harrasing me when he instructed to stay in car. I completely agree thats his job. Its when he started saying "I am taking jobs away" and no he didn't know anything about my Indian passport when he told me that. Anyway thanks for the comments, someone has to be in that position when this is happening to understand what I said. I just posted my experience nothing against anyone.
 
tnvisaneeder said:
No I didn't mean he was harrasing me when he instructed to stay in car. I completely agree thats his job. Its when he started saying "I am taking jobs away" and no he didn't know anything about my Indian passport when he told me that. Anyway thanks for the comments, someone has to be in that position when this is happening to understand what I said. I just posted my experience nothing against anyone.
Click to expand...

why is your indian passport related to this?
and why you didnt go to the rainbow POE where you can walk back to canada?
 
tnvisaneeder said:
Confused. Can anyone clarify please? In my case I will immediately return back (may be after 1-2 hrs) after getting my paper I94, so when I return back if I surrender my I94, whats the proof that my TN visa processing is complete when I travel next?
Click to expand...
Sorry for the late reply.

The paper I-94 is surrendered only on the final departure from the USA before it expires. If your intent is to leave & return to the USA before it expires, then leave it in your passport.

Your proof that you have a valid I-94 is actually stored in the CBP database; you can visit their website and view/print your I-94 information any time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top