I'm pleased to say that I received my TN status! I had prepared for the worst and things went rather well in the end.
Reflections:
- I would recommend phoning the POE before crossing to see how far in advance you can go. I wanted to go 2 weeks in advance (in order to give my current employer notice, etc.).
- Interesting - I phoned 3 times to the POE and twice they said 2 weeks should be fine. The third time I was told 30 days from the date of the letter of hire (note - not of the start date). I gambled and went 10 days in advance and there were no questions asked.
- I immediately returned to Canada (no buffalo wings
) and will go to the US just before my start date.
Questions:
- If anyone could share their experiences crossing the border while in TN status that would be appreciated. What kind of questions do they ask? Any grief, etc.?
- SSN - if anyone knows anything about applying for a SSN in Buffalo, I would welcome any guidance (i.e., where, timing, what info needed, etc.).
- Licensing/Insurance - what are the forms that I should get while in Canada to prepare for this? I read on the forum that I should get my record, etc. from my current insurer. Do I need anything else (e.g., something from Min of Transportation)?
- Any problems getting car/house insurance in the US? I initially thought of just keeping my Cdn insurer but the rate will be increased if I do.
A thought:
Perhaps this already exists somewhere (without cost), but if not we should compile a checklist of sorts for TN-ers - things to do/think about before getting status; things to do/think about upon receipt of TN status; and things to do/think about while in US on TN status. I don't have much experience yet with TN, but it's something I'd be willing to work on with others down the road.
Thanks for any guidance you can provide! This forum is a wonderful thing!
Reflections:
- I would recommend phoning the POE before crossing to see how far in advance you can go. I wanted to go 2 weeks in advance (in order to give my current employer notice, etc.).
- Interesting - I phoned 3 times to the POE and twice they said 2 weeks should be fine. The third time I was told 30 days from the date of the letter of hire (note - not of the start date). I gambled and went 10 days in advance and there were no questions asked.
- I immediately returned to Canada (no buffalo wings
) and will go to the US just before my start date.Questions:
- If anyone could share their experiences crossing the border while in TN status that would be appreciated. What kind of questions do they ask? Any grief, etc.?
- SSN - if anyone knows anything about applying for a SSN in Buffalo, I would welcome any guidance (i.e., where, timing, what info needed, etc.).
- Licensing/Insurance - what are the forms that I should get while in Canada to prepare for this? I read on the forum that I should get my record, etc. from my current insurer. Do I need anything else (e.g., something from Min of Transportation)?
- Any problems getting car/house insurance in the US? I initially thought of just keeping my Cdn insurer but the rate will be increased if I do.
A thought:
Perhaps this already exists somewhere (without cost), but if not we should compile a checklist of sorts for TN-ers - things to do/think about before getting status; things to do/think about upon receipt of TN status; and things to do/think about while in US on TN status. I don't have much experience yet with TN, but it's something I'd be willing to work on with others down the road.
Thanks for any guidance you can provide! This forum is a wonderful thing!