Request for suggestion: TN visa at Vermont Border

C

Cadmium

New Member
Hello,

This is my first time going for TN. I debating between going to a land border, easier to go to VT border from where I live or to fly to one of the airports in Canada. Appreciate any suggestions and if you share your experiences either at a land border or airport. I planning to travel sometime next week with a negative PCR test results.

Thank you very much.
 
Flying to a Cdn airport will NOT get you a TN. You must be flying TO US to get a TN.
So, if you are going to work in US, you need to go to the border to get TN, or you need to fly down to your job in US and get TN.

Either way, you should be planning to go to US when you cross, not simply coming back to Canada.
 
@nelsona, sorry for the confusion, I currently live in US and planning to travel to Canada to get TN while returning to US. I am debating what will be the best option an PoE or land border in VT.
Thank you for any suggestions.
 
Oh. I would think the border would be simpler, as you would not need a test if you are merely turning around. Flights will insist you have a test before boarding, not caring that you are turning around.
 
Nelsona thank yo very much. As this is my first time for TN I am a bit anxious on what to expect at the border. I called both CBP and CBSA to enquire about COVID restrictions, they were fairly polite and said no issues for flag poling.

I appreciate if somebody share what to expect at Derby line PoE. I looked through google, it looks like there are two PoE offices (I guess to and from Canada?) and CBSA center. Do I need to go through CBP before entering Canadian side and hopefully I will spot a U turn to return to the CBP (the second one?). I am assuming I need to park and get into CBP office for the processing?

Appreciate someone confirm my understanding is correct or I am missing anything?

Thank you very much.
 
Same question here. Is Vermont land border opened for TN renewal while doing flag polling? Can someone please provide suggestion?
 
Yes, they are open. Hours might be restricted at smaller POEs, but main ones like Derby Line, Phillipsburg are open.
 
I'm planning my trip to Derby Line for near the end of the month.

I'll definitely keep you posted if I end up going before you do, and I hope you will likewise :) Not much info on VT POEs
 
Today I went to Derby Line PoE for first time TN under CSA category. Every thing went well except it took officers more than an hour to decide after lots of deliberations among themselves and my interview by 2 officers. All are polite and cooperative. Until recently I had work permit through my spouse's visa but it ended recently and I have been working in the similar type of job all these years (I doubt it matters). This TN with a new employer.

The officers were polite and careful. They went through the offer letter and TN letter thoroughly and collected copies (I took them) of the academic certificates (liberal arts and not computer professional) with transcripts. I carried other documents and original certificates but were not checked.

The biggest sticking point for the officers was having a job title with a 'programmer' suffix. However, in TN letter, Job duties did not indicate any programming tasks. I think they strictly followed the OOH (based on the questions they asked), tried to understand if job responsibilities matched the job category requested. I think I managed to explain them in one of those 2 interviews. Most of the questions were related to job duties, a typical day at work and responsibilities etc.

I felt, overall it went well except for the wait due to the discrepancy in the job titles.
 
Cadmium said:
Today I went to Derby Line PoE for first time TN under CSA category. Every thing went well except it took officers more than an hour to decide after lots of deliberations among themselves and my interview by 2 officers. All are polite and cooperative. Until recently I had work permit through my spouse's visa but it ended recently and I have been working in the similar type of job all these years (I doubt it matters). This TN with a new employer.

The officers were polite and careful. They went through the offer letter and TN letter thoroughly and collected copies (I took them) of the academic certificates (liberal arts and not computer professional) with transcripts. I carried other documents and original certificates but were not checked.

The biggest sticking point for the officers was having a job title with a 'programmer' suffix. However, in TN letter, Job duties did not indicate any programming tasks. I think they strictly followed the OOH (based on the questions they asked), tried to understand if job responsibilities matched the job category requested. I think I managed to explain them in one of those 2 interviews. Most of the questions were related to job duties, a typical day at work and responsibilities etc.

I felt, overall it went well except for the wait due to the discrepancy in the job titles.
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Would you kindly share details regarding the flagpole experience at Derby Line? There are two POEs there, is one for exit and other for entry? You mentioned they said COVID test is not necessary, did you follow their words or get tested?

Congratulations on your TN! And thank you for sharing your experiences!
 
@jmsd flagpole was pretty straight forward. We had the same confusion reg. the two PoEs (entry and exit but it is not). The one on the I-91 is the PoE and you can't go wrong as it is a one way road. When I reached the PoE, I told them about TN and drove towards CBSA and there they asked me for the reason and asked me to take a U turn to the CBP. The other PoE you see on main street is apparently their old office and the new one is on I-91 and you will be using only this one.

COIVD test is not necessary and I just followed their suggestion, no COVID test.
 
Yeah, the two offices was a transitional thing after the new one was built. They had only been processing NEXUS applications at the old one in town until it was closed to the public. Now everything is processed at the actual border crossing.
 
Any idea what questions will be asked on Canadian border to the Canadian coming from US who will be doing flag polling for new (or renewal) TN? Will they see any documents, like Canadian Passport, education, letter etc. Should I just tell them that I am doing flag polling and going back for my TN renewal?
 
chandu20 said:
Any idea what questions will be asked on Canadian border to the Canadian coming from US who will be doing flag polling for new (or renewal) TN? Will they see any documents, like Canadian Passport, education, letter etc. Should I just tell them that I am doing flag polling and going back for my TN renewal?
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Yes, just tell them that you would like to re-enter the US to apply for a TN visa. They will ask to see your passport and unmask briefly to verify your identity - then off you go to loop around :)
 
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