TN Border Crossing Question

T

tim_p

New Member
Hi guys,

I am currently finishing up my OPT here in the US and have been offered a job under TN status. Since I have not applied for a TN before, I'll be driving up to the border in a few weeks to change from F-1 to a TN.

I don't plan to stay in Canada very long...maybe for a few hours to visit some friends, and then turn back and get my TN. My question is...do I give up my I-94 card, tell the Canadian guard I'm visiting for a few hours, and then drive back and ask for TN status? Or do I hang on to my I-94 and give it to the US official who will be looking over my TN documents?

Thanks in advance!
 
comment

Tim, I cannot comment on your current status as I have no experience, However, in regard to the TN, you can get it immediately at a point of entry if and only if you are prepared.
You will need a letter of offer from the employer in writing, it must contain certain criteria (look into this), and you will need your up to date resume and copies of your education diploma's/certificates and maybe even the originals. Also, I believe $55 cash (look into this in case it has changed), even more if you have dependents (they will need to be with you).

As for your current status, I have no idea what bearing that has on switching to a TN, hopefully someone else on the forum can expand on that point.

Good luck.
 
Thank you Neil! Yes, the company has hired a lawyer who has conferred with HR and written up a letter. I guess from that aspect, things are taken care of. Unfortunately, no one has informed me of exactly what to expect at the border other than "oh, just tell the officer on the US side that you're requesting TN status". I'm hoping it'll just be that simple!
 
comment

Tim, yes TN is quick and simple to get although EVERYTHING has to be in order. Make sure the companies HR gets the letter right or you will be declined. They must research to find what the offer letter must entail.

From memory, let's see...letter must state duration of time of one year (start date and finish date), no ongoing internal company strikes, the wage, the work category, and more. Very important. Don't rely on their HR, double check this letter before you go to point of entry in case things need to be reworded...many people get TN declined on first try because the letter of offer is not just right.

I am speaking from experience. Also, I don't know the ramifications of switching from another status, let's hope more people on this forum advise you on this matter.

Good luck.
 
comment

Tim, look down the list a few posts and read " TN first time and concerns ", it embellishes a bit about what we are talking about.
 
Suggestion:

Don’t surrender your F1. You should apply for your TN before your F1 expires. If for any reason your TN is declined you can always pull your F1 and ask to be admitted.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I do have one question though...is it necessary for me to cross over into Canada and then back to apply for a TN? Since I'm already in the US, can I simply just go to the POE without actually crossing the border?
 
For six out of seven TN's I never have, and US Customs never questioned this. I understand however, that TECHNICALLY one is supposed to exit and re-enter as I-94 is issued upon ENTRY.
Others may have a different opinion...
 
you have to exit U.S. and enter again even for a few hrs. If they ask for your I-94 tell them that you will get the TN visa.

You must have an original job offer indicating your position, duties and responsibilities, salary, duration, and signed by the professional engineer or who ever will be your supervisor.

You will get the new I-94 with TN stamped good for 1 year and your dependent with TD.

Make sure the job offer is good enough to satisfy the border immigration officer and it is included on TN job position list or else like me I was denied 3 X in the west coast border that's why I asked the help of a lawyer to renew it.

victorce79

EB3 philippines
PD 08/26/2002
AP 1-140 08/28/05
ND I-485 07/18/05
EAD 1 AP 08/03/05
EAD 2 AP 08/31/06
FP 09/02/05
 
Last edited by a moderator:
To get a TN you have to apply coming from Canada.
I tried once, going to the border office in Buffalo, direct from Buffalo airport.
I had to cross the bridge, do a U-turn, and drive back into the US.
I was in Canada for about 30 seconds.
It is a fomality of the law.......entering from Canada.
 
Can I add a question here...

I want to go to a Port of Entry I am familiar with to get my TN in advance of my first trip to the U.S. I was told by one INS officer that I need to be departing Canada at the time of my TN application and the I could not get it in advance. So what does one do in this situation, just apply for the TN, have lunch in the U.S and then head back to Canada?
 
I did this also my first TN.
A special trip to the border, just to make sure in advance that everything was OK.
Go to any border (or even some airports), with your papers, leave Canada, and apply for TN. Enter the US, and return immediately to Canada if you want, you can skip the lunch.
At Toronto airport once, 2001 I think, I went, and I was not flying.
I asked security to "enter" the US to apply for TN, they escorted me to the the US border office, I got my TN, and then I "returned" to Canada . Technically I left Canada, entered the secure US area, so I was in the US, and then returned to Canada. All within the airport. Not sure if they still do this.
 
Never lie.
Why not get your social secirity number immediatley after your TN. They cannot say no to getting your TN, and then going to get your SSN, and then you are going to your job, next week, or whatever.
I forget the government building name in downtown Buffalo, but it is what I did the first time.
Whatever city you are crossing at, I am sure they have an office for social security number applications.
The other option in Buffalo is to tell them you are getting your TN and then going for chicken wings and beer, but of course, if the officer has no sense of humour.......
I do not see why being organized and proactive on getting your TN a few days/weeks early should matter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top