You need a TN for EACH sponsor. If Companny X is your sponsor, then you will have one TN thru them, and then one for each of any other events that Company X is not your sponsor.
Company X has to be a US firm, as do each other sponsor.
Not sure what this has to do with the title of your post "TN timing". It's not a timing issue. It is a sponsorship issue.
Timing refers to when the visa is granted - before the day of travel (in advance like a B1 visa), or ON the day of travel at the airport.
My Feedback..
I went to a Canadian airport today and found out the following.
first.. information on how this process works, and the specifics of documentation is not known or understood by many US customs officials. I finally got to a supervisor , who even had to go and "check" on a question.
THis is what i was told:
1. Major Canadian Airports are not considered Points of Entry (POE) The are simply access points, and are not the same thing a a US border crossing on US soil. As a result, it is very hard to speak to someone un US customs if you do not carry a boarding pass for that day. The TN Visa is granted or denied on the spot, at the discretion of the official - ticket in hand - bags packed.
You require :
1. Letter from sponsor detailing job title, job function, salary and length os SPONSORSHIP (not stay) this can be up to three years / sponsor.
2. A raised crested stamp on original documentation proving University degree. NO photocopies, I was told to rip my degree out of its frame and bring it to the airport.... really?? After further pushing, I determined it is the RAISED SEAL that is needed - so a university transcript, or document SEALED, will work.
3. $50 USD.
OK so now that we know what we need I'm still pretty uncomfortable making plans with the customer, rebooking the ticket, hotels, shuttles etc.. only to get to the Airport and again be refused entry because I don't have "x" or "y" or they don't like my letter , or its wording. This process still appears to be totally 100% arbitrary to your officer at the moment of crossing. Further pushing revealed ...
The TN visa can be obtained at a US BORDER CROSSING PHYSICALLY IN THE USA IN ADVANCE.
So a quick trip to Niagara Falls should do the trick to allow me to have the TN visa in my pocket - pre-approved BEFORE I REBOOK THE FLIGHT, hotels, shuttles, dinners, etc etc.
Nelsona is correct - its one TN visa per sponsor. so if you client is different every time, you need a fresh TN visa / sponsor letter.
In the case of a subcontract to a firm "company x", where I am the trainer working under contract for company x, i need only one TN visa, naming Company X, regardless of the actual end user. But if I contract DIRECTLY to any other firm other than COmpany x - i need a another TN Visa.
I think that once i get thru the process once, and know that my sealed degree paperwork is acceptable, and that my sponsor letter is properly worded, I might not be at risk of a refusal on day of travel from a Canadian Airport.
Ill update this post after the trip to the Niagara Falls crossing.
