TN Visa Concern for Canadian Citizen - Urgent

K

kev123

New Member
Hello, I am a Canadian Citizen and going to apply for TN at border. I have few concerns as follows:

1. What should I tell the officer regarding - whether I am driving back to Canada after or going to work in US? What other points to keep in mind, should say or should not say to office? Please let me know about this.

2. I check some previous post, which is the best one to go
- Buffalo/Niagara Falls - Peace Bridge Fort Erie one ? OR
- Buffalo/Niagara Falls - Rainbow Bridge?
Please advice.

3. Starting date in my TN letter is 1st Feb, 2016 and I am planning to go on 21st Jan, 2016. Will that be fine?

I am really concerned and tensed about this. I will really appreciate if you can please reply in detail for above 3 points.

Thanks in advance.
 
These are not really urgent problems. You will either get the TN on this visit or you won't. Up to the officer. The fact that your letter says 2/1/16 removes the possibility that you can say you are going to work (reason why letter should not have start date). But 10 days seems reasonable -- to me.

Focus on the merits of your petition, rather that which POE.

That is all the "detail" I'm going to provide.
 
Just to add to Nelsona's response, if your petition is a good and straight fwd one, you should be fine regardless of the PEO you choose. 10 days is definitely quite reasonable...you will just ask CBP agent for TN status to be granted when you get to the POE. They will then review your documentation and determine if you are eligible.

What is the TN profession you are targeting and your education?
 
Thanks Nelsona and Mister for response.

@ Nelsona - you mentioned "(reason why letter should not have start date)" - isn't the requirement to mention starting and ending date of employment?

@ TN profession is Engineer and I have Bachelor of Engineering degree from McMaster Univ, Hamilton, ON, Canada
 
You should be fine going a few (even 10 days) prior to actual start date as Nelsona mentioned. I dont think (hope) you should have an issue.

Do you have your paperwork in place? if so, with an engineering degree from Canada and a related job you should be ok.

Re "What should I tell the officer regarding - whether I am driving back to Canada after or going to work in US?". If asked, always tell the truth. Dont just get the TN and make a u-turn without even entering US. Enter the US in valid status (which is TN), and then you can go to Canada if your intention is to get your luggage and other personal belongings etc. from Canada. I dont think they will appreciate it very much if after getting TN, you were to ask them whether you can now turn back to go to Canada.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes
 
Yes, I will be providing the following:
1. Canadian Passport
2. Copy of NAFTA schedule of occupations
3. Original Bachelor of Engineering degree
4. Offer Letter

I am going to Fort Erie border. I have cousin thr, so will just say - will visit him and go back later.

Beside that, job is in New Jersey. If officer asks, where you will be staying and how you will commute to work? - Will say that I will be staying with my family friend thr initially. And will look for place after. For commute I will use mine car for now and later will see to buy a car. Yeah all this is true. This is what my actual plan is. Sounds reasonable?
 
All this is of no concern. Since you are going with a start date of Feb 1, and it will not be Feb 1, there is no way you can be going to work at that time. If they grant your TN, then they don't care if you are turning around. If they did care, they simply wouldn't give you the TN, they won't ask what you are going to do.

And why would you bring the "NAFTA schedule of occupations"? They obviously know that schedule. that would be like bringing a doctor a schematic of your internal organs. Insulting their intelligence is not the best course.

By the way, you can't make a U-turn at the POE without entering US, so ignore that comment. The post-dated letter has sealed your start date.
 
Yes that makes sense. won't carry NAFTA schedule of occupation. thanks guys! appreciated.

I will update once back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top