TN visa in Miami

[jorged23]

Hi,

I am Canadian citizen, I will get a job offer to work in Miami
soon and would like to ask two questions:

1- I am living now in El Salvador temporarily. There is a not a US port of entry in El Salvador. So I am thinking to apply at the port of entry in Miami, coming from El Salvador. However, what would happen in case the TN visa is not approved in Miami ? How could I get a return ticket with no entry to take a flight back right away in case the TN visa is not approved ? Would I be deported or what would be the procedure in this case ?

2- Should I apply in advance by mail ? and how long it takes to
get TN visa by mail and how ?

Thanks for your advice !

George

 

[gunt]

I am Canadian citizen, I will get a job offer to work in Miami
soon and would like to ask two questions:

1- I am living now in El Salvador temporarily. There is a not a US port of entry in El Salvador. So I am thinking to apply at the port of entry in Miami, coming from El Salvador. However, what would happen in case the TN visa is not approved in Miami ? How could I get a return ticket with no entry to take a flight back right away in case the TN visa is not approved ? Would I be deported or what would be the procedure in this case ?

2- Should I apply in advance by mail ? and how long it takes to
get TN visa by mail and how ?

1. The officials will accomodate you to connect you with the correct airline people so that you can purchase a ticket to return to El Salvador or to Canada if you wish. It is not really a case of deportation, but rather a case of denial of entry. This happened to a friend of mine a few years ago arriving on a flight from HK to JFK. He was allowed to purchase a ticket to fly from JFK to Canada.
You may wish to purchase a roundtrip ticket from El Salvador to Miami anyways because it may be cheaper than a oneway, in which case you problem is solved. This will also may allow you to enter the US as a visitor if you TN application is denied, since you can prove that you will indeed be leaving (the return portion of your ticket)

2. I don't think this is an option for you as it is my understanding that the mail in option is only avalible in the TN classification for extention of stay or change of status. In which case you could enter the US on a visitor B-2 visa then file a mail-in TN change of status.

 

[jorged23]

Thank you for your answer Gunt.

I was checking about US port of entries and I found out that there is one in Bahamas. Another option could be to apply in the Bahamas POE.

If TN is not granted for any reason, I can stay in Bahamas to buy a ticket to get back to El Salvador with no mayor problems I guess. I cheked in the web and there is not visa requeriment for entry to Bahamas for Canadians...

What do you think about this option ?

George

1. The officials will accomodate you to connect you with the correct airline people so that you can purchase a ticket to return to El Salvador or to Canada if you wish. It is not really a case of deportation, but rather a case of denial of entry. This happened to a friend of mine a few years ago arriving on a flight from HK to JFK. He was allowed to purchase a ticket to fly from JFK to Canada.
You may wish to purchase a roundtrip ticket from El Salvador to Miami anyways because it may be cheaper than a oneway, in which case you problem is solved. This will also may allow you to enter the US as a visitor if you TN application is denied, since you can prove that you will indeed be leaving (the return portion of your ticket)

2. I don't think this is an option for you as it is my understanding that the mail in option is only avalible in the TN classification for extention of stay or change of status. In which case you could enter the US on a visitor B-2 visa then file a mail-in TN change of status.

 

[warlord]

Um isn't the POE in the Bahamas just used only for people flying directly from the Bahamas to the US? Just the same as they have US POE's in all the Canadian airports, but you have to have a confirmed direct flight to the US to be able to enter through them. I really don't think you can fly to the Bahamas and try and apply without having a direct flight booked into the US.

Also since where you're comming from, that might be a problem too. They'll be probably heavily questioning your actual Canadian (or Mexican if TN-2) citizenship if you're comming from somewhere else for your first TN.

I think this situation might be a little more complex then you think...

 

[webtiger]

Warlord is correct, you can only apply for a TN, inside or outside of North America, if you have a US flight booked that day. You apply as you go through the pre-flight security/screening area(s).
This all sounds really iffy I think you might be better off flying into Canada then trying for a TN at either an airport, with a confirmed US flight, or driving to a POE and trying there.