What can I get done while waiting in Canada?

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marcoprodrigues

New Member
I recently received and accepted a job offer in the US. They will be covering the legal fees for the TN1 status application, but I wanted to know how much can I get done while I wait in Canada (after I receive my TN1 status?) prior to moving to a US address?

For example, can I apply for an SSN without a US address? What about my I-94 (or this is part of receiving the TN1 status?). I obviously want to avoid as many hasseles as possible prior to moving to the US and the more I can get done the better. But everything I look at seems to require a US address. :) Meaning, once I get my TN1 I'll have to move into my new home and begin applying (or start applying once I know what my address will be). Or is it ok to use an existing address of say a relative or friend?

Any help or guidance for a new Canadian moving to the US would be great. Maybe a pointer to an FAQ, etc.

Thanks!
 
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marcoprodrigues said:
I recently received and accepted a job offer in the US. They will be covering the legal fees for the TN1 status application, but I wanted to know how much can I get done while I wait in Canada (after I receive my TN1 status?) prior to moving to a US address?

For example, can I apply for an SSN without a US address? What about my I-94 (or this is part of receiving the TN1 status?). I obviously want to avoid as many hasseles as possible prior to moving to the US and the more I can get done the better. But everything I look at seems to require a US address. :) Meaning, once I get my TN1 I'll have to move into my new home and begin applying (or start applying once I know what my address will be). Or is it ok to use an existing address of say a relative or friend?
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you cannot apply for SSN without a valid TN. the I-94 is the entry/departure record that you get when you are approved for TN status.
The things you can take care of in advance are :
1. have all the documents you will need to transfer your driving licence and vehicle insurance when you arrive in the US.
2. prepare the documents you need to open a bank account in the US
3. prepare the documents you need to acquire a credit card in the US. (you have no credit history in the US).
4. prepare your investment accounts and RRSP accounts to be transfered to the US. once you a US resident for tax purposes, you are not supposed to be using a Canadian broker.
5. Prepare your Canadian bank accounts so that you have US$ accounts in Canada in case you need to wire money or checks in US$.
 
I doubt I’d prepare to transfer my RRSP’s based on a first time TN. However gunt has a point that foreign investments are a pain to manage.

At the very minimum the future immigrant should review all his investments (RRSP, real-estate). If you have investments that have capital gain it’s sometimes to your advantage to sell and buyback simply to update your book value and exempt you from US tax on those gains later on.

It’s very complicated and requires someone who knows this stuff. Your typical accountant is clueless.

However it’s possible to keep your RRSP’s in Canada. There are many Canadian brokerage companies that are licensed in the US.

Get your Canadian DMV records and keep color photocopies of all DL and registration. If your bringing a Canadian car that’s a headache.
 
Thats true even that car you can't sale it here in USA.

I am selling my Canadian car if somebody need it. Its Honda Civic 2004 LX fully loaded, total 49000 Kms on it.

Will take best offer.
 
I am not sure about the selling the cdn car. But (depending on what car you have), registration and insurance is no problem at all. I have a Honda civic - 2002. I impoerted it formally (no cost when you are on TN) and then registered it within 15 minutes. Getting insurance was another few minutes!

Shyboy said:
Thats true even that car you can't sale it here in USA.

I am selling my Canadian car if somebody need it. Its Honda Civic 2004 LX fully loaded, total 49000 Kms on it.

Will take best offer.
Click to expand...
 
If the dash has both Km/mi you probably don't need any modification unless your going to California. If it's Km only, that will cost a few $.

Before you go off and sell your car keep in mind that you will have a great deal of problem getting any car loan approved in the short term. Either you have the cash or you might be stuck paying high interest if you can get approved at all.
 
Good subject.

Don't sell the car just yet. Make sure you can get a car loan first. This is an excellent way to start your credit rating. The only problem is that you need a SSN to do this as the financing arm will check you SSN. Equifax, which is one of the big credit rating agencies here, also is in in Canada. See if you can get a Canadian Equifax report pulled and if the car company will look at it here. IF not then keep the car for about a year until you can get a car here. Then take the car back to Canada and dump it. Like I said before, you can drive a Jag in the U.S for the cost of a Hyundai on Canada.


BTW...Your credit rating rating rules your life for everything in the U.S. You need to start researching this and forget about everything you know about in Canada.
 
This is true as I tried it, once you import the car on TN for personal use, you can't sale it, you have to import it again and pay taxes on it if you are planing to sale the car in USA.

Thats why I said I need to sale it, which means I have to go back to Canada and sale it there (of course have to import in Canada again).
 
Are you sure???

I think you guys are confusing things. There is such a thing as a temporary import. And I believe you guys are correct the car would need to go back to Canada. And I also believe the car would be exempt of complying with DOT regulations. Maybe that what you want to do?

Double check your info. I imported [permanently] my motorcycle a few years ago and my understanding was that I would be exempt of tax as long as I kept the vehicle for a year.
 
Also about financing.

This is one of the wonders of America. You can do almost any business without ever meeting.

I have found that it’s easier to deal with offices that are located close to the Canada/US border. Even if you live in the middle of Houston you are free to call up a Bank in Detroit and arrange you’re financing with them. You are more likely to find staff that will know how to pull your Canadian Equifax report.

I’ve had a car loan with a Buffalo, NY bank and my mortgage was done through Minneapolis, MN yet I live in Milwaukee, WI.

That my tip of the day!
 
Shyboy said:
This is true as I tried it, once you import the car on TN for personal use, you can't sale it, you have to import it again and pay taxes on it if you are planing to sale the car in USA.
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If that is the case then this differs by case. No issues selling the car you imported from Canada to Florida, if you registered it for personal use.
 
DBEL said:
Even if you live in the middle of Houston you are free to call up a Bank in Detroit and arrange you’re financing with them. You are more likely to find staff that will know how to pull your Canadian Equifax report.
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Damn, I wish you had told me that 5 years ago. Great tip!
 
DBEL said:
Are you sure???

I think you guys are confusing things. There is such a thing as a temporary import. And I believe you guys are correct the car would need to go back to Canada. And I also believe the car would be exempt of complying with DOT regulations. Maybe that what you want to do?

Double check your info. I imported [permanently] my motorcycle a few years ago and my understanding was that I would be exempt of tax as long as I kept the vehicle for a year.
Click to expand...

-- Correct, you can import it for personal use and then you are free to sale it after using it for 1 year.
 
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