Can I get TN visa in advance of actual flight date?

Glad to find this board! I am in Toronto planning to fly to US west coast to start work Oct 1.

Since it looks risky to get the TN on the same day (wait time at Pearson? is it 24 hour operation?), can I try to get TN by driving to Queenston/Lewiston bridge near Buffalo first? If so, how many days in advance, a couple of weeks acceptable? More importantly, what can I tell the border officer? that I'm getting this in advance of the flight? I wonder if I get denied for saying that. But saying that I'm driving to get to west coast seem not that truthful either.

Thanks for the tip!

You are allowed to get your TN Visa a maximum of 2 weeks before the start date listed on the TN Visa Support letter, or Company offer letter.

I've been to Buffalo/Fort Erie Crossing twice to do TN Visas and it's VERY easy to do there.

Thanks very much, that makes more sense. I assume it's ok to tell the officer I'm getting it in advance of the flight?

Is there major difference between the bridges to Buffalo, did anybody get TN ok at Queenston/Lewiston?

Need to know basis. Don't tell the agent anything he or she doesn't need to know. If they ask you, answer, but other than that, don't volunteer answers.

Very good point, B0000rt -- "need to know basis".

This is very important -- even when answering questions. Answer them clearly and concisely - don't provide more information than you need to.

Good Luck!

I just noticed the support letter doesn't have a start date, it just says "immediately". Other than that, it is prepared by experienced HR and seems to be quite complete. Would that be a problem at all?

itll be a problem. one requirement of the letter content is that it must include the start date (plus end date, salary, job disc. etc)- you should have it corrected. my first tn application i got turned away because my degree was in latin. tried the next day with the same degree, and got accepted by a different officer so it also depends on who you get.
keep in mind the that the one year timestamp starts when the visa is issued, not when the job starts.
good luck!

Yes, it'll be a problem. Get the dates on the letter. And have the original letter - not a faxed copy.

You may want to consider obtaining the TN Visa Expert Kit, to ensure your letter is correct (we provide step by step instructions, the legal jargon to use, sample letters, border crossing statistics) and you will have a chapter preparing you for the border interview/process.

Here is a link to the TN Visa Expert Kit. A preview is provided to show you the value and help you decide for yourself.

Good luck

I tried getting a visa a couple of days before moving and the visa was denied because I was not on my way there. The following week the visa was issued as I was on my way there.

You are allowed to get your TN Visa a maximum of 2 weeks before the start date listed on the TN Visa Support letter, or Company offer letter.

I've been to Buffalo/Fort Erie Crossing twice to do TN Visas and it's VERY easy to do there.

I believe the question is, prior to exiting Canada can the applicant for a TN visa obtain the TN visa, continue to stay in Canada for a few days and then leave to the US with the approved visa.