Changing Jobs while on TN

On second thought I'm just going to fill out the I-129 form and mail it to them. but question is on the I-129 form there are 17 pages which ones do I need to fill out in order to renew/extend my stay with a new company. plaese help!

Keeping in mind that free advice is worth what you pay for it:

I tried your link and it timed out, maybe I'm missing a piece of it. I googled I-129 and found it on the USCIS site. For TN it says "Employers may also use this form to request an extension of stay or change of status for an alien". I don't think this form applies to you because if you are changing companies you need a new TN.

However, things have apparently changed since I got my first TN almost 5 years ago. It looks like Canadians without dependents don't even need a visa anymore (Free Trade at last!):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1274.html

"Canadian citizens usually do not need a visa as a NAFTA Professional. A Canadian citizen without a TN visa can apply at a U.S. port of entry with all of the following:

* Request for admission under TN status to Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. immigration officer;
* Employment Letter - Evidence of professional employment. See Employment Letter below;
* Proof of professional qualifications, such as transcripts of grades, licenses, certificates, degrees, and/or records of previous employment;
* Proof of ability to meet applicable license requirements;
* Proof of Canadian citizenship- Canadian citizens may present a passport, as visas are not required, or they may provide secondary evidence, such as a birth certificate. However, Canadian citizens traveling to the United States from outside the Western Hemisphere are required to present a valid passport at the port-of-entry;
* Fee of U.S. $50 "

On this commercial site it calls this a TN-1:

http://www.topechelon.com/recruiters/co ... 1_visa.htm

"There are no forms required for issuance of a TN-1, and TN-1 is obtained at the border, in person, without having to submit the visa application by mail as with other visas."

If you have dependents you still need a TN visa so you can get them their TD visas. Does this apply to you?

I'm about to renew my TN, but I always get my company's immigration lawyers to take care of the paperwork for me. I'll ask them about this TN-1 stuff.

which I believe means that you don't have to apply for a TN at a US consulate prior to going through the border, but you do have to apply for it at the border still and have with you all the relevant information.

They structure their information guides funny just to cause confusion.

You can have multiple TN Visas (one for each employer) at the same time.

Simply prepare the application and apply for the TN Visa at a valid Port of Entry (border crossing).

Based on this there are various ways you can change jobs.
- obtain the new job, get the tn visa, resign at old job
- obtain the new job, resign at old job, get the tn visa

Be considerate and ethical in dealing with you employers.

Good Luck!

hello,
I have a couple of questions related to TN visas. I am a physiotherapist that has been on a TN visa for awhile now. I have had some nightmarish border experiences, one where I was denied reentry for 6 weeks (my fault) so I am extremely nervous now when I am crossing the border now. I am currently working for a travel company (the assignments are 13 weeks long). My TN expires June 11, I am planning on going home next week. I would like to accept a new job and I know that I need a new TN for that. Ideally I would like to obtain 2 TN's, one for each company. If I have an offer letter from both companies and all the proper documentation can I obtain both TN visas when I cross next week? I am under contract with the travel company until July 3rd and want to start the with the new company July 6th. I wasnt sure if it would be too early to obtain the visa for the second job (approximately 18 days before my official start date). I am really nervous because I have been on a TN for so long (10 years) and am worried I will have a difficult time proving that I am a temporary resident. My permanent address is at my parents in Canada (I never owned any property before coming to the States) and I dont own any property in the States. I think I will get more questions from immigration since I was denied entry once before in 2006. any advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance

Well if you're changing employers, that has a greater appearance of the job being temporary. You could obtain two TN-1s at the same time, there's no reason why not, although 18 days prior is pushing your luck. Couldn't you just make the start date a few days earlier?

All your previous TN-1s will be listed in your entry record so there's no point worrying about it because there's nothing you can do about it.

thanks for your prompt response, I actually got advice to call the POE I will be crossing at (Minneapolis) and the supervisor said absolutely no way, 18 days is too long. I think my new company will be fine with changing the start date to earlier so that is the route I am going with. Thanks again

Hi there:

So, what I get is, if you're planning to change job, obtain new TN for the new job and once it has been accomplished, one can resign at the old job, is this understanding correct? Thanks.

Regards,

Saikrishna

You can have multiple TN Visas (one for each employer) at the same time.

Simply prepare the application and apply for the TN Visa at a valid Port of Entry (border crossing).

Based on this there are various ways you can change jobs.
- obtain the new job, get the tn visa, resign at old job
- obtain the new job, resign at old job, get the tn visa

Be considerate and ethical in dealing with you employers.

Good Luck!

Yes, generally that is the correct approach. However, different strokes for different folks does indeed apply here. Some resigning a position are more comfortable going back to the border to get a new TN with a new employer while others do not entertain such risks should they encounter a strict CBP inspector and may in fact prefer applying for new authorization from within the U.S. before making a move.

... if it is any consolation, one never is required to give notice to an employer before leaving. "Consideration" doesn't really enter into workplace legalities -- certainly not from the employer.