Changing Jobs while on TN

Hello:

Can anyone advise regarding changing jobs while on TN in the U.S.?

Thanks a lot.

Regards,

Saikrishna

You can't. The laws regarding a TN visa are that you are only allowed to work for that particular company that sponsored and hired you. If you leave that job, or you get terminated, then you have to leave the country.

If you have another job offer from a different company, they will have to complete the paperwork for a TN visa for you, and you'll have to return to Canada to start the process over.

Hi,

I changed jobs a few times while in the US. Personally, I just got the letter needed from my new employer (brought my passport and other school required papers) and drove back to Canada for a weekend. When coming back in, I stopped at the border and got my new TN. It usually takes 15 minutes or so and I'm on my way.

Hi,

I changed jobs a few times while in the US. Personally, I just got the letter needed from my new employer (brought my passport and other school required papers) and drove back to Canada for a weekend. When coming back in, I stopped at the border and got my new TN. It usually takes 15 minutes or so and I'm on my way.

+1. ive done it several times in the 7 years i was there. i didn't even cross for the weekend, i crossed and turned around to cross back 2 minutes later. they really dont care. but i was also within 1.5 hours of the border so it was not a big hassle

Can bibs_sand and gtoast post with their preferred border x-ings?

thanks

i used the sarnia/port huron crossing when i was in michigan

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if there is a standard letter employers have to submit for the candidate to get a VISA crossing the border. Is there somewhere on-line where sample letters are posted?

Thanks!

Note, none of you are actually "changing jobs while under a TN". You are getting brand new TN visas, which is the law -- your TN is tied to that one employer and only that one employer, period. If you change jobs, you need a new TN. If you try moonlighting and get caught, USCIS will cancel your TN and kick you out of the country.

I think theoretically you even need a new TN if you radically change jobs in the same company, since you have to specify your job, title, and salary in the application. But that may be too much bureaucracy even for the US government.

Note you also can't "renew" a TN visa. Every year you get a brand new one. There is no such thing as renewing.

Fortunately, TN visas are easy to get. All you need is a job that qualifies and a plane ticket to the US. I guess since they are only good for a year, and under a TN visa you are *not* considered a US resident, USCIS doesn't worry so much about them.

So if you want to change jobs, don't let a TN stop you. However, if you also have a green card application started, that's a whole other story. you don't want to change jobs in that case.

Actually, you are allowed to work for more than one employer in the US on a TN visa. The caveat is that you need a TN visa for each employer. For example, you could be doing contract work for 4 companies on 4 different TN visas at the same time. Check out centa.com. David Ingram gives really great advice and is an expert on Canadian and US tax/visa issues.

As for the letter you need, just google TN visa job offer letter. There are tons of examples on the web. It needs to state things like: one year employment contract, occupation from NAFTA list, salary etc.

Hope that helps.

Hey guys I am filing the I-129 form for the first time . here is the link
uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=049590be46ccd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD
there are so many unclear things on this form
I am extending my TN and transfering to a diff company so I wasnt sure what to pick can someone please help me
----------------------
New Employment
Continuation of previously approved employment without change
*** Change in previously approved employment
New concurrent employment
---------------------
Notify the office in Part 4 so the person(s) can obtain a visa or be admitted (NOTE: a petition is not required for an E-1, E-2, or R visa).
Change the person(s) status and extend their stay since they are all now in the U.S. in another status (see instructions for limitations). This is available only where you check "New Employment" in item 2, above.
*** Extend or amend the stay of the person(s) since they now hold this status
---------------

the ones i picked have astericks in front of them. not sure if thats correct. has anyone filled I-129 form electronically before. any ideas how long it takes for them to process it?