Changing status from TN-1 to F1

Hi, I need help on the procedure involved in changing my TN-1 work permit status onto an F1 stuent visa. Thanks!

Enroll in school, get I-20 issued from school, quit TN job, go to border and enter on F1. Go to school.

Enroll in school, get I-20 issued from school, quit TN job, go to border and enter on F1. Go to school.

Ok, sounds simple enough. However......

I) How long should one be in Canada before entering on the F1? I think it does not matter, since the TN status itself is temporary, ie one should have an address in Canada as a permanent home. I gue ss what reaaly matters is what ucis/cbp thinks

ii) How about driver's licensing and vehicle registration? If I drive my US bought/owned/registered jalopy into Canada, do I have to import it to Canada, even if I'm in Canada for a few weeks?

iii) if I get my state DL for a cdn one, what happens when I get to the border for F1 entry? Id have a cdn DL/temporary paper cdn DL, a state reg car w/ state plates. If I imported the car to canada, would I then need to export it to the us and import the car to the us? It really looks like it would have been easier to leave the car in the usa.



Thanks for reading this far.

While there is indeed the extra burden of maintaining foreign residence on F1 which does not exist on TN, staying in canada a 'few weeks" to do this isn't going to help, and there is a bit of wiggle room on this. You are better off just going to the border and getting F1. I would not be bothring with establishing (and keeping) a Cdn home.

Is it true?

"Canadian Citizens do not need visas to study in the U.S. You do need to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) Certificate of Eligibility from the university that you plan to attend. At the time you receive the I-20 (or DS-2019) you will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system. You will be assigned a SEVIS number, and be required to pay a registration fee."

I found this information on us consulate website. So for example I take admission in MS and have wife and kids How my wife and kids will enter usa when I do not visa.

http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/visas ... visas.html

Cdns almost NEVER get visa, but they get STATUS. Your family will enter US on F2 by showing your I-94 card that you will get at the border. If they are Cdn they will show this card at the border, if thety are not Cdn citziens, they will need this card t oprocess their F2 visa application at the consulate, and then enter US at border.