Common TN Visa Mistakes to Avoid

Over the past five years, my wife and I have received numerous TN visas. We are both on our second employer, living in our second US city.
Each visit to the border is different as each port of entry operates differently. Our recommendations include:

1. Always smile, be polite/friendly and extremely patient.
2. Bring original documents including the actual diploma.
3. Bring both credit card and US cash. Some offices accept cash only.
4. Be aware of your words, tone, volume and emotions.

As said before, each port of entry is different, each officer is different and there is nothing saying that the same officer will handle you the same way, be it the next day, week or year.

We've had the pleasure of crossing at the Ambassador Bridge in Windor/Detroit and recommend asking for female officer Ms.Cope.
She is considered the NAFTA expert had have actually heard other officers refer all TN business to her during her M-F, 8-4 hours and nothing else.(isn't it a 24 hour border crossing and one of the busiest?)

We have used airport offices in Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Chicago. Since my last renewal was in Chicago and the worst exeperience yet, I am planning to use a Canadian airport next because I believe that they are familar with Canadians applying for TN. Chicago OHare, didn't know how to process a TN, quoted a non government website to support their knowledge and were rude.

One last thing, good luck and have fun because over time, you'll become the NAFTA expert and oh ya, never, never use the word "renew".

Cheers!

TN Visa and Unemployment Insurance in California very recent.

I am currently on my sixth TN Visa contract in USA, and my contract was terminated two days ago, due to Company downsizing.
I spent little bit than six months on this project sa an Engineer.
Prior to that I was in Canada doing very same job for two and half years but operated as my own company. I guess many Engineers are doing just that. Now I would like to apply for Californian UI, and go home. Problrm is in catch 22 type of California regulations which is all puzlled and like maze from nimber of corrupted web sites and answering machines.

Does anybody has any advice or recent experience???????

Thanks in advance

Miro

g-op, you must be a CBPO.

You hit it right on the head. Good to hear the truth. Stay safe bro!

This thread covers the UI situation if you're laid off on TN-1: Is TN qualify for Unemployment Insurance?

Needless to say, I was tortured and interrogated for hours in the Toronto airport. I did not have original documents and was told I needed to go back to the US and cross the border the next day (a 7-hr drive each way) or stay in Canada until the documents arrived.
Just as I was about to give up hope, the shift changed and new workers came on - the new supervisor said he would accept my copies, no problem.
However, the woman who ended up processing my visa was insane and really had it in for me. She gave me the third degree about how my application was woefully inadequate, how if it were up to her there was NO WAY I would be approved, and she begrudgingly granted me my TN, but ONLY for 9 months instead of the usual 12. Then, to top it off, she gave me an I-94 form to fill out IN SPANISH! When I asked for an English form, she claimed they "didn't have any." Then she smirked and said "And besides, don't you speak Spanish.?" referring to my letter of employment which does include some work in Spanish. I complied, but this was abuse, clear and simple. "

Brainy girl i do sympathize with you however it was your fault for not taking original documents, you know how US immigration folks are, they just go by the books. I guess from their prospective if they approved you and somehow you did something bad then that immigration officer might get into trouble for not getting proper documents. Your lucky that they let you in... You must be super hot, if it was me without the original document they would have wooped me and send me to Canada back again.

funny

TN Question. I'm a few months into a 3 year TN visa. I'm leaving my employer in a few months to take a job in Canada. The job doesn't require me to be full-time in Canada.Personal circumstances mean that I'd like to go back and forward between the US and Canada until April when I settle permanently back in Canada. So a few days up in Canada, fly back to the US, and vice verse.

If I don't say anything about leaving my employer and thus the end of my TN visa will my employer report the end of my employment? Can I buy a few months of time in the US (travelling back and forward repeatedly) by just telling the US immigration guys I still work for the same employer and am still on the TN and was merely travelling to Canada for business?

I can imagine that if I get popped for this it would be long and painful. Any ideas, warnings etc?

If I don't say anything about leaving my employer and thus the end of my TN visa will my employer report the end of my employment? Can I buy a few months of time in the US (travelling back and forward repeatedly) by just telling the US immigration guys I still work for the same employer and am still on the TN and was merely travelling to Canada for business?

I can imagine that if I get popped for this it would be long and painful. Any ideas, warnings etc?

First of all, you may want to get the notion of LYING to CBP officials out of your head. You'll be setting yourself up for a ban from the U.S. if this catches up to you.

Once you leave your employer, immigration WILL be informed as this is what is required of them once you leave. So yes, you're employer will report the end of your employment.

My suggestion is to clear up any ties you may have while still employed in the U.S, like get all of your business situated, then head for Canada so you will not have to go back and forth.

While there is no requirement, and in fact no mechanism for the employer to report end of TN (unlike H1), as Dremani sez, your TN ends with your job, and you would be lying.

If you want to go back and forth, simply get a place in Canada when you go back, and then you can visit US as a tourist all you want.

What's your motive for not saying you live in canada?

From other fellow canuck's I have come in contact with here in the U.S., their employers indeed reported them terminated once they moved to Canada on a TN. One friend of mine was asked why she is returning to the U.S from a CBP official when her employment termintated on sucha a date and time..etc She was travelling to NY for a wedding. But a guess there is no "real mechanism" unless on the H1B..