crossing the border while on TN visa status

Hey Fellow Canuck Abroad Members. I wanted to know if any of you have experienced the following?

As stated above - I'm a TN visa holder and every time I plan a trip home to Canada I cross the border by Car. On my return to the United States My Visa Lawyer [which My work-place uses] instructs me that I need to get a stamp in my passport every time.

So every time I get up to the booth in my car - the border agent there ask a few questions, looks at my passport and I94, then tells me to have a nice day. It's seems that they don't care if I get a stamp in my passport and see no reason why I should.

At then end of that discussion - I have to request to be sent inside to get stamps. On top of that - I have no idea if the wait will be 30minutes or 2 hours.

To be honest - I would rather not request for the Stamp and simply cross the border easily and happily. Even when I finally get to speak with an Agent inside - they still don't understand why I need to get a stamp but are happy to do it.

So - anyone here also been asked to get stamps by a Visa Lawyer in their passports when crossing the border back into the States?

FYI - I usually cross at the Buffalo border.

Have a good day everyone!

Hello:
No, you dont require a stamp.
I have crossed many times, and have been on TN Visa for 7years in the US.

You must, however, make sure your I-94 is in your passport (do not ever remove). Only time this gets removed is if you were to leave the Western Hemisphere (ie fly to China or Europe, say on vacation, ie they will remove it when you leave the port of entry). You would then have to show them, when returning, again, your TN-letter (should have this be rewritten by your sponsor stating reason for departure, when you expect to return etc),credentials etc and they would then re-stamp your passport, and will staple a new I-94 in it. I've done this, thats all there is to it (I cant recall if they charged me again the ~$50, but company should be able to handle that).

Hope that helps you. I have also crossed many times at Buffalo. Only thing you might wish to keep track of, is when you last crossed. I know they usually do ask that. That may be why you were requested to get a stamp. When they ask you, its really just a checking up on you, since the information is in their system, they want to see what you have to say. So bear that always in mind.ie just prepare yourself each time you go.
Any further questions, let me know.
Cheers!

You shouldn't even have to surrender your I-94 if you're travelling outside of North America. Your TN is multiple entry, and should stay in your passport until the expiry date.

Hey - thanks for responding.

Well I never surrender my TN [I-94]. I was just asked by the Visa Lawyer to get a stamp in the passport when returning to the states. It must be to document the date we last entered the united state.

I guess we will have to decide if we want to get stamps or just write down the date we last entered.

It seemed a bit bizzar since my TN [I-94] says multiple entry right on it.

Hi:
Just added clarification.
Your TN-1 is denoted multiple entry precisly to allow you to leave/re-enter US>Canada and US>Mexico.
Your passport, has a TN-1 stamp on the passport page, as well as on the I-94 which is stapled to it.
As noted before, yes this I-94 will never be removed for Canada and Mexico visits.
It WILL be removed, by US Immigration, only if you depart the Western Hemisphere, and when you reapply for TN renewal. If doing this possible travel, as I have done, you will need to bring with you, your original TN letter, credentials et, and best to have a company letter (if on business) stating reason for your travel/dates etc. I was never hassled when I did, better always safe than sorry.
Cheers!

You don't go through US immigration on the way out of the US, only on the way in, not sure what you're on about here. You don't ever need to surrender the I-94 while it's valid as Reba said.

I am a TN visa holder and my visa expires in the end of march 09. I have left US to India for 2 weeks. I still have my TN visa. Is it an issue to re-enter US since i did not surrender my visa. Should I always need to surrender myy TN when I leave North America.

As previously stated, you DO NOT need to surrender your I-94 for any travel as long as it is still valid.

The only time you should surrender your I-94 before the expiration date is if your employment with your TN sponsor is terminated, and you are returning to Canada.

The regs specifically say you don't have to surrender a multiple entry I-94 regardless of where you're going, if you do they can issue you a new one.