First time TN Applicant - University Teacher

Hi everyone,

First of all, thank you for these forums-- I've spent the last few hours reading through the many posts on TN visas and they have been extremely informative. After reading about the difficult or negative experiences that some people have reported in applying for a TN visa, I still have a few questions/worries and would greatly appreciate some advice.

First, my situation:

- I just finished a year of employment at a US university as part of my OPT, following my graduate work. I taught freshman expository writing and have just been offered the position again for the coming academic year. The university's international office recommended I apply for a TN visa, as it is too late to apply for an H-1B on my behalf. I have been living in Montreal for the last two months and plan to cross the border in mid-August to begin teaching the first week of September. My spouse will not be accompanying me to the US: I will be spending Mon-Wed in Boston and Thurs-Sun in Montreal.


My documentation:

- A letter from my employer stating my position (Teacher, University), the length of employment (August 2010-July 2011), salary, description of duties, and my previous experience.

- My original diploma for my graduate degree (Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University) and a an official original Certification of Degrees Awarded for my undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Literature from M.I.T.)


My concerns:

1. Is there a problem with not having my original Bachelor's diploma? It was lost a few years ago along with a few other boxes in a move. I've contacted M.I.T. and they will happily provide me with as many originals certificates of my degree as I want but not an actual replacement diploma. From their point of view, the diploma is merely decorative-- what counts is the certification provided by their Registrar's office. I do have my original Ph.D. diploma. My graduate field is Romance Languages and Literatures; will that be an issue for a position teaching undergraduate writing? It's not unusual at all within my department: many of my colleagues come from other areas in the humanities rather than English and American Literature.

2. I've seen a few posts and other websites that recommend dressing as if for a job interview. Should I wear a tie and shirt to the border? I will be traveling by Greyhound bus from Montreal to Boston in the middle of August. Won't someone wearing a shirt and tie on an 8+ hour bus trip in hot and humid weather seem out of place? I don't mind dressing up if that is expected, but I also don't want to seem like I am trying too hard or trying to draw attention away from my actual qualifications.

3. Because I have spent the last several years in the US for my graduate degree and OPT, I imagine I will be asked about my ties to Canada and non-immigrant intent. How much detail and documentation should I provide? We have been subletting an apartment for the last 2 months but have already signed a 1-yr lease here in Montreal starting in September. Should I mention that my husband is staying in Montreal? I am worried that a homophobic agent might take that as his or her cue to find some reason for denying my application. Also, if asked why he is staying behind, I would have to truthfully answer that when we applied for him to accompany me during my OPT as a B-2 cohabitating partner (he is Brazilian, not Canadian) his application was rejected under 214(b). I'm worried that will somehow color the way they look at me.

4. I had a nerve-wracking experience at the same border crossing last month. I was returning to Boston for a few days to submit some final paperwork for the course I'd taught in the spring, as well as pick up a few things I'd left behind. I was referred for secondary inspection. The officer decided that because the course I was teaching had finished in May, I could no longer enter under my F-1 OPT even though my OPT was still valid for another month and my letter of employment stated July as the end date. He said I could "come in as a Canadian" to get my stuff and hand in my grades, which I assume meant some sort of B status (no I-94, no stamp on the passport). Should I have cause to worry? I've never had any problems before and that experience really shook me. By virtue of the bus route and schedule, I expect to cross at the same place and time of day when applying for the TN visa.


I apologize for the long post and thank everyone in advance for their advice or insights.

This is just my personal take on this, but I wouldn't take the bus to apply for a TN. Drive to Boston in your own car or fly out of Trudeau. Buses always seem to be full of people who dont have their stuff straight (trains, too). I used to take the train to Buffalo when I lived in Toronto and we'd always get held up because some people were completely unaware of requirements to enter the US and inadmissible etc.

I can only imagine DHS officers get aggravated more during bus/train crossings than pre-clearance at an international airport. You don't need an overworked-utterly annoyed officer looking at your application.

I think having a spouse in Canada and going home every weekend is proof of strong ties. Just so you know, the issue of ties to Canada doesn't always come up. I was never asked about it and lots of other people on this board will tell you it never came up for them, either.

No one can tell you for sure how it's gonna go because it's just the very nature of TN's, a complete shot in the dark.

I really think you will be fine though, you have impressive credentials, experience and your employer seems familiar with the TN procedures. I had little work experience as I was fresh out of university, degrees from non-impressive schools and got a TN anyway. Of course, I had all the basic requirements but I'm sure being from Harvard cant hurt!!!

Just be calm, dont get worked up EVER and dont break down. You never know how things will turn out (ie. you may think you're getting denied while you're really not).

Be very nice and cooperative but appear a little aloof about it, dont act too eager. It's just human nature to want to dangle a carrot when you know someone really wants something. Play it cool.