live in canada, work in the states buying a house on TN?

eertw
New Member



Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 3

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:33 pm

 

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I think it has finally got to be, the cross border traffic and the higher canadian dollar, I have a TN visa as an engineer, i just went to the border with a letter from my employer and my diploma, i am currently looking to buy a hosue in MI, can i do that on a TN visa, i have been seraching all over these websites and it really does not say, all i have is a TN visa stapled into my passport, do you get a SSN with your TN? any help would be appercated, Thanks

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gtoast
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 64
Location: Fulda, DE...

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:45 am

 

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well ive got a house in michigan i am currentl foreclosing on.if you buy it maybe the lawyers will leave me alone?
yes i bought on TN visa. mortgage companies dont really care, as long as you can prove your income. just please be smart. alot of americans enjoy buying more than they can afford by taking interest only arms, not thinking that in 3 years or whatever they still owe all the principle back over and above the maximum affordable interest only payment they were initially approved for.
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the day i win the lotery will be the time that 100 000 000 other people picked the same numbers as me

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Christopher G. Rizzo, Esq
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Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Location: Red Bank, NJ USA

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:53 am

 

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Of course you can buy a house as a TN nonimmigrant.
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Christopher G. Rizzo, Esq
Special Counsel
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Email: Crizzo@naftalawfirm.com

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eertw
New Member



Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 3

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:40 pm

 

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Thanks for the help

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visaplace
New Member



Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Toronto

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:58 pm

 

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Hello
You can indeed purchase real estate in the US on a TN visa. However, please note that TN Visas are non immigrant visas which means that you should maintain your ties to Canada while you are on a TN Visa. This could mean maintaining a bank account, residence, in Canada etc. When it comes time for renewal, an officer may make inquiries about your ties to Canada.
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Canada and US Immigration Lawyers
20 Eglinton Avenue West Suite 2202
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4R1K8
Ph:416 410 7484
Fax: 416 222 3757
email: michael@visaplace.com
www.VisaPlace.com

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eertw
New Member



Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 3

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:19 pm

 

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Thanks again!

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Stoken
New Member


Enoying the snow in VT

Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Vermont

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:20 am

 

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That's the tricky part: "Maintaining your ties"

When I got my TN visa at the boarder, the customs agent asked me whether I own a home in Canada, I said I do, but would eventually sell it. She said I HAVE to either own a home in Canada, or prove that I'm contributing to the expenses of a residence in Canada (e.g. my mom's place) to be eligible for my Visa.

I find that kinda tricky. I want to buy a house in the US too, and I can't afford it if I'm still paying a mortgage on my Canadian home on top of paying income taxes as a Canadian property owner. And how could I prove that I'm supporting my mom's home if I pay her in cash?

Does anyone know whether I can sell my place in Canada without losing my TN status? And what's the correct way of handling the boarder agent when I do?

Cheers,
SToken

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1662
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:22 pm

 

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You can be a mass murderer locked up in prison in Tasmania and buy real estate in the US, they don't care where the money comes from or who has title to it with some very limited exceptions. Property ownership and immigration are two separate things.

The real problem on a TN-1 is that it sounds as though you will be crossing frequently and you might have problems explaining to the USCIS that you are not intending to reside permanently in the US.
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Steve.

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