Moving to USA

Greetings,

I have a few questions that I'm sure most of you have heard before - but any help would be greatly appreciated!

A little background:
I am an electrical engineer who recently took an offer from a company located in Ohio, currently I am living in Toronto ON. I am qualified for a TN-1 visa and the paperwork has been sent to me, keep in mind this has all happened in the last 4 days or so, so by no means am I slacking.

My first day on the job is one week from Monday and I was wondering if anyone could give me some quick easy answers on the following:

1) Is it possible for me to go and get my TN-1 approved prior to my start date? I could easily travel to Buffalo and get it done there, however when I go down for work I plan on going through the Windsor - Detroit border.

2) Will I be able to take my car across if I am going down to live and work in Ohio? From some research it seems that I would legally be able to drive it for 30 days or so before I would have to get EPA tests as well as a letter from the manufacturer which would verify that it complies with state law. It's a 2002 Canadian manufactured Honda Civic if that helps (doubtful lol).

3) In my previous experience, proof of funds has been necessary for some moves, will this be the case if I have a job lined up?

4) I have a place to stay with friends/family until I can get a place of my own (just not enough time right now), will this be an issue? Will I need to provide anyone with an address?

5) With regards to my stuff, is it a big hassle to get it across the border? Would it be a better idea to get an international moving company to move it for me? I was considering renting a U-Haul but it seems the paperwork may be extensive.

6) Are there are guides or books that I could find at say a chapters or similar bookstore to help out with this?

I have a little more than 9 days to get this straightened out, any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Cheers!

Greetings,

1) Is it possible for me to go and get my TN-1 approved prior to my start date? I could easily travel to Buffalo and get it done there, however when I go down for work I plan on going through the Windsor - Detroit border.

Just do your TN when you get to the Detroit border. You can get it approved prior to your start date, yes, but why bother?

2) Will I be able to take my car across if I am going down to live and work in Ohio? From some research it seems that I would legally be able to drive it for 30 days or so before I would have to get EPA tests as well as a letter from the manufacturer which would verify that it complies with state law. It's a 2002 Canadian manufactured Honda Civic if that helps (doubtful lol).

No idea.

3) In my previous experience, proof of funds has been necessary for some moves, will this be the case if I have a job lined up?

No they don't ask for proof of anything. All they want to see if a job offer letter, your degree, etc. You are a professional. It's not like you can't support yourself.

4) I have a place to stay with friends/family until I can get a place of my own (just not enough time right now), will this be an issue? Will I need to provide anyone with an address?

Provide them with the address you will be staying at. When I got my TN, they just asked if I knew my address and if so, write it down. They'll have your work address so they can track you down. It's always best to have an address to provide though.

5) With regards to my stuff, is it a big hassle to get it across the border? Would it be a better idea to get an international moving company to move it for me? I was considering renting a U-Haul but it seems the paperwork may be extensive.

I believe all you need is a copy of your TN to get your stuff across the border. Any moving company would require this before even taking you on if they're going across borders.

6) Are there are guides or books that I could find at say a chapters or similar bookstore to help out with this?

You know, this forum is great for answers. I was freaked out about the whole TN process but it was very smooth. Just make sure your job offer letter states that your employment will be as an engineer, it is temporary, you will be returning to Canada when the year is up. Never say you intend to immigrate. The TN has a non-immigrant intent behind it.

I have a little more than 9 days to get this straightened out, any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Cheers!

Thanks for the reply!

The info def helps, anyone know about the vehicle situation though?

Through browsing this forum it appears that I'd be ok to keep my license and plates as Ontario, but I would only be allowed to drive it for a year in Ohio.

Can anyone confirm this or perhaps elaborate a little bit?

Thanks.

You need to formally import it if you're going to be there more than a year. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_ ... ng_car.xml

There is no duty as the vehicle is a personal effect.