Renewing a TN VISA via an Airport POE

Hey everyone,

Thank god for this forum. I signed up to get some feedback on information I've gathered over the last month to make sure everything is kosher. I'm hoping there are at least a few of you who have gone through this before than can shed some light on my situation.

This is my first year working in the states in a permanent position as a graphic designer. I was granted my first TN Visa as I crossed the border during my relocation. That was last September. I naively didn't look into the renewal / reapply process until about a month ago.

From what I've found, my easiest method would be to apply via mail, however this is where it gets tricky.

I need to travel for work to Europe from Aug 30th, 2010 through to Sept 3rd, 2010. My TN Visa expires on Sept 7th, 2010. If I file by mail it won't be processed in time and I'm worried I'll run into issues upon re-entry given there are only a few days left on the Visa before it expires.

I'll be returning via a flight from Amsterdam > Detroit > Madison Wi.

Can I just reapply for my Visa upon entry at Detroit Airport? Or should I try to take care of this before I leave?

Thanks very much for the help.

Since you are returning to US so close to the time of your TN expiry, the simplest way to renew is not by mail, but simply at airport when you return.

And makse sure you get 3-yr TN at this point so you don't have to go thru this every year.

You don't think they'll give me any trouble for renewing so close to the expiry date?

No. That is when you are supposed to renew.

In the past, I have renewed TNs on the last day the previous TN was valid. For example, I had a TN that expired on May 30, 2009 and that is the day I applied for my next one.

Does anyone know if there is a limit on when a TN can be renewed? We are travelling back to Canada and returning to the US Aug 21, out TN runs out Sept 24. We thought it would be a good time to renew, but is that too soon?

2-4 weeks depending on POE. You are at the limit. ASk, but excpect request to come back closer to expiry date.