sodaones wrote:The first few years I was under one company, but since moved to a company that I am on the board of directors of, and which is an S Corp in California.
Your paperwork wasn't in order - you can't do this, it's prohibited.
If you exert any sort of control over the sponsor or it's not arm's length then the application is not considered valid. Doesn't matter how complex the structure is, boils down to that factor alone. Had this thread on here several times, this is what it says in the CBP manual:
As with the CFTA, admission as a TN under section 214(e) of the INA does not imply that the citizen of Canada or Mexico would otherwise qualify as a professional under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) or section 203(b)(3) of the INA. Note too that Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in the U.S. in which the professional will be self-employed. Section D of Annex 1603 is limited to the entry of a citizen of a Party country seeking to render professional-level services for an entity in another Party country.
Self-employment also clearly conflicts with the intent of the NAFTA Implementation Act and its accompanying Statement of Administrative Action, which states, at page 178, “Section D of Annex 1603 does not authorize a professional to establish a business or practice in the U.S. in which the professional will be self-employed.” In this regard, Section B of Annex 1603, which deals with “traders and investors,” establishes the appropriate category of temporary entry for a citizen of a Party country seeking to develop and direct investment operations in another Party country. Canadian or Mexican citizens seeking to engage in self-employment in trade or investment activities in the U.S., therefore, must seek classification under section 101(a)(15)(E) of the INA.
Although the issue of self-employment was never specifically addressed under the regulations promulgated by the INS pursuant to the CFTA Implementation Act, the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which the professional will be self-employed is consistent with the intent of the U.S. and Canada in entering into the CFTA. Since entry into NAFTA was not intended to substantively change the treatment of professionals, this explicit bar merely clarifies existing law.
Note that the bar on establishment of a business or practice in which the Canadian or Mexican citizen will be self-employed is in no way intended to preclude a Canadian or Mexican citizen who is self-employed abroad from seeking entry to the U.S. pursuant to a pre-arranged agreement with an enterprise owned by a person or entity other than him/herself located in the U.S. On the other hand, a Canadian or Mexican citizen is precluded from entering this country in TN classification for the purpose of rendering pre-arranged services for a U.S. corporation or entity of which he or she is the sole or controlling shareholder or owner or over which he or she holds de facto control.
Like it says, what you should do is apply for an E visa, probably E-2 from the sounds of it.
This requires a "substantial investment", which usually means at least $50,000, financial statements, business plan and so forth, it can help to use a consultant experienced in applying for them as the paperwork requirements are substantial. E is the most complex non-immigrant category and it actually requires a visa which means a consular appointment to get it.
http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/evisa.asp
