TN Visa and SSN Questions

Hi,

I'm planning a move to the states next month and have several questions about the TN Visa and SSN process. I have my letter from my employer, my contract starts Sept 1, but the letter is dated July 5th. I'm planning to go to the border in Buffalo on July 5th to get the TN Visa, but I'll be working in New England.

1) Assuming all goes well on the 5th, where/when can I apply for the SSN? Is there a waiting period? Can I apply in New York State even though I'll be working in New Hampshire?

2) What can I expect in terms of an interview? The HR contact at my new employer didn't sound to concerned and has never had anyone have problems getting the TN, but I'm wondering if I'll have problems proving ties to Canada? I have lived with my parents while finishing school, they still have a Canadian address but I have no property in Canada, a few bank accounts which I plan to close after my move

3) I've been reading that it can be tricky to go from the TN Visa to a Greencard, partly because of timing issues if you have a Greencard application in while trying to renew the TN Visa. It this still a concern with the 3 year TN Visa? My new employer seems willing to help me go through the Greencard process, so when should I start the application? Is there a waiting period? Do I have to go through the H1B after all, or can I go directly for a Greencard from the TN?

Thanks in advance!
Aggie

First, there might be a problem with if the officer asks when you are starting and you correctly answer 9/1. You should be closer to starting.

1. You should wait at least 10 days before going to the SSA office (any office will do). Your TN needs to be in the system before you ask SSA to look for it. You will get your SSN about 2-3 wekks after you ask for it.

2. There will be no interview. They will review your TN letter and your degree. They may ask you "what are you going to be doing", and, as I said above "when will you start".

3. Go to the immigration.com forum on TN, which has all the info you need on TN to GC without going thru H1.

Thanks AGN, that helps!

The reason I'm going so early is because of the SSN and closing dates on the house I purchased: I need the SSN to get mortgage, car lease, and my employment record settled at the employer; I also need time to get settled in, so we picked a date that was close enough to the date to not waste too much TN time, but that gave me enough time to get down there and get settled. Will that be an adequate answer, or do I need to re-think? My house closing date is July 25th, so I have about 2-3 weeks to finish up the mortgage paperwork.

On the other hand, although my official start date is Sept 1, given that I'm in education, there is prep work, paperwork associated with teaching in the new semester, but I'm not sure if that matters given the official start date on my letter.

Thanks again!

I understand why you need SSN. However, if you have a start date on your letter of Sept 1, you will not be granted TN until mid-August, and will not get SSN until October 1.

The idea of saving TN time was ill-conceived. If your TN is granted July 1, it will expire June 30th, regardless of what your letter says. Besides, TN are renewable.

I would have school rewrite the letter to start now. In any event you will not get SSN by then.

Thanks AGN, I understand that I can get the SSN after I get my TN status, it's just a matter of waiting for processing, etc.

I've contacted the school to see if they'll rewrite the letter, or at least state that I need to be in the area by August 1 for prep work, office setup, etc. The person I spoke with at the border said they CAN issue it July 5th for Sept 1 but probably won't. If I explain that I will be working on teaching-related stuff during August (although not officially teaching until Sept), would that make a better case? Otherwise, I technically can't do any lecture prep until I get my TN status, right?

I also thought the TN was automatically issued for 3 years, with 1 year, then "saving" time doesn't matter.

Thanks!

You can prep in canada.

I never said the a TN was 1 year. I simply said that the expiry date would be 1 calendar day before the date they handed you the TN: for a 3-year TN issued 7/1/11, it would be 6/30/14, even if the official start date was sept 1, or Aug1, or July 15.