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TN visa at "any" port of entry?

Hey there, I'm really new to this (it's my first job in the US) and I'm going on a TN visa. My letter is being revised by a US immigration lawyer as I write this, and hopefully he'll approve of it. I'...

Canadian Expatriate and Travellers Forum Index -> Canadians in the USA -> US Visas and Immigration

Where should I apply for the TN visa?

Pearson airport, Toronto.... before traveling.

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Kalamazoo, MI.... my port of entry, where I'll be working.

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Windsor/Detroit ground gate.... my alternative port of entry.

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Total Votes : 2

Author Message

The_Knight
New Member

Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 6

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:23 pm

Hey there, I'm really new to this (it's my first job in the US) and I'm going on a TN visa. My letter is being revised by a US immigration lawyer as I write this, and hopefully he'll approve of it. I've read over here some contradicting information regarding the site of application and I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

On the official US borders website, it says Canadians should ask for their TN visa (aka TN status) at the port of entry, whereas I read here that many are having theirs stamped at Pearson airport, Toronto. I'm also leaving through Pearson. Should I do that (get the TN visa from Pearson) as well?

I was planning on doing it in Kalamazoo Airport (Michigan), where I'll be working. It sounded like my "port of entry" to me. Is that not a good decision?

I'm going to be staying for 2-3 days in Toronto before going to Kalamazoo, MI. Should I apply for the TN visa while there? How long will it take? Will it be easier than Pearson?

I'm also considering taking a cab from Windsor through Detroit. Is it easier to get the TN visa through the Windsor/Detroit ground gate?

Thanks.

ashley_n_h
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 30
Location: Seattle

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:39 am

Whereever you go through US customs is your port of entry. You'll apply for the TN visa there. If you're flying through Pearson then it will most likely be there.

CalGreenCard
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 65

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:13 am

ashley_n_h wrote: Whereever you go through US customs is your port of entry. You'll apply for the TN visa there. If you're flying through Pearson then it will most likely be there.

Actually it is where you go through US immigration that you get the TN. In a few cases this may be different from where you go through US customs. For example, if you take the Victoria Clipper from Victoria, BC to Seattle, WA, then you clear US immigration in Victoria and US customs in Seattle--so you would get the TN in Victoria.

You have to be making an entry to the US--however brief--to get the TN. So you can't just go to Pearson and get it stamped--it has to be done in conjunction with boarding (and hence buying a ticket for) a US bound flight. AFAIK if you are flying from Pearson to Kalamazoo you would always get the TN at Pearson--but you have to actually board the aircraft the day you get your TN stamped.

The_Knight
New Member

Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 6

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:34 pm

Well CalGreenCard, you're saying "it (the TN stamp) has to be done in conjunction with boarding (and hence buying a ticket for) a US bound flight". What if I've already bought my e-tickets online? Do I get the TN at Pearson, or at Kalamazoo?

Can I choose? As in traveling from Toronto sans TN, and getting the TN in Kalamazoo? How tough is it at Pearson regarding TNs?

ashley_n_h
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 30
Location: Seattle

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:18 pm

He means that in order to get through immigration at an airport, you have to have your boarding pass, meaning that you have to actually be flying out that day. You can't just go to the airport and get a TN and leave. You have to fly out of the airport.

You can't choose where you get it. You'll get it when you go through Immigration. If you've ever flown into the US before then you know that when you go through, you'll meet with an immigration officer and tell them where you're going and why. At that point you say "I am applying for TN status" and they'll take care of it then. If you're flying from Pearson into the US then you'll go through immigration there and get your TN. I highly doubt that Kalamazoo even has an immigration office.

The_Knight
New Member

Joined: 30 Sep 2008
Posts: 6

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:30 pm

I see. Thanks. Looks like I'll have to head to Pearson early before my flight. Is there some sort of "airport preference" when it comes to TN visas? I imagine many people come through Toronto, and so the rate of rejection should be high.

CalGreenCard
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 65

Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 4:04 pm

The_Knight wrote: Well CalGreenCard, you're saying "it (the TN stamp) has to be done in conjunction with boarding (and hence buying a ticket for) a US bound flight". What if I've already bought my e-tickets online? Do I get the TN at Pearson, or at Kalamazoo?

Can I choose? As in traveling from Toronto sans TN, and getting the TN in Kalamazoo? How tough is it at Pearson regarding TNs?

Having an e-ticket won't be a problem as you will already have a physical boarding pass in hand by the time you see a US official. The US official will probably want to see your boarding pass along with everything else in your application package. No, there is never a choice. The usual procedure, at the larger Canadian airports, is that you clear both US customs and US immigration at the Canadian airport. I'm pretty sure all terminals at Pearson work that way. There may be smaller Canadian airports where procedures differ.

You check in with the airline and get your boarding pass. The airline tags your luggage but doesn't physically take it and directs you to the US immigration area, just like any other passenger. When you get to see the immigration agent, you tell them you wish to enter in TN status. They will usually ask a few initial questions and then direct you to the secondary screening room where the detailed processing takes place. If approved, you get your passport back with the I-94/TN stamp attached. You then continue on through US customs, security, and board your flight. Barring a health emergency, it is not possible to leave the immigration/customs/security area once you start.

It is NOT possible to tell the US immigration agent at Pearson that you want to just board your flight and do the TN processing at the US airport--even if the US airport is equipped to do TN's. You have to do your TN processing at the same US immigration facility all other travellers use for the mode of transport you are using.

I think Pearson has a middling reputation as a POE for TN's--easier than some, harder than others. I think if you have a solid application Pearson is fine but it might not be the best place for a borderline case.

ashley_n_h
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 30
Location: Seattle

Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:49 am

make sure you give yourself LOTS of time. Like 3 - 4 hours. I got my TN in Pearson and I was waiting for about an hour and a half (i've heard thats actually good compared to others). Once you get to an officer it's usually only about 10 -15 minutes if everything goes smoothly.