TN visa: better to apply through service center or bor

I am currently on H1B visa, but I may get laid off later. I found a new job which only takes TN visa.

I got denied for TN visa 4 years ago because my physics degree doesn’t match the software developer occupation (I got 8 years of work experience). The officer who denied me said that he was going to send me to another border which has officer specializing in TN, he had a quick look at my case and denied me on the above ground.

I will hire a lawyer this time to apply for TN. But they are saying different things. One said I will likely be denied, one said that I will likely be denied at the border and I should file by mail through immigration service center, one said that I will have a very good chance of success at the border that he deals with regularly.

Any one having experience can comment on whether it is better to apply through service center or border?

Thanks.

There is no "software developer" TN category so I'm not sure what you're on about there. You can't enter in a category that doesn't exist. The CBP field manual specifically warns against letting in "programmers" under the "system analyst" category. I have heard of people getting in as a "software engineer" in the engineer category, but you need a degree that says "engineer" on it.

The job category used for filing TN won't be "software developer". It's most likely "computer system analyst".

The role "software developer" in most cases are not purely programmer, lots of activities are system analysis.

The job title "computer system analyst" is not common today. Lots of "software developer" got TN visa, I guess that most people used "computer system analyst" category.

Thanks.

But it must say "systems analyst" or something very close to it on the job offer letter. If it says "software developer" I doubt they'll grant it.

Did anyone apply for TN at Vancouver and WA's border? Any tips? I intend drive to the border applying it before flying to California. I have all documents at hand. If anyone has applied right there, please share experience with me, thanks.

I get the impression going by the comments on here that YVR is the better place to apply.

I also wondered can I obtain TN if I want to fly to US one week earlier before the certain date to start work? Or I must fly on the date the same as job offer letter described? I need to enter US earlier so I can deal with where to live etc. Tks.

There's no specific rule on it but you should be okay with a week.

I appreciate your help and I'd like to simply share my experience here. I told the custom that I need to apply for TN, he got my finderprint record then gave me a form to fill out and wait inside the double office behind him. Another coustom came out to get all documents and ask me to wait. After paid and showed receipt(they prefer credit card),TN is issued.Wow, it's so fast and easy,no interview.Hopefully, my experience would help others.

Sorry for going slightly off topic. I think I read somewhere in this forum suggesting not to apply for the TN too early...say more than 2-3 weeks earlier than the start date. What was the reason for this?