TN Visa

Hi,

My fiance has a three year Bachelors of Psychology from a major university in Ontario. She works as a Rehab Therapist for Brain Injured people providing counseling, life coaching, etc. I was wondering if we could get her into the US on a TN Visa if she were to have a job offer as a vocational counselor? The american border immigration office said she would need a copy of her job offer and degree etc but didnt say anything about a resume or job experience. She has been in the field for 10 years and provides the same support as a voactional counselor but is not titled as one currently. Any thoughts/input appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim

Since Vocational Counselor is listed as one of the Occupational job titles under NAFTA, I would think that she would be fine with a job offer in that area. You only need a BA and it doesn't specify the coursework necessary for the position. The title I believe that her employment letter would indicate that she has the appropriate experience for the job. Bringing a resume to the border couldn't hurt, either, but I don't think that it is necessary. Theoretically, she could get a job right out of school with that visa; it doesn't even mention the need for a license. If you want to make entirely sure about this, though, you could always call one of the Ports of Entry (I spoke to one the other day and asked to speak to someone expert in TN-1 status).

Thank you. I know she wouldnt need a license. When you called did they put you in touch with a TN expert? If so, how did it go?

I asked to speak to a TN expert. I decided to call a POE, because the 800 number is useless if you get someone ignorant about the TN policies. Last time I called, I was given wrong information given by some guy reading off a book--though you could and I have, gotten the same from some employees at the border who know nothing about TNs. The guy who answered the phone at this POE said he could answer my questions. He was brusque (maybe there was a line in front of him or he was in a bad mood), but helpful.

So, let me see if I understand this correctly.

In order to receive a TN visa, we need to give the immigration officer the letter of job offer from the prospective employer, right?

That we can just walk into the immigration office at the border and receive the TN visa within 10 - 15 minutes of arrival?

Is it actually a visa stamped in the passport or just some document?

10-15 minutes sounds like a dream! I would plan on tacking on 2 hours just to give yourself a cushion, though for me, the border has always been faster than the airport. It totally depends on who is at the border, though; I have had a busload of people waiting to be processed..and that was at 2:30 a.m. Normally, though, you are dealing with cars vs planefuls of passengers. Also, it depends on who is looking at your letter-it is so individual. Best results have been during the day when officers are knowledgeable about TN and can decipher your letter properly. I had one guy actually say that he took a few basic courses in my field (2 or 3 degree levels below mine) and he "just knew" that I was missing a few sentences, so he told me to fix it and I had to turn around and come back. I added a few extraneous things and then I was yelled at by the same guy who NOW said that my letter was a copy (I realize now it has to be an original) but that didn't seem to matter to other officials). Thank goodness, I had Hilton points...I stayed at a Hampton for two extra nights getting the documentation straight for this guy who really was trying to poke holes in a letter that really couldn't be expanded all that much. I also missed my plane. Thank goodness for South West Airlines, not charging me for changing a reservation. Not taking a chance the next time round, I phoned the POE Monday, spoke to a senior guy who was relaxed, knowledgeable about TNS, had no point to prove, and said "come on over...get a FAX from your work and barring any glaring problems, I will let you in, no problem". He chuckled when I arrived and alluded to the fact that a lot of officials on weekends have no clue about the TN. All I could say is that guy was a sweetheart and am grateful to him, as I actually made the next plane to the US. I would make the letter solid (look at sample TNs and what they are looking for), bring all supporting docs (transcripts, diplomas, etc) and you will have a better leg to stand on. At the border, the official will type up an I-94 for you with "Multiple Entry" stamped on it, the expiry date (a yr to 3 yrs from the date your TN is issued) vs the I-94 that you write yourself. They will then write the name of your facility in your passport with the date, staple it into the passport, which they will then stamp. Hope that helps!