TN Visa when you're already in the states

Hey guys, I've got a question for ya that I haven't found a satisfactory answer for.

Here's the situation. I came down to Raleigh on a J1 visa to work for the summer. Worked hard, had a lot of fun, made some friends, and decided I wanted to stay. So I stuck around for a month after my job ended to look for work, went home before the one month grace period was up, and came back as a visitor. So now I'm back down here in the states looking for work. Except that's not really how you're supposed to do it, is it. I'm not supposed to be in the states looking for work at all. Oops.

The question is, when I get a job offer, drive back to Canada and return to the border to get my Visa, how do I deal with the fact that I was visiting in the states when I got the job? I mean, not telling them I was looking for work down here is obvious, but they're gonna put two and two together.

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

Tell the truth and you will be ok. Frankly most friendly Ports don't care about what you did and its innocuous. They don't like unauthorized employment. When you apply for the TN go to a friendly port of entry and see the Free Trade Officer. Anyone interested in the good ones feel free to email me.

Good luck.

yes, this kind of questioning does not usually come up.

Remember, you came down to visit. That was your intent as you explained.

You've most likely read it on other posts, but it can never be said enough -- answer the officers questions directly. Do not elaborate unless asked - be concise with your answers.

Again, you'll be fine.

You may want to consider obtaining the TN Visa Expert Application Kit, it provides step by step instructions on creating your employer letter, sample letters, border interview preparation, questions asked. You will also have a list of border port of entrys and stats on TN applications for those ports.

Good luck!

They're not going to put anything together, you will be talking to a CBSA officer on the way back, not a US official.

It's good to know that this isn't going to be the huge problem I thought it might be.

Thanks for all your replies. This site has been extremely helpful.