What needs to be in my offer letter to get 3 years TN ?

Last year, I went to the border office and I only got one year TN visa.

The officer said something about you need to request for 3 years TN visa in the offer letter blah blah..

So, I am asking my HR to draft another offer letter this year. What exactly should the offer letter say regarding the 3 years thing ?

Another thing is, the last two times I went to border office Niagra Falls for my TN visa. It is fairly smooth experience. But, I want to do it this time on the airport just to save the trip.
Are officers in the airport more "strict" because all I got is a one page offer letter. There is no legal paper prepared by the lawyers or anything...as I work in a very small firm (less than 10 people)

Thanks a lot

The letter should say, "we expect to employ mr Kodreeming for a period not exceeding 3 years"

My TN letter was 8 typed lines and had no problem. It's not a dissertation.

There's something I don't seem to quite understand. Isn't the offer letter supposed to be addressed to the employee? I ask this question because I'm currently in the process of renewing my visa as well. My employer is filing an I-129, and from what we both gather, he doesn't need to submit an Employer/Application letter like we did with my first TN that I got a year ago. Can anyone shed light on this.

Niki

The offer letter is addressed to the employee. And, in rare cases, the offer letter contains all that is needed for TN. But the offer letter in no way has to meet TN criteria -- that is not its purpose.

Therefore, it is always best for the employer to prepare a separate letter specifically to get TN at the border: a TN letter. This letter would be addressed generically to USCIS/CBP or "to whom it may concern", not to the employee. It would also mention the the TN category being sought, as well as briefly outlining the duties of that position, as well as a time period of employement -- none of which would be needed on an offer sheet.

-- Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:03 am --

... and yes, there shoudl be such letter in your I-129 application.

page 17 of the I-129 instructions say whether this is an extension of status or a change of status, both need to be accompanied by a letter

Thank you. You've been very helpful.

Nikki