Where to apply for TN Visa

Hello,

I am currently in Chicago and have been so for 3 months on a visitors visa. I have been offered a job as an accountant and I qualify under the TN visa requirements for this. My questions is where can I go to make the application? Do I have to cross back into Canada and then go back to the US to make this application? Or can I drive to a Canadian border crossing? If I did this, do I actually cross or can this all be done on the US side without crossing? Also do I make an appointment or are there hours that this can be done as I know many crossings are 24 hours. Thanks for any help with this!

Jenna

Any Land Border is fine.

Yes, by Law you have to enter Canada before returning to apply.

Why were you in the USA for three months, and then you found a job?

You don't need an appointment. 24/7.

Your employer can also file I-129 for you, since you're already in the US. The fee is $320.

Yes I was here visiting on a visitors visa and then was recently offered a job.

One thing to remember regarding TN i read somewhere is you need to maintain Canadian ties. You simply can not say I wind up in Canada and coming to US on TN.

Detroit only processes Nursing TN-1's 24/7, other categories have to go through during business hours. Port Huron is 24/7.

One thing to remember regarding TN i read somewhere is you need to maintain Canadian ties. You simply can not say I wind up in Canada and coming to US on TN.

It's a bit vague because the regs say the stay must be "temporary" and it's a non-immigrant category so you need to have non-immigrant intent, however it's not clear what ties outside of the US you need, it's up to whoever reviews your application at the POE to make the determination.

If someone already on TN wants to switch job, can new employer apply for tN within the U.S. and can employee keep on working for old employer till his new TN gets approved?

Thanks,

Saikrishna

Yes, the new employer files an I-129, but it's more expensive and complicated than re-entering.

Thank you Steven. Appreciate your input. I asked this as I want to make sure that my TN is approved before I give 2 weeks notice to my current employer just to be safe of the worst case scenario. Thanks again.

Regards,

Saikrishna