Worried about TN visa.

I am 24 years old; I have a 2 year certificate in Art/Design. I worked 4 years or so as an Artist, I have recently been approached by a game company in the USA for an Art Producer position.

They wish for me to apply under TN visa under the graphic design category. I do have quite a few other friends who are working at Lucas arts to Pixar under such visas they all got hassled a little bit at the border but then were allowed. The studio in the USA is quite adament and believe everything should go smoothly said they have done this before. Job offer is tempting it is in Texas for about 90k US and bonuses bit harder to get those kind of contracts in Canada so I would like to go forward with it if I qualify.

I guess I feel bit trepidation with the economy I heard they are more willing to deny people because of all the job losses.

I guess my question comes down to, this is a good opportunity for me but I feel a little bit doubt if my qualifications will make it. I need to make a decision by this Friday; I would be leaving from the Calgary Airport. ( Not leaving this Friday, just need to inform the studio of my intentions)

Would bringing an Art Portfolio, refrences from established members in the industry benefit me? or is bringing too much just going to cause more additional problems?

thanks!

All you need is your letter of offer of employment from the company sponsoring the visa, and a copy of your degree that shows you're qualified for the job. If you want to bring your portfolio, I don't see how it can hurt. If you have no degree, you'd need to prove experience in the job, and at age 24, you seem quite young to have enough years under your belt.

There's a website called TN Visa Expert, they have all kinds of tips and info over there that may help.

I guess I feel bit trepidation with the economy I heard they are more willing to deny people because of all the job losses.

Not for TN-1, it's harder for an employer to complete labour certification now because they have to show they can't find anyone locally. Obviously with the layoffs that is harder to show. However TN-1 doesn't require labour certification so it doesn't matter.

I would be leaving from the Calgary Airport.

Calgary appear to be fairly laid back about it from what people have said on here, so bring your qualifications, job letter and so on and keep your fingers crossed. I have to say my personal experience is that CBP are laid back about other things I have dealt with, I think it's because they actually live in Calgary so they're aware Canadians aren't all terrorist marijuana users. In fact I think most of them are dual citizens anyway.

The flip side of this is that sometimes they make mistakes that can cause you problems, as I found out at Sweetgrass a few weeks ago and it took ages for them to sort out the mess CBP at Calgary had caused me.

Check to make sure they've stamped your passport and issued your I-94 correctly before you walk off.

Have a read of: http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.go ... ssions.asp

It does specifically say post-secondary diploma and at least three years experience, both of which you have so it sounds to me as though you're good to go. $90k isn't bad for a 24-year-old!

I'd say go for it!! Hell I'd go for it. You meet the qualifications for a TN and you're young. You may regret it if you don't.