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Being Canadian, but often working in the US, I need what is called a TN status (often called a TN visa). This TN status is what allows Americans, Canadians and Mexicans to work in Canada and in the US, and needs to be renewed annually.

The TN status is only given to people falling under certain job categories (for me “systems analyst”), with a degree and experience in that discipline. Other documents are required when applying, such as the job offer and salary, the company’s background, usually a letter explaining the contract is for one year and outlining the experience of the person, and a resume.

For Canadians, this TN status application is actually done at the “port of entry”. In other words, it needs to be applied for on the same day as the flight, at the US customs, at the airport (unless of course one is driving across the border). The customs are AFTER security, which also means a boarding pass for the US is required.

As I mentioned before, I started a new job about 2 months ago. Last Monday was my first visit to the US since I started the new job and I needed a new TN visa. This is not my first visa and I know the drill… show up at the airport several hours before the flight and have all ORIGINAL documents in hand along with a COPY of these documents for them to keep.

After waiting for about an hour, the custom officer calls me in the little office and tells me: “You probably have a good idea by now, but we have a problem”. And I’m thinking “that’s not good…”. She goes on “the job description in the offer letter does not match the job description of a systems analyst as defined in the NAFTA act. Sign here to withdraw your TN status application, I will escort you out of the secure area, and come back once you have updated your offer letter.”

Too bad I missed my flight and could not get on another one before the next day. Too bad the officer could not read between the line of my job description and realize that my duties were those of a systems analyst. Too bad she did not think it was ok to let me fly for my 2 day meeting. Too bad that the immigration lawyer my company used did not realize there would be a problem. At least Air Canada was nice about it and let me reschedule my flight at no additional cost.

The next morning, I was back at the airport at 4:30 am with an updated job offer in hand, and I got my TN status without any problems. I’m good for another year.

A few tips for those applying for their TN visa:

• Don’t forget any of the required documentation I mentioned.
• Bring a pay stub. Apparently they care to find out the method of payment.
• If you are in my situation and you were on another TN status before starting a new job/contract, make sure you can prove the end date of the last job and the start date of the new job so they don’t think you may have worked for the new job on the old TN visa.
• Method of payment can usually be a credit card (many places on the web say cash only).
• Don’t trust any immigration lawyer. You can find more info and tips on getting a TN status here. Make sure all the supporting documentation describes job duties as per that NAFTA job description.