How to arrive under TN Visa (NAFTA)???

[farrelli]

Man, finding info about this is hard. Supposedly a lot of people do it but the CIC website seems pretty silent about it.

Anyway, assuming that I get a job offer (computer analyst), how does this all go? I just casually show up at the border one day with my passport, job offer and diploma and ask for a TN visa? Do I have to do this, go home, and then arrange to move all of my belongings? Or do I just plan the move, send my stuff to my final destination, pass through the border while getting my TN and then get my stuff out of customs on the other side? If that's the case, that would make me really nervous because at that point I would have no home to return to.

Thanks.

 

[rjessome]

Man, finding info about this is hard. Supposedly a lot of people do it but the CIC website seems pretty silent about it.

Anyway, assuming that I get a job offer (computer analyst), how does this all go? I just casually show up at the border one day with my passport, job offer and diploma and ask for a TN visa? Do I have to do this, go home, and then arrange to move all of my belongings? Or do I just plan the move, send my stuff to my final destination, pass through the border while getting my TN and then get my stuff out of customs on the other side? If that's the case, that would make me really nervous because at that point I would have no home to return to.

Thanks.

You might want to read through the Foreign Worker Manual and see what it says about TN visas. I haven't done any so can't comment but I know there is information about it in this Manual. It's big so check the Table of Contents for the relevant pages.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/fw01-eng.pdf

 

[farrelli]

Thanks. I already read it but it's not useful in a practical sense. What I'm looking for is some real life experience from someone whose done it. I can see that I qualify, but it doesn't really specify how much, how long, if you just pack up your things and assume that you'll get in, stuff like that. For the number of people who apparently go the TN visa route, the CIC really has nothing about how this all really works.

Thanks.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Thanks. I already read it but it's not useful in a practical sense. What I'm looking for is some real life experience from someone whose done it. I can see that I qualify, but it doesn't really specify how much, how long, if you just pack up your things and assume that you'll get in, stuff like that. For the number of people who apparently go the TN visa route, the CIC really has nothing about how this all really works.

Thanks.

1. You need the job offer. It is unlikely that a computer analyst would get a TN visa under NAFTA, the employer would probably have to go the approved LMO route.

 

[farrelli]

PMM, why would you think that? The agreement clearly applies to "computer analysts". It is one of the approved areas which don't need an LMO. My research shows that lots of people use this category all the time, in fact, I work with a guy who went the other way (Canada to US) under this category and he said it's a cinch. I've even asked three immigration lawyers (who would be happy to do it for me for a minimum of $1.5K) and they said I'd be virtually guaranteed an in so long as I worked with the employer so that the job description as much as possible resembled the description of analyst which the CIC gives.

Unfortunately, my friend who went the other way can't give a real account of what would apply to me seeing that he did move in the opposite direction. The fundamental rules are the same but US immigration is harder - for example, if they even suspect that you want to stay they may reject you while Canada understands "dual intent" of being temporary but working toward PR. I just wish that I could find someone whose gone in my direction. The web is crammed with accounts and advice of people moving south under TN, but not north.

 

[PMM]

Hi

PMM, why would you think that? The agreement clearly applies to "computer analysts". It is one of the approved areas which don't need an LMO. My research shows that lots of people use this category all the time, in fact, I work with a guy who went the other way (Canada to US) under this category and he said it's a cinch. I've even asked three immigration lawyers (who would be happy to do it for me for a minimum of $1.5K) and they said I'd be virtually guaranteed an in so long as I worked with the employer so that the job description as much as possible resembled the description of analyst which the CIC gives.

Unfortunately, my friend who went the other way can't give a real account of what would apply to me seeing that he did move in the opposite direction. The fundamental rules are the same but US immigration is harder - for example, if they even suspect that you want to stay they may reject you while Canada understands "dual intent" of being temporary but working toward PR. I just wish that I could find someone whose gone in my direction. The web is crammed with accounts and advice of people moving south under TN, but not north.

Because Computer Analyst falls within NOC 2171 and these days CIC/CHC has been insisting on LMO. As long as the job doesn't involve hands on work or coding, you may get lucky. Here is what the NOC says about Analysts

The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

* Information systems business analysts and consultants confer with clients to identify and document requirements, conduct business and technical studies, design, develop, integrate and implement information systems business solutions, and provide advice on information systems strategy, policy, management, security and service delivery.

Before I would show up at a POE with the job offer, I think that I would apply through one of the Canadian offices in the US. May save time and disappointment at the border.

 

[aerogurl87]

I applied for a LMO exempt work visa under NAFTA, so I hope this will help you.

I'm from the US and had been working for the company I work for currently for 3 years. I applied as an intracompany transfer to another branch up in Canada. All I did was send in all my documents that the website asked for, except for the LMO. I included a letter explaining why I didn't have an LMO, why I thought I should be exempt from having one, and proof to back up such claims along with a letter from my current employer. I had no problems getting my visa approved by the Canadian Consulate here in the US. With that said, I agree with PMM. You should probably try to get approved by a Canadian office in the US before just showing up at the border and applying, unless of course you live within reasonable driving distance of the border maybe.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I applied for a LMO exempt work visa under NAFTA, so I hope this will help you.

I'm from the US and had been working for the company I work for currently for 3 years. I applied as an intracompany transfer to another branch up in Canada. All I did was send in all my documents that the website asked for, except for the LMO. I included a letter explaining why I didn't have an LMO, why I thought I should be exempt from having one, and proof to back up such claims along with a letter from my current employer. I had no problems getting my visa approved by the Canadian Consulate here in the US. With that said, I agree with PMM. You should probably try to get approved by a Canadian office in the US before just showing up at the border and applying, unless of course you live within reasonable driving distance of the border maybe.

Horse of different colour. Intra-Company transfers don't require LMOs if they are in the A, B or O level of the NOC under NAFTA, GATS, etc. The OP isn't working for the company already. Note for Intra, you need to already be working for the company in a foreign country.

 

[dshaps]

I have a question on this topic as well? I have an MIS degree and will be looking for a job as a business analyst. From what PMM posted it looks as if this is classified as a subcategory of the computer systems analyst category. What would be the process for getting your career approved for a TN visa by CIC?