TN Visa at YYZ
Dec 9, 2008 | 11:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Toronto
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1
TN Visa at YYZ
Couple of questions:
1. If you are denied the TN Visa application at YYZ, can you still catch your flight to the US?
2. I don't plan to apply for a TN visa, so on the blue US declaration form, should I check off the purpose of trip is "Business" and reason is "Internal Meetings". Will customs give me problems?
Thanks!
1. If you are denied the TN Visa application at YYZ, can you still catch your flight to the US?
2. I don't plan to apply for a TN visa, so on the blue US declaration form, should I check off the purpose of trip is "Business" and reason is "Internal Meetings". Will customs give me problems?
Thanks!
Dec 9, 2008 | 11:44 am
#2
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 8,573
1. Probably not, but maybe. You'd have to convince the agent you were going to the US for something else other than what you'd applied for a TN for. Hard to do but maybe not impossible (close to impossible, though?).
2. Maybe, if they consider "internal meetings" to be working in the US (vs., say, "sales call").
Are you expecting them to reject your B-1 (business visitor) claim and make you get a TN? You probably won't have the documentation for the latter in that case. You won't get a TN on a verbal declaration (which is possible on B-1, e.g. "I'm going to make a sales call".).
=aw
2. Maybe, if they consider "internal meetings" to be working in the US (vs., say, "sales call").
Are you expecting them to reject your B-1 (business visitor) claim and make you get a TN? You probably won't have the documentation for the latter in that case. You won't get a TN on a verbal declaration (which is possible on B-1, e.g. "I'm going to make a sales call".).
=aw
Dec 9, 2008 | 12:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 4,354
A TN requires precise, strict-to-the-letter no-nonsense documentation. Pearson DHS has a very strict "enforcement" mindset. They'll write a big DHS on your boarding pass in magic marker at the slightest belief that your TN application is not in order. They can summarily ban you for five years -- no appeal -- if they think you are misleading them.
It's not something to fool around with. I'd hire a Buffalo based TN specialist, and apply at the Peace Bridge.
It's not something to fool around with. I'd hire a Buffalo based TN specialist, and apply at the Peace Bridge.
Dec 9, 2008 | 12:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,131
I have friends that were denied TN Visa at YYZ and they cannot board the flights.
Remember to bring original documents to support your case (i.e. original university diploma, etc). My friends were turned down b/c they didn't bring original. Notarized copy are not OK.
Remember to bring original documents to support your case (i.e. original university diploma, etc). My friends were turned down b/c they didn't bring original. Notarized copy are not OK.
Dec 9, 2008 | 12:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 908
Scary but true
A TN requires precise, strict-to-the-letter no-nonsense documentation. Pearson DHS has a very strict "enforcement" mindset. They'll write a big DHS on your boarding pass in magic marker at the slightest belief that your TN application is not in order. They can summarily ban you for five years -- no appeal -- if they think you are misleading them.
It's not something to fool around with. I'd hire a Buffalo based TN specialist, and apply at the Peace Bridge.
It's not something to fool around with. I'd hire a Buffalo based TN specialist, and apply at the Peace Bridge.
Dec 9, 2008 | 2:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: HKG
Programs: AC*SE, CX DM, HH DM, Marriott PLT, SPG PLT, PC PL
Posts: 933
When I took a job in the US, the day before my flight I drove to Niagara falls to get my TN. I was turned down the first time (fingerprinted) and sent back home. I revised my paperwork, went a second time (the same day) and was told I needed one small change in my documentation and was assured that once I fixed that small thing I would be able to get my visa OK.
So I took the chance and I had no problems getting my TN at Pearson. But I am very glad I took the time to sort out the problems ahead of time.
So I took the chance and I had no problems getting my TN at Pearson. But I am very glad I took the time to sort out the problems ahead of time.
Dec 9, 2008 | 4:05 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,998
When I took a job in the US, the day before my flight I drove to Niagara falls to get my TN. I was turned down the first time (fingerprinted) and sent back home. I revised my paperwork, went a second time (the same day) and was told I needed one small change in my documentation and was assured that once I fixed that small thing I would be able to get my visa OK.
So I took the chance and I had no problems getting my TN at Pearson. But I am very glad I took the time to sort out the problems ahead of time.
So I took the chance and I had no problems getting my TN at Pearson. But I am very glad I took the time to sort out the problems ahead of time.
I was once denied entry to the US because I didn't have the correct contract documentation. When I returned the following week with the documents, the original denial was a non-issue. Even when I applied for INSPass and NEXUS, I note the denial on the application. But even then it was considered unimportant as I was honest with them originally.
Dec 9, 2008 | 8:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC-SE MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 300
By Internal Meeting, do you mean with US Parent or home office? If so, just keep a copy if the home office letterhead and your Canadian business card handy. They have been pretty picky in Toronto.
That said......TN Visa applications and renewals here in YHZ are smoooooth.
Dec 10, 2008 | 12:02 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan & Starwood & Marriott
Posts: 49
I'm so glad I don't have to deal with the US Immigration at Pearson anymore. I am a CA working as an accountant and they were such as pain in the @ss to deal with.
Overall I returned to Canada 14 times, and missed my return flight 4 times, due to secondary questioning
After 2 years of living in the US (with a TN) it's nice to be back in Canada (except for the snow)
Overall I returned to Canada 14 times, and missed my return flight 4 times, due to secondary questioning
After 2 years of living in the US (with a TN) it's nice to be back in Canada (except for the snow)
Dec 10, 2008 | 12:52 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: cyyz
Programs: ac ELITE,aa,nwa, Priority Club
Posts: 375
Try driving through Emerson, MB/Pembina ND sometime if you want a hassle with any type of visa. The fellow that pulled me over (pre 9/11) absolutely was not going to let me in one time when a co-worker beside us working on a computer and unrelated to the questioning said "hey wait a minute he does have this.." after getting a sheet that stated you needed all of the above points to enter the US (around a dozen), thankfully an old pay stub opened the golden gates. My visa was technically "live" but had moved back to Canada and was going to visit my father in MSP. Original inspector thought I was moving back to the US to work indefinitely with one change of clothes.
Feb 6, 2009 | 8:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Air: Air Canada Altitude Super Elite 100K Million Mile, Hotel: Starwood Platinum Lifetime
Posts: 66
Try to not get denied for a Visa. I always have a copy of my resume and a confirmation of employment letter just in case. I have had over 10 visas in the last 12 years (management consultant) and have never been denied.
One of my colleagues was denied after a problem with an intro letter. He now has his TN yet still gets pulled over about every second crossing for an additional interview with customs due to the denied TN visa.
One of my colleagues was denied after a problem with an intro letter. He now has his TN yet still gets pulled over about every second crossing for an additional interview with customs due to the denied TN visa.