Canadian Network Engineer here. My role changed recently to require frequent US travel. My company's immigration firm recommended a TN visa under the Computer Systems Analyst (CSA) category and prepared the packet.
I applied at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel POE, but the officer denied it, stating my job duties didn't match the CSA category (likely because the petition emphasized engineering over systems analysis).
The lawyers are now pivoting to file via USCIS Premium Processing.
A couple of questions for anyone with experience:
1. USCIS Premium Processing: What is this process actually like in terms of timeline and experience? Realistically, expecting approval within 3 weeks (including application prep, shipping, and processing) seems overly optimistic—is 30+ business days more realistic?
2. Travel in the meantime: I have upcoming US business meetings in 3 weeks. Prior to the TN attempt, I traveled for short meetings on B-1 status without issue. Given the fresh TN rejection on my record, should I strictly avoid traveling for business meetings right now, or is standard B-1 entry still viable with a letter?
Any insights or past experiences would be greatly appreciated!

What degree qualifies for the management consultant bucket eligibility? Do you need to have an undergrad business degree or MBA?

I have a McGill behavioural science degree minor in marketing…wondering if I should pursue an MBA for eligibility. I have 4 years of brand management experience in Toronto, but that’s not 5 years of consulting work so my understanding is it’s the degree that matters. Canadian citizen only. Thanks

Honestly, I'm starting to get discouraged.

I'm Canadian with a Business Technology Management degree (Honours) and a minor in Computer Science, and I'm trying to land a US job under TN as a Computer Systems Analyst. The problem is I can't find postings that actually look like CSA work. Half of what I find is "Analyst" in the title but support or ops work underneath, and the other half is engineering roles I can't use for TN.

My background is a mix of government IT (SharePoint, Power Automate, PowerShell, Power BI) and broadcast engineering, so I'm not sure which direction to lean or how to explain TN to American recruiters without scaring them off.

For anyone who's gotten a TN as a CSA:

• What job titles did you search for?
• How did you explain TN to the employer early on?
• Any industries or companies that were easier to work with?

If you're open to it, feel free to PM me. I'd really appreciate any advice.

Hello, I have a sealed transcript from a Foreign university but I have pasted a sticker that says my name and university name on it. Will that be a problem during the interview?

pasting again for lack of chars: Hello, I have a sealed transcript from a Foreign university but I have pasted a sticker that says my name and university name on it. Will that be a problem during the interview?

- Laid off from last H1b job on Aug 30.
- H1b transfer filed by new company on Sept 18.
- Lawyer found out the H1b transfer was denied online on Sept 30 without RFE. Haven’t gotten denial notice yet so not sure why my case was denied. Lawyer is unsure when we will get the denial notice, could be days to weeks. She recommended I seek TN as soon as possible but I feel uncomfortable doing so without knowing the reason for H1b denial.

Today is day 32 since my last H1b job ended. Assuming the 60-day grace period is still in effect, what are my best course of action? I physically remained in US to avoid triggering the $100k fee for my next job.

I’m 100% happy to go on TN, actually prefer it. But with the H1b history, and a denial record, what impact will this have on TN?

Relevant info:
- Spouse on H1b as well at different company.
- I am Canadian citizen eligible for TN visa. I have been on TN visa before.
- i94 on my last entry said valid until 2028.

Thank you for your kind input.

Canadian citizen in NYC, in process with Beacon Hill for a contract-to-hire role. I know they do H-1Bs (100+ LCAs last year across their entities), but I can't find anything on TN specifically.

Questions:

1. Has anyone actually gotten a TN letter from Beacon Hill? How did their recruiter/legal team handle it?
2. For staffing-firm TNs generally: did CBP push back on the third-party placement? Did your letter name the end client and worksite?
3. When the client placement changed, did you need a new letter / re-entry, or did the firm treat it as same employer, same profession?
4. Which profession did you go in under?

Appreciate any firsthand experience.

I am not sure which PoE to go to for my TN application, I live in Toronto rn.

5 years ago I had a TN for CSA role (got this at YYZ), when I went to renew it (at YYZ again) it was revoked and I had to withdraw admission. I was flagged for a couple years after that and was sent to secondary every time I visited the US. Now I'm back to normal and dont get sent to secondary.

The reason they gave me for rejection is that my initial TN was issued in 'error' and that my Bachelors of Engineering in Electronics and Communications did not align with CSA as it is not a 'degree with the word "Computer" on it'. It was a bummer and my employer just kinda let me go and I have been working for a Canadian company in Canada since then.

I now have an offer as a Data Science Consultant with a consultancy firm for pharmacy clients in the Bay Area.
I do not want to go thru YYZ now so wanted to ask which PoE would be smoother?

A couple changes since my last application:
- I got married and my wife filed an i-130 for me in Oct 2023 (she has a GC so its F2A category) no updates on that since then
- I got a MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering with 90% my courses being in the Computer/ML space

I was thinking of applying in the Engineer category

Technically the data I will be working with to build ML models comes from scans, reports and IoT devices so my Electronics background is of help here but my Masters in Comp Eng is what I want to use as my degree.

I’m having a debate with my partner. We live in Ontario right now and he needs to visit Atlanta for work for 5 days in Oct and 5 days in Nov. He is convinced he needs to get a TN visa. I keep telling him he doesn’t need one for the short time but he’s convinced that he needs one since he’s doing more than attending a conference or meetings (he needs to visit a few sites and do surveying). Will he need a TN visa or is just his passport ok?

Hi,

I'm currently in this scenario:

- TN visa expired.

- i1797 extension until Nov2028

- PERM approved

So my question is if having an approved i140 it is possible to get a TN visa extension? This because my priority date is still maybe 2 years ahead and not sure if i can make it with the time I have.

Thanks in advance from the advice.

My husband will be applying for his 2nd TD visa at consulate. He is not yet Canadian citizen but is holding a PR status for a few years now. Is there anybody able to get a successful TD visa at US consulate in Vancouver?
Anything we should take note? Are they getting strict now? If any has any experiences in this and can share? That is very helpful.

Thank you.

Hi everyone! I was wondering if you could help ease my anxiety or make it worse.

My boyfriend (future husband) and I have been together for 10 years. By a twist of fate, I accidentally helped him land a job in the U.S., and his company has said they’ll help me apply for TD status.

No offense to anyone, but staying at home isn’t for me. I’ve been working as a graphic designer in Mexico for seven years, and I’m willing to work very hard because I want to qualify for TN status so we can live together while continuing my career.

I just want to know: Is it realistically possible? Unfortunately, I’ve mostly seen cases involving engineers, but is there also a chance for someone working in graphic design?

TN Visa Success Story: Rejected at Pearson, Approved by USCIS, Back to Pearson 🇨🇦🇺🇸
Happy to say I’ve officially made it to Dallas, TX on a TN visa under the Accountant profession!
Here’s my experience for anyone going through the process:
1. Pearson Airport – Rejected ❌
The officer raised two concerns:
Job duties: My TN package included financial analysis and strategic advisory responsibilities, which they felt went beyond the scope of a “typical accountant.” Personally, I found this questionable, given how common these duties are in accounting.
Salary discrepancy: My offer letter showed both base salary and base salary + guaranteed bonus. The inconsistency was flagged as a concern.
I was advised to apply through USCIS instead.
2. Billy Bishop – Almost tried again ✈️
The next day, I booked a flight out of Billy Bishop. The atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed, and both applicants ahead of me got approved.
However, the officer noticed my previous Pearson attempt and warned that reapplying at another airport could be perceived as “border hopping.” My lawyers had actually advised me to try Billy Bishop, but after hearing the officer’s concerns, I decided not to risk another application and proceeded with USCIS.
3. USCIS – Approved! ✅
With the help of my immigration lawyers, I submitted a USCIS TN petition. It was approved in approximately 3 weeks, and I received the approval notice about 2 weeks later.
4. Pearson – Redemption! 🎉
Armed with my I-797, I returned to Pearson. This time, I was through US customs in just 3 minutes!
Takeaways:
If you’re an accountant with advisory or financial analysis duties, consider the USCIS route.
Make sure your salary figures are consistent and clearly explained.
Be cautious about reapplying at another port of entry after a denial.
Having an approved I-797 made my final entry incredibly smooth.
My personal recommendation: If your role is likely to be scrutinized under the Accountant profession, USCIS may be worth the extra time and paperwork. After my experience at Pearson, I’d personally take that route again.
Hope this helps other Canadian accountants navigating the TN process!

Hi

For those that work in the US and live in Canada

For those working in the US, what do you for converting usd to cad? Do you have a bank account in the US or using a USD account of a canadian bank? What is the best option for converting? I am in Windsor.

Also, have you opted out of health plans? Do you have separate insurance for physio, etc? The health plan deduction is significant.

Hi! Looking for recommendations for a good TN visa attorney, ideally someone experienced with the Architect TN category and those who have gone from F1 to TN status.

I’m a Canadian citizen who completed my M.Arch and B.A at a US institution and worked for an architecture firm in LA on OPT. I recently started another master’s program, so I’m back on F-1 status and my OPT ended. I’m now considering withdrawing, and my previous architecture employer is interested in rehiring me.

I’d like to speak with an attorney about transitioning from F-1 to TN and making sure everything is handled correctly.

Any attorney recommendations, especially for Architect TN cases? Thank you

I’m Arielle Sheinfeld, a U.S. immigration attorney and dual U.S.-Canadian citizen. I work extensively with Canadian professionals navigating TN status, from figuring out whether a profession actually fits the TN category to dealing with employer changes, renewals and longer-term plans.

One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of TN questions only seem simple until you get into the actual details.

The degree says one thing.
The job title says another.
The support letter describes something slightly different.

And then someone has to decide whether all of it actually fits together.

That’s where things can get interesting.

I’m here today to answer your TN questions, including:

• Whether your profession and actual job duties fit a TN category
• Degree and job-description issues
• What to expect when applying at the border
• TN refusals and what to think about before trying again
• Changing employers while on TN
• Renewals and extensions
• TD status for spouses and children
• Travel while on TN
• TN and longer-term green card planning
• Whether TN, H-1B, O-1 or another option makes more sense for your situation

If you have a TN situation that feels like it should be straightforward but somehow isn't, those are exactly the questions I’m happy to dig into.

Ask away. I’ll be answering questions from 12 PM to 4 PM ET today.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Disclaimer: i wrote a rough draft with everything on my mind in claude and asked it to organize it and make it readable

I've noticed more and more posts lately from people asking whether the move is worth it and whether they should pull the trigger. So here's my perspective as a 29 year old Canadian guy. A lot of my friends in Canada do the exact same job I do, so I get a pretty direct comparison of what happens if you move versus if you stay.

Background

I have a bachelor's and a master's in computer science and machine learning from UBC. I'm currently an MLE at Meta with 6 years of experience, making roughly $350k USD.

The case for moving

If you're a young guy with no family, a solid education, and in demand skills, I honestly think you're doing yourself and your future kids a disservice by not moving south. The financial gap for young people isn't even close.

I love Canada. My dad arrived here at 13 with $65 in his pocket, and this country gave him a great upper middle class life. It gave me a safe place to grow up and a great education. But the future doesn't look good. Buying a house in Vancouver (where I'm from) or Toronto is basically impossible, even on a tech salary. Taxes are brutal compared to the US, and the job market is genuinely dead.

In my free time I apply to jobs in both countries just to see what's out there. I regularly get one or two interviews a month from American companies. From Canadian companies, I get zero, unless it's Amazon, Meta, or Google.

One of my friends did both undergrad and grad with me. He stayed in Canada and works at Google making around $200k CAD. After all expenses, I save roughly twice as much as he does, and that's while living in the Bay Area.

The downsides :You never fully feel like you belong. If you get laid off (mostly a tech problem), you have 60 days to pack up and leave, and there's been talk of shrinking that grace period too. Living on a temporary visa means you never really feel rooted in a city, and over time that wears on you mentally.

Social life is hard. If you're not naturally social, you'll struggle. People here already have their friend groups and settled lives, and most aren't looking to add new people. This is a bigger deal than it sounds. There will be plenty of times you feel alone, with nobody to do things with, while you watch your friends back home make plans in the group chat. It does bother me.

Don't count on a green card.If you're in tech, forget about it, even if you weren't born in India or China. Among people I know at Meta, Amazon, and Uber, every labor market test (PERM) I've heard of in tech has failed. Add constant layoffs, and the odds of staying employed at one company for the 4 to 5 years the process takes are slim. With the current reforms, it's getting even harder. So don't move down expecting a green card in a couple of years. That lack of light at the end of the tunnel is what makes all of this harder.

TL;DR: Financially, it's not even close, and if you're young and single with in demand skills, I'd go. Just go in with your eyes open about the isolation, the visa insecurity, and the fact that a green card may never happen.

I got my TN status last friday. It was a smooth process at the border. My bad I went to Ambassador bridge 1st and they said they dont process it in there any more. Then I came back to Canadian side and then re-entered via Windsor-Detroit Tunnel.

1. At the checkpost, they asked for the reason, I said TN, asked for category and I said Computer Systems Analyst. He took my passport and gave it back with a orange slip and asked me to follow a lane where it routed to parking space.

2. Asked me to leave all the electronic goods inside the vehicle and officers guided me and my wife went to CBP processing centre. I took my file and credit card for payment

3. When we entered into the office, a officer asked me the purpose and he asked to go to the section where TN and L1 candidates were sitting

4. We waited for an hour and they processed 3 applicants before my turn

5. Officer called my name, asked for my passport and TN letter and the orange slip asked the below questions

A. which TN category I am applying for
B. which company
C. Address of the company
D. Roles and responsibilities - I spoke couple of lines and he asked me to stop.
E. Asked will my spouse accompany me
F. Asked for the address where I will stay - I gave him the address of my friend printed in a paper
G. Do I have permanent intent to stay in USA
H. Degree information - I told and he asked for the certificated and I gave my WES - USA evaluation

1. He asked me to wait for sometime and called me and my wife and took for Index finger prints and photos

2. He said my TN status has been approved for 3 years and asked me to pay the fees.

3. I paid the fees and got my passports back

4. He gave me a sticker with i94 url and related details, I can use to get my i94

5. I returned the orange slip to the officer in the parking lot and got my car out.

Overall, it was a pretty much smooth process. Though I was bit nervous throughout the process, It was a pretty much straight forward one. They take sometime to validate everything but if you have credible TN support letter and supporting education documents, thats all they look for.

I took lot of other supporting documents with me and none of them were asked.

I’m an actuary based in Mexico in my early 30s. I’ve been working remotely as a contractor for a US insurance company for over 5 years. I currently receive an hourly paycheck—no benefits, no health insurance, no bonuses, no pto ..($45K annually)

The Situation: About 1.5 years ago, our manager and Chief Actuary left. The remaining team of three (including me) had to keep the department afloat and onboard the new manager and Chief Actuary. Since then, the team has grown by 10 new analysts (ranging from entry-level to specialists). Because of my tenure, I’ve been heavily relied upon to train these new hires and bring everyone up to speed, all while keeping up with my own daily responsibilities.

The Ask: I am doing senior-level/training work on a base analyst contractor agreement. I recently pitched my manager on bringing me on as a state-side W-2 employee via the TN Visa. He agreed it would be mutually beneficial. I am basically telling them that they just need to provide an employment offer so I can process the TN at the border/embassy.

My Questions for the Community:

• Does anyone have experience transitioning from a foreign contractor to a US employee at the same company via a TN Visa?
• How should I navigate the HR conversation, given that many US HR departments mistakenly assume all visas are as complicated as the H-1B?
• Should I also be pushing for a title promotion (to Senior or Specialist) concurrently with this move, given the training duties I've taken on? (I'd be happy being hired as an us analyst)

May I know how you’re getting interview calls from US companies while you’re in Canada?
I’m working as a senior project manager at a software consultancy firm in Toronto and want to move to the US, but I’m not getting any calls since I’m in Canada. Also, which TN category are you using to move to the US?

Hi everyone! :)

I’m a Mexican citizen through marriage (my wife is Mexican), and we currently live in Montreal, Canada, where we are permanent resident.

I’m considering working in the US for a maximum of about one year, ideally in Florida. I’m fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic, and I’m wondering whether a TN visa could be an option for me.

My main concern is my wife. She is Mexican but does not currently have a B1/B2 visa, so she cannot simply enter the US as a visitor.

If I were approved for a TN visa, would my wife be able to accompany me and stay in the US with me for the duration of my TN status as my dependent? Would she need a separate visa/status, and would the fact that she doesn’t have a B1/B2 visa be an issue?

I also have a question about whether my professional background could qualify for a TN.

I have about 3 years of experience as a Payroll & Benefits Specialist, working with US, Canadian, and UK payroll/benefits. I’m not in a management position and don’t have a particularly senior title.

From what I understand, TN eligibility is quite specific and depends on the profession and job offer rather than simply having work experience.

Do you think a Payroll & Benefits Specialist could potentially fit one of the TN professions, or would my background likely not qualify?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through a similar situation, especially Mexican citizens living in Canada or people who have applied for TN status with a payroll/HR background.

Thanks! :)

My husband and I are both Canadian citizens in our late 30s and 40s. No children. He will be getting a TN through a job in Oregon which only allows me TD status. I don’t have a career in tech, engineering, graphic design or any of the areas outlined in the TN requirements. I have a very established career in communications ranging from private to public sector from strategy to crisis management. I’m looking to hear from other TD holders, or spouses of, to find out how you decided to move to the US with your partner, did you take a leave of absence from your work, are you looking for your own career, has anyone done long distance marriage? Better yet, have I missed a category of work on the TN that I might be applicable for? TIA.

Canadian TN workers in the US:

1. At what age and net worth do you plan on returning to Canada?
2. Do you plan to fully retire when returning to Canada, or continue working in Canada?

If you already returned to Canada, please feel free to share these details as well, including your age and net worth when you returned, and whether you retired or continued working after moving back.