r/tnvisa

Hi r/tnvisa. I'm Henry Lindpere, immigration attorney at Manifest Law.

TN consular approval rates have dropped sharply and POE denials are up, especially where job titles and degrees don't align cleanly. The USMCA review this year is also adding uncertainty about what comes next. And with today's layoffs, some TN holders are also trying to figure out what happens to their status if their job disappears.

If you have questions about your application, a denial, POE vs USCIS, or what a layoff means for your TN, ask me. I'll answer as directly as I can.

(All 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.)

Hi everyone,

I’m about to become a Canadian citizen next month, and my citizenship ceremony is coming up in about 10 days. Since my profession falls under the TN visa category (IT-related field), I’ve been considering exploring opportunities in the U.S.

I’ve been applying for jobs in Canada for the past few months, but the market seems very difficult right now, and I’m not hearing back much from recruiters. I saw there are many openings in US, Because of that, I’m wondering whether it makes sense to start focusing more on U.S. opportunities once I receive citizenship.

For those who have gone through the TN route:

- Is this a good time to look for jobs in the U.S.?

- How has your experience been with recruiters and employers?

- Any advice for someone considering this move?

Would appreciate any guidance or experiences. Thanks!

Hi Guyz,

Among Lewiston vs Rainbow vs Peace bridge which border is best / friendlier for initial TN entry, and which one would be the worst option?

Secondly, would it be fine if my employment start date is of 3 weeks away?

Background: Financial Controller, Accountant Category, having CPA Ontario.

Thanks

First TN was for a Quality Assurance Engineer job at a startup medical device and research company. I worked with a lawyer and applied under the Scientific Technician/Technologist category. My supervisor had undergrad and graduate degrees in engineering.

Second TN was recent and for a Quality Engineer role at a mid-size life sciences/clinical research company. Based on my past experience and research, I was confident in writing my own support letter without hiring an immigration attorney. I applied under the Biologist category.

Both jobs were 6 figures and remote. I graduated in 2022 in Biology.

My expertise is in QA/QE, FDA compliance, ISO 13485, post-market surveillance, auditing, continuous improvement, etc. Prior to TN, I worked in Pharma and medical device for 3 years on STEM OPT.

None of this is legal advice. Simply answering questions based from my experience only. When I was doing research online, I saw minimal threads and experiences for my field.

Got offered an engineering role, and I have an engineering degree. I wrote the TN support letter myself and sent it to the company for signature. Went to the border (land POE), got a few questions about the job and the company. I didn’t have my original parchment, so I printed a copy and showed the officer other proof too, like emails confirming that I graduated. And that was basically it. Got the TN approved, did a U-turn at the border, came back into Canada, packed my stuff, and headed back to the border a week later.

hello all,

I am a Canadian here on my second TN. my TN expires mid jun this year. I court married my long time gf(US born) earlier this year and applied for work permit and GC through a lawyer already. I have only yet received the letters saying that they have received my information and are processing it. I know forsure I don’t get my GC soon but I was hoping I would have my work permit before my TN expires.

my question is, what do I do if there are no changes on my application and my TN expires? do I go back to Canada?

thank you for all your help. this is stressful!

I have got my I-797A approval with I-94 attached to it a few months ago. My lawyer said that was the end of the process with no further action needed.

I am crossing the border this weekend for the first time since then, and I am wondering what I am to expect on the border, what documents I need to have with me? And if the CBP is going to stamp the TN vis on my passport.

Hi, like title suggested. Wonder if someone may give some advices if I should switch to H1B or not.

The advantage to my understanding is that, H1B is dual intent and I can apply for immigration, which I also plan to. But I am also worried once I switched to H1B, and I didn’t get PERM approved, and I will have to switch back to TN, I will have a problem since I was on dual intent visa.

Do anyone has any experience or advice?

Thanks

I was denied entry to the US last week, due to having had a visitor visa refusal from before. I became a Canadian citizen in Feb 2026 and had a US visitor visa application from 2024 with no updates or decision. I went to the US in early April 2026 with no issues then got an email on April 29th that I was found ineligible for a visa under 212(f) as I was born in Iran ( Female). I did not think this would cause an issue and drove to the US border to go see some friends but got denied entry and detained and returned to Canada. They told me I needed to apply for a visa to come to the US. I assume this will create issues for the TN process? I have accepted a job offer in the US and the company’s legal team is preparing my package.

I am moving to Colarado required to use company vehicle for work purposes they are telling me about getting license there. Wanted to know anyone moved from Alberta to Colarado successfull transferred licenses or do we have to do road test to get to get one. Also if we are tranfering can i keep my Alberta one.?

Hi all,

I’m a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. for ~5 years and moving back to Canada permanently in July.

I have a fairly large taxable brokerage account at Schwab holding mostly U.S.-listed ETFs/index funds. I spoke with Schwab today and they advised that once I become a Canadian resident, I’ll have to close the account / transfer the assets out.

I’m trying to figure out the best next step, especially because I was hoping to preserve the Canadian “step-up” in adjusted cost basis when I re-establish Canadian tax residency.

For those who have gone through this:
- Which broker did you transfer to?
- Did you do an in-kind transfer after moving to Canada?
- is it possible to stick with Schwab and not report my new address?

I'm resigning from a job in one state and will be starting a new job in a different state next month. Not worried about getting the TN, but curious if CBSA might take issue with my US registered vehicle.

My plan is to drive up to Canada and leave my dog with friends while I drive back to US (NY state) to get a new TN. I plan to do this in my AZ registered vehicle. I will of course register the vehicle in NY when I establish residency there. I'm wondering if there is any risk CBSA might have an issue with this? I can show them the job offer and TN package from law firm if I need to convince them that the vehicle will not be staying in Canada.

Anyone have experience with a similar sequence of moves? I have driven back and forth several times while on TN and actively employed, but never between jobs before. Only one time has CBSA asked how long the vehicle will be in Canada. The other times they didn't ask anything about it.

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I was wondering if anybody had success getting a TN Visa with a related degree?

I currently have an Anthropology degree with a minor in Psychology. I was able to use my degree to get a job in Alberta, Canada as my degree is considered a social science. This wording seems to be similar on many social work related jobs in the US. I’d be looking for work that aligns with the definition of social work in the OOH. Upon reviewing multiple law firm websites the category of social work under the TN Visa just states a

Not sure if it’s relevant but I have 5.5 years direct social work experience and another 4.5 years working with vulnerable persons. Have read that 3 years of experience might help if you have a non-matching degree?

Wondering if this is possible or if I’m cursed to hunting only for a research assistant job to apply

My i797A said engineer category. The agent asked what I do for the company I work for, I told them I am a software engineer. He asked few other questions like how long I was working for them etc etc. Entire process took 5 mins and I got the stamp on my passport.

Later I realized the category is not Engineer, but it’s written as Soft Eng on my TN stamp. Is this something I should be worried about ?

Hi everyone,
I am currently in USA on H4 visa with my husband(he is on H1). I am a Canadian citizen & I am currently not working as I do not have work authorization in US under H4 currently. But I plan to look for the work after few months & work on TN visa here.

We are in a process of buying a house in USA now & I would be the co-owner on the home title.
I was wondering if owning a house in USA would create any issues at the port of entry for TN visa?

Pls advise.

My Canadian passport is up for renewal in 2029 (my TN extends beyond this). What is the process for renewing on a TN? Do I have to contact CBP and tell them the new number? I got my first TN when they were still doing stamps. Will it be a problem if my new passport doesn't have one? I don't live near a Canadian border so I was considering filing for renewal from the US... help!

Hi just wanted to share my story. Don’t really see a lot of dentists on here so hope it can help a bit. Arrived at YVR about 10am for my flight at 3pm. In my packet I had:

- TN support letter

- degree, transcript, degree verification

- pocket license and official license

- paystubs from the last three months

I had originals and copies of everything as well. I did not have a lawyer who was representing me. I arrived at the customs security area and informed them I was applying for my TN. The officer asked me for what job and I said dentist. He took me to a back room and told me to take a seat. Waited a few mins and was called to the desk and handed over all my documents. He took the letter, the copies of my degree and license, and quickly looked at the rest and handed everything else back to me. I had to fill out some info regarding my contact info. I sat back down for about 5 mins while he wrote some stuff down. He called me back to pay $50 for the visa and that was it. I had a few questions and after that I was released with a stamp on my passport. All in all the process took about 15 mins.

Hi,
I just got H1B in this year’s lottery, i am on TN currently, anyone changed employer with just the h1b approval? Does changing company before October makes the current lottery invalid which means i need to apply again in lottery next year?
As per AI: i can go to a new company on TN and they can file for H1B based on the approval which starts on october 1st.
Anyone did something similar in the past? Does moving with just approval without activation work?

Hi, I just received a job offer for a start up in the US. I’d like to understand my chances of getting a TN visa approved from your experience. Thank you!

Citizenship: Canadian born (East Asian)

Job Title (on application): Management Consultant

Job Title (in reality): International Expansion Director

Company: consumer goods start up, 300M arr

Degree: Bachelor of Commerce from a Canadian uni

Experience: 6 years of experience as a brand manager for a large consumer goods company

PoE: willing to travel to easiest PoE

Terms: contract, 3 years

Scope of work: advising the company on how to expand from US to Canada and UK, where I have experience working and expanding US brands through my previous work.

Thank you very much, appreciate any thoughts.