The Job Offer from South of the Border

So there you were, in Canada, just being a Canadian citizen looking for work, when after soul searching as well as job searching, BAM! a U.S. job offer lands in your Inbox. SUPER! It's a great offer and for a position you just know you are going to love.

Get ready for some extra stuff to do before you can legally work in the U.S.

First and foremost, you need to have an offer letter that has a few specific elements to it:

1. This letter must be on original letterhead with original signature of Employer.
   
2. The Date
   
3. The Position (exactly one of the TN-1 Professions listed here)
4. The salary and wage/pay period
   
5. The start* and end date of of work**
6. Statement of duties to coincide with The Position.
   

*(Sources suggest that the application date for TN-1 status must be within 2 weeks of the start date)
** (TN-1 Status is tied to an employer and is valid for up to 3 years at which time it may be renewed -- before the date is up)

Next, you will need documentation to prove that you meet the professional requirements. In my case, I collected

1. Resume
2. Original Post-Secondary transcripts
3. Original Diplomas and Degrees
4. Confirmation Letters of Employment
5. Letters of Reference

Your passport MUST be valid for as long as the working period, so if your passport expires next year and you anticipate working in the U.S. longer than that, you'd be prudent to renew.

So then what?

Well, your TN-1 status processing will take place in person at a Port of Entry. You can drive, but do check to see what airports process TN-1s Upon Arrival. My application was processed in under 20 minutes at the Minneapolis International Airport. Sources indicate that the process may take up to an hour, depending on your paperwork preparation and any questions they ask (again, depends on the individuals doing the processing, but if your paperwork is in order, it should go smoothly)

Oh, and don't forget the processing fee: $50 USDs!!

... and the little piece of paper they staple to a page in your passport? That's your I-94 which tracks your movement in and out of the U.S. Don't lose it. You will also need it when you apply for your Social Security Number... more about that in a future post.

Overall, I was way more stressed out about going through the TN-1 process than I needed to be. There were some good resources on the web, but still, it all seems overwhelming when everything you need is not at your fingertips.

So if you are thinking about TN-1-ing, prepare: Gather your life papers together in one spot today.

More resources:
(good detail, but may be dated somewhat)
(lawyer site, but some good detail)
(succinct and maybe recent)
(for good measure and with some info every Canadian should have)