Fastest/easiest way to re-enter US in NYC on a TN visa [closed]

I will be heading to NYC to begin a full-time job. I am Canadian and will be flying from Toronto. I booked my travel arrangements a while back but recently heard that my TN visa documentation may not arrive in time before I fly to NYC. Unfortunately my travel arrangements at this point are quite inflexible and I will probably need to commit to flying over on a tourist visa in the worst case scenario.

Once I receive my documentation, what would be the fastest/easiest way to re-enter on the TN visa? Two options I'm considering:

1) Driving to and from Montreal (~6 hours each way) and re-entering via land with a rental car.

2) Booking a round-trip ticket day-of to/from Toronto or Montreal.

Are there any better options and is this allowed from a legal standpoint?

Best Answer

It's certainly allowed to leave the US and re-enter in another status; using the land border or an airport won't change that. Another itinerary to consider is flying to an airport near the Canadian border and then crossing by land to Canada and back. You might find less expensive tickets.

It's not legal to work in the US if you enter as a tourist, however, so you cannot start your job until you've left and re-entered.

(There's another option aside from leaving and re-entering the US, which is applying for an in-country change of nonimmigrant status, but that costs $370 and takes a long time, so going to Canada and back is definitely better.)

One small consideration is preclearance; if you want to actually enter in NYC (that is, have your TN documents evaluated by an officer in New York), you'll have to fly somewhere other than Toronto or Montreal (or any other major Canadian airport).

If you rent a car and drive over the border and back, consider the (probably very small) risk of being refused entry. If that happened, you might be unable to return the car on time.

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Can I reenter the US with TN visa?

The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals, to work in the United States in prearranged business activities for U.S. or foreign employers....Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:Nonimmigrant Visa TypeAppointment Wait TimeAll Other Nonimmigrant Visas-- days2 more rows

How soon can I enter the US on TN visa?

What to Expect at the Port of Entry. Plan to enter the U.S. in TN status no more than 10 days prior to the employment start date indicated in the employer's letter. You will not be admitted if you arrive earlier. Always carry your documents and be prepared to present them to an immigration officer.

What happens if TN visa is denied?

If you have been denied a TN Visa for any reason, don't panic. Some TN Visa denials cannot be overcome, but depending on the reasons behind your denial, there may be options to make corrections, return to the port of entry with the correct documentation, reapply, and still obtain approval of your TN Visa.

Is there a grace period for TN visa?

TN Visa Grace Periods US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has established the following grace periods in limited circumstances for TN Visa holders: 10-Day Grace Period. The 10-day grace period allows you to prepare to depart the US or take other actions to extend, change, or otherwise maintain lawful status.

2 Ways to Renew a TN visa

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