Starting in mid-September 2014, the US Customs and Border Protection agency (“CBP”) began optimizing processing for first-time Canadian TN and L applicants coming under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The stated goal is to provide more efficient processing through designated ports of entry. The CBP has not explained exactly how processing will be optimized (e.g., staffing will be increased, a Free Trade Officer will be designated for processing) and the program is too new to see the results. Standard processing remains possible at any port of entry, but the new optimized processing is only available at:
- Toronto’s Pearson International Airport
- Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport
- Vancouver International airport
- Calgary International Airport
- Vermont’s Highgate Springs Port of Entry
- Vermont’s Derby Line Port of Entry
- NY’s Alexandria Bay Port of Entry
- Buffalo’s Peace Bridge Port of Entry
- Niagara Falls’ Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry
- NY’s Champlain Port of Entry
- Detroit Canada Tunnel Port of Entry
- Detroit Ambassador Bridge Port of Entry
- Washington’s Blaine Peace Arch Port of Entry
- Montana’s Sweetgrass Port of Entry
Alternatively, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (“CIS”) accepts TN and L visa petitions filed via post or courier. Processing times are slower and government filing fees are higher, so this option is generally not very attractive. On the plus side, the consistency in the manner of processing, as well as the ability to process the application and get a decision in advance without arriving at the airport with tickets in hand only to be denied the visa status at the last moment, makes CIS a welcome alternative to consider for more difficult cases.
On the plus side, the consistency in the manner of processing, as well as the ability to
process the application and get a decision in advance without arriving at the
airport with tickets in hand only to be denied the visa status at the last
moment, makes CIS a welcome alternative to consider for more difficult cases.
For more details, contact your Dentons lawyer and see the CBP web site.
