Beginning in mid-September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is optimizing processing for first-time Canadian TN and L applicants seeking entry into the United States under NAFTA. CBP has designated ports of entry that will ensure a more efficient approach to processing the high volume of TN and L applicants.
| Q: | What are TN and L nonimmigrant classifications? |
| A: | The TN nonimmigrant classification permits qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level. The L-1 nonimmigrant classification – Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager – enables a U.S. employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company that does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to the U.S. with the purpose of establishing one. |
| Q: | How can Canadian citizens obtain TN and L-1 classifications? |
| A: | Canadian citizens can continue to apply for TN and L classifications at U.S. ports of entry or U.S. preclearance facilities with the required documentation. |
| Q: | I am a first time TN and L-1 applicant – am I required to go to a designated port of entry? |
| A: | No, you may continue to go to any port of entry along the Canadian border for processing; however, we encourage you to go to one of the designated ports of entry where you will receive optimized processing. |
| Q: | Which ports of entry are designated for optimized processing? |
| A: | Fourteen total ports are designated, to include 4 preclearance locations. |
Ports of Entry Designated for Optimized Processing
Canada Locations |
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| Lester B. Pearson International AirportP.O. Box 115
Toronto AMF Toronto, Ontario L5P 1A2 Hours of Operation: 4:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Daily |
| Trudeau International Airport975 Romeo Vachon Boulevard, North
Room TT 2.400 Dorval, Quebec H4Y 1H1 Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays |
| Vancouver International AirportInternational Terminal – Level 3
3161 Grant McConachie Way Richmond, British Columbia V7B 0A4 Hours of Operation: 4:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Daily |
| Calgary International AirportP.O. Box 155
2000 Airport Road, Northeast Calgary, Alberta T2E 6W5 Hours of Operation: 4:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Daily |
Vermont Locations |
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| Highgate Springs Port of EntryInterstate 89 at the Border
Highgate Springs, VT 05460 Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday |
| Derby Line Port of EntryInterstate 91
Derby Line, VT 05830 Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday |
New York Locations |
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| Alexandria Bay Port of Entry46735 Interstate 81
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 |
| Peace Bridge Port of EntryOne Peace Bridge Plaza
Buffalo, NY 14213 |
| Rainbow Bridge Port of EntryOne Rainbow Bridge
Niagara Falls, NY 14330 |
| Champlain Port of Entry237 West Service Road
Champlain, NY 12919 Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday |
Michigan Locations |
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| Detroit Canada Tunnel Port of Entry150 E. Jefferson
Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Detroit Ambassador Bridge Port of Entry3033 Porter Street
Detroit, MI 48216 Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday |
Washington Locations |
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| Blaine Peace Arch Port of Entry123 Second Street
Blaine, WA 98230 Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday |
Montana Locations |
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| Sweetgrass Port of Entry39825 Interstate 15
Sweetgrass, MT 59484 Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday |
The U.S. Immigration Law Blog by Ashwin Sharma 