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I was rejected for my TN at the border on my first attempt. The customs agent thought I was working illegally for some reason. I always hated how so much of the

I was rejected for my TN at the border on my first attempt. The customs agent thought I was working illegally for some reason. I always hated how so much of the decision process was based on whether the guy at the border liked you or not. I ended up having to cancel all my flights, hotel and car reservations and spent the whole day talking to lawyers. Tried again a week later, and the customs agent I met this time said I should have been let through the first time. -.- sigh

ojbyrne 14y ago
My first time applying at the border for a TN, I was refused. The lawyer said they always do that first time to make you work harder. The excuse was I didn't have copies of my university degrees (I had transcripts showing the granted degrees). So this has to be a good thing, reducing the power of border agents.
- geoka9 14y ago
  They still can deny entry, can't they? As I understand it, the visa grants you the right to be considered for entry at the border. The final decision is with the border officer.
  - khuey 14y ago
    IIRC, if you already have a visa, you can appeal to an immigration judge at the port of entry. If you don't already have a visa (because it's granted at the border, you're entering via the visa waiver program, etc) there is no right of appeal, and the border officer has the final say.
- potatolicious 14y ago
  > "The excuse was I didn't have copies of my university degrees (I had transcripts showing the granted degrees)." That's not really an excuse, that's a stated requirement. Not all border officers screen so thoroughly, but you should have had the original of your degree. If there's one thing I've learned in dealing with work visas, is to not trust your lawyer. Most immigration lawyers I've seen are, to be polite, less than amazing at their work. Double check, verify everything they do.
  - mahyarm 14y ago
    I got accept the first time, and didn't even have an official degree paper yet, since the ceremony was six months ahead of time. I just had transcripts and a letter from the school that I completed the requirements of my degree. It really is the mood of the officer. I had a really nice newbie mom type for my application.

ojbyrne 14y ago

My first time applying at the border for a TN, I was refused. The lawyer said they always do that first time to make you work harder. The excuse was I didn't have copies of my university degrees (I had transcripts showing the granted degrees). So this has to be a good thing, reducing the power of border agents.

geoka9 14y ago
They still can deny entry, can't they? As I understand it, the visa grants you the right to be considered for entry at the border. The final decision is with the border officer.
- khuey 14y ago
  IIRC, if you already have a visa, you can appeal to an immigration judge at the port of entry. If you don't already have a visa (because it's granted at the border, you're entering via the visa waiver program, etc) there is no right of appeal, and the border officer has the final say.
potatolicious 14y ago
> "The excuse was I didn't have copies of my university degrees (I had transcripts showing the granted degrees)." That's not really an excuse, that's a stated requirement. Not all border officers screen so thoroughly, but you should have had the original of your degree. If there's one thing I've learned in dealing with work visas, is to not trust your lawyer. Most immigration lawyers I've seen are, to be polite, less than amazing at their work. Double check, verify everything they do.
- mahyarm 14y ago
  I got accept the first time, and didn't even have an official degree paper yet, since the ceremony was six months ahead of time. I just had transcripts and a letter from the school that I completed the requirements of my degree. It really is the mood of the officer. I had a really nice newbie mom type for my application.