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  4. Traveling On a TN or L1 Visa From Canada?

Traveling on a TN or L1 Visa from Canada?

In September 2014, U.S. Customs and Border Protection designated ports of entry (POEs) for optimized processing of first-time Canadian applicants for admission in the TN or L-1 categories. Designating POEs for optimized processing ensures a more efficient approach to processing the high volume of TN and L1 applicants.

Fourteen total ports (below) are designated, to include 4 preclearance locations. 

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.

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.

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.

Last Modified: May 30, 2024