crossing the border..

Destinystar · Jun 20, 2004

I would not take any chances. Do what you are required to do or you may be denied re-entry. I have had 2 friends denied entry b/c they did not have their Visas in order. Hope you have a nice visit back home :)

hello, im a little nervous about crossing the border without my visa screen. im going back home for about a week before i start a new contract. i have recently heard of a new cut off date for having the visa screen. previously it was noted that if i wanted to go back home to canada, i had to do it before july 24? (26th?) 2004. i know the border people CAN be tempermental at times, so i dont want to get myself into immigration trouble. can anyone provide me with the final word on this visa screen requirement? thx for your time.

beausud · Jun 21, 2004

i should be ok to come back in the US, my TN is valid until next year... just want to make sure im aware of all the new updates on this Visa Screen stuff. thx.

I would not take any chances. Do what you are required to do or you may be denied re-entry. I have had 2 friends denied entry b/c they did not have their Visas in order. Hope you have a nice visit back home :)

infantnurse · Jun 23, 2004

You should be fine going home for a visit...as long as your visa is still good:)

A TN visa is good for one year. So, if my TN visa doesn't expire until Jan of 2005- I should technically be okay without my visa screen certificate until then right?

Does anyone know if I took a new job, and went to renew my TN visa to reflect my new job and it was before the date of July 26th...would I be okay to do so without my visa screen certificate???? I have a great new job opportunity with an interview next Monday. I am wondering if they would give me a new TN visa and then I would just have to renew next July and have my visa screen certificate then.

I have started the paper work and I am awaiting approval from CGFNS to take my NCLEX.

any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Jodi

suzanne4, RN · Jun 23, 2004

You should be fine going home for a visit...as long as your visa is still good:)
A TN visa is good for one year. So, if my TN visa doesn't expire until Jan of 2005- I should technically be okay without my visa screen certificate until then right?
Does anyone know if I took a new job, and went to renew my TN visa to reflect my new job and it was before the date of July 26th...would I be okay to do so without my visa screen certificate???? I have a great new job opportunity with an interview next Monday. I am wondering if they would give me a new TN visa and then I would just have to renew next July and have my visa screen certificate then.
I have started the paper work and I am awaiting approval from CGFNS to take my NCLEX.
any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Jodi

You are pushing it, it usually takes longer than a few weeks to get the change processed, and if it does? Your TN Visa isn't being renewed but a new one issued because you will have a new employer. Also depends on which area of the country that you are being processed in.................

That is why there has been the big rush to get the Visa Screen completed on all of the Canadians with extra days for the CGFNS exam, for those that were taking that to meet the requirements, etc.

My suggestion would be to talk to the immigration lawyer at your hospital or the one that has handled your visa before.

CGFNS isn't the one that gives approval to take NCLEX, that comes from the Board of Nursing in the state where you are working. You have to get a Visa Screen Certificate after you complete your NCLEX exam. This usually takes about four months for you to receive it after you have completed your exam. For even a new TN Visa to be issued in January, you should be much further ahead already with what you need to do. You are going to be cutting things quite close.

brokenheartrn · Jun 23, 2004

HI, I am a Canadian Nurse who lives and works in Michigan. I travel across the border every week with my son to see his father. I have nvere been asked to show my visa screen document. I do have to show my TN Visa ( I-94) and my ID but the only time I have been asked for a Visa Screen Document was when I applied for a new TN recently...and even then because I was renewing before the July 26th date, it was not a requirement.

If you have the document, bring it with you. If you do not apply for one today online at cgfns.org. If it is in the mail, and you plan on being back into the US before the July 26th date, you should be just fine! If not, contact the port of entry and ask for more information, they are very helpful...be honest and ask as many questions as you need to to understand...they won't mislead you.

Good Luck and Safe travels!

suzanne4, RN · Jun 23, 2004

Right now whoever already has a TN Visa will be grandfathered in for one year, those without will need to get one before they can get a TN issued.

This means that you will be able to cross the border without the Visa Screen Certificate until July, 2005. But afterwards, it will be needed............

beausud · Jun 23, 2004

you guys are great! :) thx again for all the info. now i can relax and enjoy a little vacation from work.

mushberry · Jun 29, 2004

Right now whoever already has a TN Visa will be grandfathered in for one year, those without will need to get one before they can get a TN issued.
This means that you will be able to cross the border without the Visa Screen Certificate until July, 2005. But afterwards, it will be needed............

Actually, something I learned when I crossed the border....

I just recently crossed the border in Houlton, Maine, to get my TN Visa. There, they told me that even though I currently hold a TN Visa that is good til June 2005, if I wanted to leave the US after the 26th of July, 2004, my TN Visa would not get me back in without a Visascreen certificate. The TN Visa is not void, but without the certificate it's not enough to get you back into the US, not even to visit.

For anyone planning on crossing the border after the 26th, if you're going to go visit home and get another TN Visa, then do it well in advance of the 26th, or you're probably going to have some issues. If they aren't checking now for the certificate it's because it's not mandatory, but after the 26th it is mandatory so my guess is they'll start asking you for it.

The TN is fine as long as you don't leave the country. But if you leave, then to get back IN you need the certificate after July 26th, 2004.

fergus51 · Jun 30, 2004

Mushberry, what does it actually say on your visa? If it says multiple entry, you should be allowed to leave and reenter. It certainly wouldn't be the first time the border guards were a little wacky.

mushberry · Jun 30, 2004

Mushberry, what does it actually say on your visa? If it says multiple entry, you should be allowed to leave and reenter. It certainly wouldn't be the first time the border guards were a little wacky.

I'm going to copy and paste my other post in the other thread:

Ok, I called US Citizenship and Immigration (http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm). They confirmed what I said above. After that 26th of July, if you possess a TN Visa, but not a Visascreen certificate, then when you try to re-enter, you will not be allowed back in. In fact, the immigration officer I spoke to on the phone said that you can have your TN Visa taken away from you upon your attempt to re-enter the US. As long as you remain in the country, then you are grandfathered in as Suzanne4 said, however, if you leave and try to re-enter, you can't without the Certificate. I just thought I'd clear that up.

If you want to call and verify what I said above, the number I called is: 1-800-375-5283. From here they linked me to an immigration officer who told me the above info.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 30, 2004

I'm going to copy and paste my other post in the other thread:
Ok, I called US Citizenship and Immigration (http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm). They confirmed what I said above. After that 26th of July, if you possess a TN Visa, but not a Visascreen certificate, then when you try to re-enter, you will not be allowed back in. In fact, the immigration officer I spoke to on the phone said that you can have your TN Visa taken away from you upon your attempt to re-enter the US. As long as you remain in the country, then you are grandfathered in as Suzanne4 said, however, if you leave and try to re-enter, you can't without the Certificate. I just thought I'd clear that up.
If you want to call and verify what I said above, the number I called is: 1-800-375-5283. From here they linked me to an immigration officer who told me the above info.

This Visa Screen ruling is in effect after July, 2004. I would not leave the US without it, as you may find difficulites in returning. Any of you that have multiple entry visas, it soesn't matter, as that visa was given to you for work, and any visa due to work, will not work unless it is accompanied the Visa Screen Certificate. That is why there has been such a push all year to get this done, and for those of you that didn't..............in a short phrase, don't leave.