Designated entry ports to handle first-time Canadian TN and L-1 applicants

Starting in mid-September, Canadians applying for TN and L-1 status for the first time may receive faster processing at designated ports of entry set up by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Fourteen ports of entry, including four pre-clearance stations along the Canadian border, have been designated to handle the large volume of TN and L-1 applicants. Applicants are not required to process at these locations, but CBP is steering them to those posts for purposes of streamlining processing.

Trade NAFTA (TN) visas are available to Canadian and Mexican citizens in eligible professions in medical, scientific, teaching and other fields under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canadian citizens may apply for admission by a CBP officer at a port of entry. L-1 intracompany visas allow a U.S. employer to transfer a manager, executive or specialized-knowledge employee from an overseas affiliate to a U.S. branch or to establish a U.S. branch.

The pre-clearance inspection locations and designated ports of entry for first-time TN and L-1 applicants are:

BAL Analysis: While first-time Canadian TN and L-1 applicants may process at any port of entry, CBP is promising “optimized” processing at the 14 designated ports. We hope that, along with greater efficiency, optimization will mean the stationing of officers trained in TN and L-1 adjudication.

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