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- Don't pay double taxes your first year in the U.S.!
You can easily avoid this nasty boondoggle by appealing through a tax treaty between the United States and Canada that deals specifically with this situation.
In the U.S., it's called Revenue Procedure 2006-54, Competent Authority; in Canada, it's Information Circular 71-17R5, Guidance on Competent Authority Assistance under Canada's Tax Conventions. Also, you can always amend your US Tax return through the 1040X form. Good luck!
- Changing jobs? Remember to update your TN paperwork...
Everytime you change jobs, you must update your paperwork to reflect your
new position. This is a must ... or you risk getting kicked out of the U.S. for five years! You can update either at the border---or be sure to leave enough lead time
to do it by mail. (check p. 138 of the The NAFTA Handbook for details).
(As of July 2006, the USCIS webpage no longer provided a NAFTA Handbook link.The link above is to a Google Book Search full text version, but you can also obtain the handbook itself through a library.)
- MLS vs. MIS vs. MISt vs. MLIS...
NAFTA mentions the Masters of Library Science degree as a prerequisite for the TN. If you have one of the "newer" degrees, you may want to consider taking to the border a letter from your university's registrar stating that your degree is equivalent to the MLS.
- Read up on American politics and history...
If you will be working in a public library, it's really important to brush up on this. What is the difference between the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Who is the local state senator / congressman? Do you have a strong mayor or not? There's a lot to learn!
- Original diplomas...
Some USCIS agents may ask to see your actual MLS diploma when you're applying for your I-94. Apparently, official transcripts are not necessarily recognized by all agents. Though your mother may have had it nicely framed, get it out from under glass - you may need it! (winterbo@cherokee.nsuok.edu).
- Give yourself extra time at airports...
If you happen to be applying for your I-94 when flying out of an airport, give yourself ample time - I once missed a flight because two out of the three INS agents were busy ... (winterbo@cherokee.nsuok.edu).
- Border Crossings...
-it's often easier to use secondary border crossings (e.g: avoid the high-traffic Peace Bridge / Buffalo or the Rainbow Bridge / Niagara Falls) when applying for or renewing TN status. Whenever you have an option, choose quieter crossings (winterbo@cherokee.nsuok.edu).
-and here's a link to the Canada Border Services Agency Border Wait Times page.
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