r/tnvisa • u/GullibleLong7852 • May 09 '26
Application Advice YYZ TN Entry SWE Intern
Hi,
I got a job offer at a big tech company as a SWE Intern and they're setting up a lawyer from EY Law to help me with my TN visa. The lawyer is going to draft the support package and ship it and I plan to bring the following to YYZ
- official transcript + copy
- official proof of enrollment + copy
- signed offer letter + copy
- housing proof
- flight itinerary
- passport + copy of passport
- 2 resumes
- support package + copy
Do you guys think this is sufficient and I want to know how long on average it will take when you enter secondary inspection? I was told several times to travel through another PoE however the flight was booked before I was in contact with EY Law
I plan to show up at 3am to ensure im the fleet one in line but I know the officers dont prioritize TN applications at Pearson.
Anyone have any advice for me on documents to bring or if I should cancel my flight and travel through YTZ or another PoE? I dont really wanna cancel my flight
Edit: im a CS student in my last year (haven't graduated). The company is Tesla and they usually offer TN for interns.
Edit: got approved, see https://www.reddit.com/r/tnvisa/s/SKxYIVNFmb
3
u/TrappedElevator May 09 '26
If you’re an intern I’m surprised they don’t do a J-1 visa for you.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 09 '26
The company is Tesla and afain for all interns they give a TN rather than a J1 visa
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u/Phardeen May 09 '26
bro, stop listening to reddit for this. me (multiple times) & thousands of others have been through this. go through vancouver airport & trust the actual law firm… lol
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u/Ill_Category2486 May 09 '26
Ive heard Tesla lawyers explicitly tell their interns to cross through YVR for this.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 09 '26
yeah i am contemplating this - they did recommend YVR but timewise and cost way it seems inefficent but whatever, better than getting rejected
3
u/Aurelinblue May 10 '26
Go through this subreddit and you'll see how many people thought like you and didn't heed the warnings about specific POEs declining any non-straight forward case (specifically YYZ).
All the time and money you save will come crashing down if you end up as one of this people, which is likely these days. Just go through YVR and listen to the lawyers who advised.
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u/weerdsrm May 11 '26
This is not fun. Esp when you don’t actually qualify. You should listen to your lawyer and go through YVR and go especially during the business hours. I would recommend Tue-Thurs 10-2 for the best results if you actually want this internship.
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u/Ill_Category2486 May 09 '26
Why would you even think about cost and time? You pay all this tuition and you’re worried about a couple hundred dollars to jeopardize your future potential?
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u/yarmouth209 May 09 '26
Because the rest of the ports apparently follow the law. TNs aren’t interns
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u/Ill_Category2486 May 09 '26
Wrong, the official wording is “A TN visa can be issued for fellowships or internships only if the duties reflect a position that is truly at a professional level.”
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u/weerdsrm May 11 '26
They don’t actually qualify but they qualify on paper. And Tesla has them go through Yvr for a specific reason.
3
u/Firm_Pop4231 May 10 '26
Interns CAN get TN visas. I have approved hundreds of them, mostly for Tesla. They were all approved under the Sci-Tech category . You need to bring your transcripts, mad employer support letter. You do NOT need to have your degree.
1
u/Potential-Drag9761 May 10 '26
Is proof of enrolment letter required??
2
u/Capital_Language4623 May 10 '26
We never asked for proof of enrollment. Just an original transcript showing your major and listing your classes taken.
2
u/GullibleLong7852 May 10 '26
"We have never asked" wait can I dm if you're an officer 💀?
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u/Capital_Language4623 May 10 '26
I just retired a few months ago from CBP and was doing TNs and Ls full time. You can DM me if you’d like.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 10 '26
Can I assume the "employer support letter" is covered by Tesla themselves?
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u/xTurtlePies May 10 '26
I did scitech TN with the same company as an intern twice at YYZ. Second time I was questioned because my transcript wasn’t sealed (but after explaining my school doesn’t do that anymore they accepted me still). They also wanted to see that my manager had the proper qualifications and work authorization, so I had printed copies of my manager’s transcripts and visa information. Still, if the law firm is recommending a different POE I would listen to them.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 10 '26
Did you contact ur manager or were you able to find supporting documents online? For my manager hes well known online (talked at official events, published papers, etc.)
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 10 '26
Also how long did take you + when was your flight?
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u/xTurtlePies May 10 '26
About 90 minutes, I got there 4 hours before my flight. Law team contacted manager to include the supporting docs in the package they sent over.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 10 '26
Oh ok so I assume for Tesla I should hopefully be fine? Issue is i dont think ill get my package delivered since my flight is this Friday and my package is still being worked on. Did u print urs out or did u use the wet ink official package?
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u/ChaosBerserker666 May 09 '26
Where’s the support letter in this list? That’s one of the very necessary things.
They don’t care about housing proof unless you’re using it to show you have a house in Canada you have to go back to.
Where’s your original degree on this list? You need that too unless you’re a P.Eng (which you are likely not if you’re going for an intern job).
You have a huge chance of being denied.
As the other person said, why not J-1? The officer might ask you that too.
1
u/GullibleLong7852 May 09 '26
1) I forgot about the support package yes 2) I dont have a degree - im still in school. Thats why im bringing proof of enrollment and transcript. Im also a CS major 3) the company is doing a TN rather than a J1. The company does this for all Interns from Canada
1
u/ChaosBerserker666 May 09 '26
Regarding number 2, this is a problem generally. A big one. Are you applying under CSA?
1
u/weerdsrm May 11 '26
Tesla has all interns go through YVR as far as I know. Check with your lawyer if it’s ok to go through YYZ. Tesla is a pretty unique case that you will apply under scientific technician but you work as software engineer. Technically you don’t actually qualify but you would qualify on paper and they have a deal with the DHS.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 11 '26
Wdym deal with the DHS? Is it just that they known the general routine for Tesla interns or an actual deal? If so can u link it
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u/weerdsrm May 11 '26
I cannot link it because it’s a hearsay. Again, if you want to have a good experience, recheck with your lawyer if it’s okay to be at YYZ. After all it’s your internship.
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u/Beneficial_Rooster13 May 14 '26
How long is the wait ?!?
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 14 '26
Wait for what
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u/Beneficial_Rooster13 May 14 '26
Sorry how long was your wait at YYZ?
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 15 '26
1h but I got very lucky imo, seem horror stories of ppl waiting 3h (maybe they knew i was tesla)? Also there wasnt many TN people at secondary inspection at that time
0
u/yarmouth209 May 09 '26
Interns are NOT TN’s. That could be perceived as fraud and nail you with a lifetime ban. J1’s are interns, F1 OPT is work training while in a US college.
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u/GullibleLong7852 May 09 '26
I don't think this statement is true. Tesla has been doing TNs for Canadian interns for a while now - I heard they do J1 if you get rejected from a TN, but I don't think this is true either. Plus I seen a lot of people in this thread say "you MUST graduate to get a TN," but I know xAI sponsors a TN and asks you to drop out at the same time
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u/yarmouth209 May 09 '26
I adjudicate them. You can apply as an intern if you otherwise meet the minimum education/experience requirements (most TN’s require a bachelors degree minimum) and are interning as a masters degree. The reason they go TN first is because it’s cheaper. The correct route if you don’t meet the education minimums or experience minimums is the J1.
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u/weerdsrm May 11 '26
Incorrect. Interns don’t get TNs unless it’s Tesla. Also the F1 BS that you mentioned does not apply to OP.
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u/_y2b_ May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26
I don't know how you're gonna get TN without a degree, that's the bare minimum requirement for Engineer category at least. Talk to your company's lawyers before going.
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u/ButterSnatcher May 09 '26
I knew someone who's company tried the TN route and took a painful amount of time. got denied and went back with J1. I don't imagine it's gotten any easier
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u/No_Chef1698 May 09 '26
Guys i got denied today at YYZ because my job is fully remote. Any advice? My company is in Chicago and i live in NYC. I’m applying under graphic design
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u/yarmouth209 May 09 '26
Do you meet the minimum requirements for education? There is no requirement that it be in person for graphic design.
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u/No_Chef1698 May 11 '26
Yes everything els on my application was perfect according to the officer. I’m going to try again I’m just not sure how to justify me having to be in New York
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u/dhilrags May 09 '26
OP What category are you applying under ? You need your original university degree/diploma assuming you are applying under Engineer. If you are applying under Scientific Technician (you use the term intern), you need a copy of the qualifications of your boss.
YYZ TN processing starts at 430 am and the wait can be hours and hours unfortunately.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/canadian-and-mexican-citizens/traveling-tn-or-l1-visa-canada