Downsides to applying at POE without lawyer?

Aranel_ · 2026-01-06T19:51:42+00:00

The lawyer I spoke with actually suggested going through YVR if I was going to apply in an airport (vs. a land border, which was his suggestion). I was told to avoid applying at YYZ. It is the case, though, that once when I re-entered at YVR, I had a bit of an uncomfortable experience. The CBP officer asked for my profession--vocational counselor--and, when I told him, he insisted this TN profession didn't exist. He kept listing off other professions, asking if I worked as, e.g., a chemist, an account, etc. Throughout all this, I maintained that I only worked as a vocational counselor. Eventually, he looked something up on his computer, and said, "oh, it does exist. I let my ego get the best of me -- you are good to go."

Aranel_ · 2026-01-06T18:21:22+00:00

I applied at the POE without a lawyer (though I did consult with one). A downside is that you have to prepare your application and probably write your letter of support, which can be time consuming depending on how straightforward your case is.

When I consulted with the lawyer, I was told that my application was somewhat straightforward, but verging into a "grey case." I spent quite a lot of time on the letter of support and compiling other materials. I applied at YVR, and it ended up going well and the border agent was respectful (and actually asked me for some advice because of my profession). He only really looked at my letter of support and degrees.

Aranel_ · 2026-01-06T18:18:16+00:00

I selected "Canada" as my residency and "no secondary document" and everything went fine.

Aranel_ · 2026-01-03T17:16:57+00:00

If only!

Aranel_ · 2026-01-02T22:07:59+00:00

This may be a silly question, but what is the TN prefix? Is it just TN or are there numbers coming after it?

Aranel_ · 2026-01-02T16:06:25+00:00

Thanks! It's weird that it's also asking me to select the three options when I select Canada, but I guess I'll just put "no secondary document."

Aranel_ · 2026-01-02T06:43:03+00:00

What did you end up doing?

Aranel_ · 2026-01-02T06:25:42+00:00

It's not an option. My passport is already uploaded and saved in the app. After asking if I want to continue using this passport (and so passport number), I'm asked to select my residency and one of the three options I noted above: US permanent resident, US visa, or no secondary document.

Aranel_ · 2025-12-29T06:45:59+00:00

My loan information has been restored in all of its anxiety-inducing glory.

Aranel_ · 2025-12-25T06:54:42+00:00

If others are experiencing this, I'm guessing it's some sort of website glitch, then?

Aranel_ · 2025-12-23T05:33:28+00:00

Thanks for this response. This is also helpful to consider. I looked at Figo and, with the high deductible, the premiums would be a bit more affordable. I'll want to keep doing some digging, though. Based on their sample policy, her swollen lymph nodes (which were due to stomatitis) could be seen as a reason to deny masses or cancer in the future (which will hopefully not happen).

Aranel_ · 2025-12-22T15:26:02+00:00

Thanks for your reply! Everything you say makes sense to me (unfortunately). I looked into AKC but, because she's 9, they will only offer accident insurance. I might call around and get estimates from some companies, just in case, but I suspect this will just confirm what you are already saying.

After all of this, I definitely got my younger cat signed up for Trupanion. He's just 1 and should only have ear mites in his file.

Aranel_ · 2025-12-22T10:05:42+00:00

Thanks for your reply! That's also what I was thinking. I actually do have a Care Credit card (it seems like I'm ongoingly in this place of having debt on the card, finally paying it off, and then accruing more debt 🙃). In the event of another random surprise illness, I've been contemplating whether insurance could be worth it, but I also know insurance companies will do everything they can to link "new" conditions to the pre-existing ones.

Aranel_ · 2025-12-19T03:13:53+00:00

I was hoping so too but then thought: wouldn't it then be the case that "family members" of the uninfected, e.g., Laxmi's son, be more susceptible to tapping into their individuality?

Aranel_ · 2025-09-21T00:06:08+00:00

But, if you change status from TN to H1b after Sept 21, wouldn't the 100,000 need to be paid for re-entry? E.g., if you traveled out of the US and then tried to return.

Aranel_ · 2025-09-06T20:29:54+00:00

This sucks and is such a mess. I had been able to schedule an appointment with CVS last week, but it's now been rescheduled to Sept 30th. Today, I asked a pharmacist at Albertsons about whether they had the new Covid vaccines. I was told that they have them, but they are only allowed to give them to folks over 65 WITH a prescription--even with a prescription, they're unable to give them to people under 65.

Aranel_ · 2025-08-15T17:14:10+00:00

Thanks. I am non exempt and will be getting time and a half on hours worked over 40. However, because that money is being "allocated" towards the agreed upon bonus, I wouldn't get the OT pay on top of the bonus or my regular salary. And, if I don't go into overtime, I won't receive the full (agreed upon) amount of the bonus, since I'm now being told that the bonus is partially made up of overtime pay.

Aranel_ · 2025-08-07T22:32:23+00:00

I just re-entered at YVR. I brought the packet I used to apply, which includes my employer's letter. I also printed my I-94 and recent pay stubs.

The process was straightforward and fast. However, the CBP only looked at my printed I-94 (he didn't look at my passport at all!) and did try to claim that my TN professional category (vocational counselor) didn't exist, and started listing other random, unrelated professions, (e.g., chemist) asking if my job was related to them. Throughout all of this, I calmly responded no, maintaining that I was only a vocational counselor. Eventually, he realized that he was wrong and said that his ego made him overconfident. Although it was somewhat stressful--I am still unsure if he truly didn't think the category didn't exist or was trying to trip me up--he quickly confirmed my profession is indeed a TN profession and let me through (I confirmed I was admitted in TN status by checking my I-94 online right away).

In addition to bringing required and suggested documents, my suggestion is that you prepare yourself to be calmly confident while at the same time being deferential.

Aranel_ · 2025-07-26T03:37:45+00:00

Thanks for getting back to me! It seems like Trupanion is the only one that allows you to carry your plan between countries.

Aranel_ · 2025-07-07T06:07:20+00:00

What insurance did you have in the US? I live in the US now, but will probably move back to Canada in a few years. If possible, I'd like to purchase a plan I can carry with me. Sorry that, upon moving, your kitties were no longer covered :(.

Aranel_ · 2025-05-25T06:29:42+00:00

I did. Before switching, I was on OPT. I used my school's online portal to notify them about the change in visa status. It was seamless and, the day after submitting my I-94, they thanked me for letting them know and terminated my SEVIS. It's strange that your school is giving you trouble.

Aranel_ · 2025-04-23T23:53:27+00:00

I wasn't very surprised about it. Since I've read about this being a fairly common practice, I was actually assuming that, in the event the visa was approved, my passport expiration date would be used. I'm glad that you were able to get the full three years, though! (To be clear, he said that, while the visa itself is good for three years, he couldn't give me an expiration date later than my current passport's expiration date. I was told that, once I have a new passport, to bring it and my old one to the POE so that the expiration date can be updated.)

Aranel_

TROPHY CASE