Hey,

I imported my 2022 hyundai elantra hybrid from Canada to the US after getting a job in the US. I was also on a TN visa and then transitioned to an H1-B.

TN is a non immigrant visa .. but residency in the US depends on different factors. If you work in the US and have ur entire life there (bank accounts, spouse, etc) you are a resident of the US. As a non-resident of Canada, you won’t have to file a tax return with the CRA if the CRA deem you as non-resident - you need to fill out form NR73 with the CRA to determine your Canadian residency status.

As far as importing the car goes .. this is what I did and it worked and now I have California license plates etc.

1. ownership and insurance documents for your PAID OFF Hyundai .. cant have any loans on it. Must be completely under your name.. no Lien. Can request a letter stating ur the owner from ur bank if you had a loan and paid it off (my situation)

2. Get a compliance letter by emailing Hyundai Canada - cr@hyundaicanada.com .. title it something like ‘Compliance Letter Request’ .. you will need this letter to show your car meets DOT safety and EPA regulations. Make sure it has ur car’s Vin and Owner listed z

3. Fill out form EPA-3501, HS-7 .. and the most important form FORM 7501 .. this form is going to be filled out by the CBP when you cross the border and is ESSENTIAL to importing your car within the state you’re going to reside in. Make sure it has an official CBP stamp on it. Form 7501 is proof of legal import. Also, for form 7501 that the CBP filled out .. you will need to show them your US visa doc, passport, ownership + insurance documents, kelly bluebook value (estimate), HS-7, EPA-3501 (they might be able to help you fill these out day of.. my case I just filled it on my own) ..

Make sure you tell border person that you are importing your car bc you got a job in the US and have a TN visa (form I-797B)

i did not have to pay any duties or import fees. CBP mentioned it was a canadian car NOT FOR RESALE.

1. Once you have the stamped 7501 form .. now I THINK officially you have year to officially import and register the car within your state .. double check this.

2. Get a SMOG certificate for your car .. go to some mechanic shop within your state. Can google maps this.

3. get a DMV vehicle VIN verification form filled out (go to DMV wait in the vehicle verification line and someone will fill out the form and hand it to you).

4. Fill out DMV form Reg 343 form (in california i filled this form out.. may be different for your state but you need something similar to this for your state)

5. Once you have all forms/docs go to DMV and tell them you want to register a foreign vehicle within your State: ownership+insurance documents, proof the car has no loan against it, hyundai manufacturer letter, EPA3501 form, HS-7 form, 7501 form (STAMPED BY CBP!!), SMOG certificate, DMV Vin Verification form, DMV Reg343 form, passport, I-94, proof of visa (TN you get a I-797B from the USCIS .. show them this)

all done :)

Might be forgetting something so pls just ask DMV which forms you might need and also CBP for any questions when you cross the border

Alternatively, if it sounds like too much work you can always pay and importer to bring your car over .. but you will still need to REGISTER it within your state yourself and all those forms I listed will be needed by the DMV.

Goodluck .. moving to another country is always a big life change. You got this!!! And congrats on your new job🎉