First-time Canadian TN and L nonimmigrant visa applicants may soon find the application process smoother thanks to efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to optimize processing for these visa types. On September 16, 2014, CBP announced that 14 ports of entry have been designated for optimized processing, including preclearance locations such as Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto and Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C.
It is not required that new applicants use the designated ports of entry. However, taking advantage of the designated ports is likely preferable because officers at these locations will presumably have additional training on these visa types, resulting in quicker and more accurate adjudications.
The following ports of entry have been designated for optimized processing:
Pre-Flight Inspection Locations
- Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Ontario
- Trudeau International Airport, Dorval, Quebec
- Vancouver International Airport, Richmond, British Columbia
- Calgary International Airport, Calgary, Alberta
Land Port Locations
- Highgate Springs Port of Entry, Highgate Springs, Vermont
- Derby Line Port of Entry, Derby Line, Vermont
- Alexandria Bay Port of Entry, Alexandria, New York
- Peace Bridge Port of Entry, Buffalo, New York
- Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry, Niagara Falls, New York
- Champlain Port of Entry, Champlain, New York
- Detroit Canada Tunnel Port of Entry, Detroit, Michigan
- Detroit Ambassador Bridge Port of Entry, Detroit, Michigan
- Blaine Peace Arch Port of Entry, Blaine, Washington
- Sweetgrass Port of Entry, Sweetgrass Montana
More information can be found at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/canada-mexico-travel/traveling-tn-or-l-1-visa-canada.
