TN status for Pharmacy interns

[Canadiancitizen 0]

Hi,

I am a Canadian citizen, currently living in Singapore. I got a job offer in the US as a Pharmacy intern (9 months duration). I am planning to apply for TN status

NAFTA Job title says Pharmacist not Pharmacy intern, so

1. Job title - Pharmacist intern (Is it the correct job title for Pharmacy interns??).

2. Pay - What should be the minimum pay/hr, we have to show for TN?

3. Start date: Is it mandatory for me to apply for TN, just 2 weeks before the mentioned start date in the job offer letter??

4. Location of Residence: I am currently living in Singapore, since my spouse in working in Singapore. Will it be a problem to apply for TN, since I don't own or rent a house in Canada. But I do have a bank account in Canada, credit card, Canadian health card and Social Insurance number card.

If no, then what are the documents I have to show from Singapore like proof of residence or tie ups outside the US. Is it okay to show the lease agreement I signed in Singapore for renting an apartment?

5. Processing office - In which location at US/Canada border is better to apply for TN?

Is it possible to apply at US/Mexico border as well?? Heard that it is easy to get TN there !!

If I am not eligible for TN, can I volunteer my internship on B1 (Business visitor visa)? Kindly clarify.

[Harsh_77 718]

Maybe someone from Canada who is on TN can help you better, but I can tell you is on B1 you cannot offer your free service to them.

It would be considered illegal.

Also another I can add is if you are not a pharmacist yet, then you cannot use the title, you will have to put as intern - also your employeer would be required to provide some paper work for TN and I am sure if you are intern with them they will not put your title as pharmacist.

Edited March 30, 2011 by Harsh_77

[canadian_wife 1,823]

1. - what was the position you were hired for? Pharmacy intern? What does it say on your job offer letter from the company...what position does it say? Your applicaiton must match that

2. How much are you being paid? Put that (you must have discussed this before you were hired...yes? - TN visas are not for volunteers)

3. The start date is necessary, put whatever date you plan on starting

4. The lease agreement in Korea is fine. Bring that

6. TN visas in this economy aren't really 'easy' anymore. Pick a POE that is convenient for you. The one in Mexico/US is probably inundated with people and they do have good facilities. However, they are also incredibly busy.

Good luck

[Canadiancitizen 0]

Maybe someone from Canada who is on TN can help you better, but I can tell you is on B1 you cannot offer your free service to them.

It would be considered illegal.

Also another I can add is if you are not a pharmacist yet, then you cannot use the title, you will have to put as intern - also your employeer would be required to provide some paper work for TN and I am sure if you are intern with them they will not put your title as pharmacist.

1. One of my friends got his SSN (I don't know how he got it). His TN application was rejected and the officer at POE recommended B1 visa, since his Pharmacy internship period was just 3 months. He went back to his employer and got an UNPAID Pharmacy internship letter. His B1 visa was approved. He already completed his Pharmacy internship

2. Regarding Job title - "Intern Pharmacist" "Pharmacist-intern" are commonly used by employers (we could see that all over the net). Moreover, TN rules state that you don't have to be licensed to apply for TN status. Bachelor's degree or license enough. The point is, we cannot be a Pharmacist without a license. This is where intern license is important for TN application. People have been rejected for using job title like "Pharmacy intern".

My employer is ready to put "Pharmacist intern". I think, consulting a TN lawyer is worth it.

3. What kind of paper work are u talking about for TN? I think a tightly worded Job offer letter is the most important document. We have to take care of the rest, I guess.

[Canadiancitizen 0]

1. - what was the position you were hired for? Pharmacy intern? What does it say on your job offer letter from the company...what position does it say? Your applicaiton must match that

My employer asked what to put, since he hasn't done a TN before. I told him, put Pharmacist intern but I just wanted to confirm it.

2. How much are you being paid? Put that (you must have discussed this before you were hired...yes? - TN visas are not for volunteers)

Again my employer asked, what is the minimum we have to put for TN? He is ok with 12 to 13$/hr. Is there a minimum pay requirement for TN??

3. The start date is necessary, put whatever date you plan on starting

Sorry, I just wanted to know, do I have to apply for TN just 2 weeks before the TN start date or can I apply even 1 month before the start date?

4. The lease agreement in Korea is fine. Bring that

Do I have to submit any other proof of residence document or tie ups outside the US, other than lease agreement ?

6. TN visas in this economy aren't really 'easy' anymore. Pick a POE that is convenient for you. The one in Mexico/US is probably inundated with people and they do have good facilities. However, they are also incredibly busy.

Thanks for the information. Even though TN paper work sounds easier, anything can go wrong. I think hiring a Immigration lawyer is the best thing to do. Any suggestions??

Good luck

[Dakine10 5,452]

1. One of my friends got his SSN (I don't know how he got it). His TN application was rejected and the officer at POE recommended B1 visa, since his Pharmacy internship period was just 3 months. He went back to his employer and got an UNPAID Pharmacy internship letter. His B1 visa was approved. He already completed his Pharmacy internship

This B1 can be used this way for a short term training position. It is not advised to try this if the position is customarily a paid internship. It would defininitely not be wise to first try and get a paid internship and then try to get the SAME position as an unpaid internship from the same employer.

[Harsh_77 718]

1. One of my friends got his SSN (I don't know how he got it). His TN application was rejected and the officer at POE recommended B1 visa, since his Pharmacy internship period was just 3 months. He went back to his employer and got an UNPAID Pharmacy internship letter. His B1 visa was approved. He already completed his Pharmacy internship

2. Regarding Job title - "Intern Pharmacist" "Pharmacist-intern" are commonly used by employers (we could see that all over the net). Moreover, TN rules state that you don't have to be licensed to apply for TN status. Bachelor's degree or license enough. The point is, we cannot be a Pharmacist without a license. This is where intern license is important for TN application. People have been rejected for using job title like "Pharmacy intern".

My employer is ready to put "Pharmacist intern". I think, consulting a TN lawyer is worth it.

3. What kind of paper work are u talking about for TN? I think a tightly worded Job offer letter is the most important document. We have to take care of the rest, I guess.

Your friend might have an SSN for N number of reasons – on B1 legally he is not allowed to work nor is the pharmacy allowed to hire him.

No employer can hire anyone on B1 – B1 is only meant for business meetings and yes max you can stay is 180 days on it.

Paperwork, I was referring to was your employer would have to provide some documentation to you when you go for Visa as how big their operations are, how many ppl they have on payroll, what role they are hiring you for, what would be your daily duties, what your pay is going to be, what your benefits are going to be etc.

If they mention that they are hiring you as “intern” you would not qualify for TN. Some ppl sometimes manage to fall thru crack (seems your friend managed to do that) but that’s not the case all the time.

[Canadiancitizen 0]

Your friend might have an SSN for N number of reasons – on B1 legally he is not allowed to work nor is the pharmacy allowed to hire him.

No employer can hire anyone on B1 – B1 is only meant for business meetings and yes max you can stay is 180 days on it.

Paperwork, I was referring to was your employer would have to provide some documentation to you when you go for Visa as how big their operations are, how many ppl they have on payroll, what role they are hiring you for, what would be your daily duties, what your pay is going to be, what your benefits are going to be etc.

If they mention that they are hiring you as “intern” you would not qualify for TN. Some ppl sometimes manage to fall thru crack (seems your friend managed to do that) but that’s not the case all the time.

I think, Job offer letter has to include all that you mentioned. (Duration, pay, job description) etc. Information about the employer, yes, note worthy point but do not know whether it is needed.

Like I said before, Job titles like "Pharmacy intern" will be rejected but "Pharmacist Intern" job title usually used by Canadian Pharmacists and graduates to apply for TN. Anyways, I guess it is important to consult a TN lawyer for the paper work, even though it is relatively easy when compared to H1B.