Canadians Working in the US

we are a Toronto based integrator. Build and supply panels and PLC / Scada solutions to multi-national companies.

Lately we have been getting a major hassle crossing the US border to commission our systems.

Major hang up the US Border Patrol and Customs have is why an American company is hiring a Canadian company.

The documentation we used to use:

-letter of introduction from customer stating contract particulars and how are employess are not paid by US company
-letter of employement proving guys crossing border are our employees
-copy of hotel reservations
-copy of original contarct and customer po#

seems to be no longer applicable.

Any other Canadian integrators experinecing same issues?
Border we usually cross at is the Fort Erie Peace Bridge.

I had the same problem entering Canada after Nafta passed. I think its tied to the economy more than anything. I believe, for the border patrol anyway, that laws seem to be more like guidelines than laws.

One agent asked me "Aren't their any Canadians that can do this?" "Not sure, haven't met one smart enough yet." That was my fastest turn around yet. They did find 6 packs of cigarettes under the garbage that accumulated in the back seat though. I thanked them for that.

My first hunch is: is this kind of questioning even legal? who the heck should care whatever contacts exist between private parties? is it immigration servece's business who is doing what work?

But these days I would not be surprised at anything.

I get asked the same question

ScottTheEngineer said:

One agent asked me "Aren't their any Canadians that can do this?"

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I say yes but not as quickly.

The problem is that is takes time to get up to speed on the equipment.

I've been grabbed going North into Canada to work. But only sometimes, maybe 20%. Totally depends on who's on watch at the gate. Equipment bought in the US, and a service PO issued. I love the 'work permit fee'. If you just want to shake me down for some cash to enter the country why don't you just say so? When I present my passport, tell me the price, I'll pay (well, the company pays) and we all move on with our day. No problem. Sitting in the border office for a couple of hours is wasting everyone's time, including yours. We both know your going to let me into your country - so why the hassle?

I thought WE had the problem.
Getting into Canada for a new install has become a major hassle.
I don't know what I ever did but now I have to go to immigration with a stack of papers and wait forever for them to be verified. I'm then given a work permit for a period of time that Canadian immigration decides is long enough. If the job runs over (it hasn't yet)I have to go back to the border and reapply. I am paid by the American company.
My family has relatives in the Toronto area. I have been traveling there often for over 60 years. Now whenever I visit I go in someone else's car and don't take tools or a computer.
American customs people have a terrible reputation. There was a big article in the Toronto paper reporting that now Canadian customs have a worse temperament.
You certainly have my sympathy.

I had to go to Toronto for a job recently. It took three tries to get through, all because I told the truth. As soon as "job" and "work" is said, straight to immigration. I'm a plc programmer commissioning a line installed at a Toronto company that will employ Canadians. Didn't fly. Took the factory owner raising hell with border patrol and two days to get me in. Makes me regret saying anything other than I was sightseeing. I did get to see Niagara Falls!!!

From the sound of your post it sounds like the problem is a two way street.

You guys traveling over the border need to apply for TN Visa's.
They are worth the hassle to get...I once waited for 4 hours, with my degree and paperwork in hand....but finally it was granted.

Do some research BEFORE you quote on jobs....

One agent asked me "Aren't their any Americans that can do this?" "Not sure, haven't met one smart enough yet."

I was headed over to work on one of our machines in BC and they wouldn't let me in. I drove 8 hours and they told me to go home. They kind of steered me towards my demise: using the four letter "w" word (work).

Now I just say on-site business meeting.

SNK, I got the exact same thing that you did regarding intelligent Canadians. Then they told me that the only reason Canadians bought my companies equipment is because we were the lowest bidder.

dmroeder said:

They kind of steered me towards my demise: using the four letter "w" word (work). Now I just say on-site business meeting.

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Amen brother!!! That W word is the death of you! Sales meeting is another great buzzword. Hope they don't read these threads.

And another thing: I thought Canadians liked beer. The way it's taxed - and sold - in Toronto amazes me. Sorry I digress.

You guys have it easy.

Try being a Brit, working for a Canadian company, commissioning in the USA!!!

HAHA, I can only imagine!

From experience this is not just a North American problem. I am an American working for a Japanese company and often traveled through Europe and the Middle East. I always get asked the same question "Can't our people do the work?" My company line has been "Your folks are quiet capable, we are just here to help while your guy's get ramped up". BTW Israel asked the toughest questions, but by far had the cutest border guards.

mconner

In Israel you may ask same question 10 time but from security reason.
When you arrive you better have invitation latter and contact name.
There is no police to delay.
Visitors from America and Europe allays welcome.
My first time in Canada.I was landing in Toronto 5 am after 12 hour flight.
When they ask what is the purpose of your visit? I told them I came to run machine which build in Israel.They ask what you have to do with the machine I said some wiring & programing.
They arrested me for half day.After they spoke with my customer they told me you have 2 option.1 return to Israel ask for valid visa and come back.2 pay $200
fine and we will give you 10 day visa.
I paid the fine and get in.The second time I applied for visa , spend all the day at the Canadian embassy .
Next time I just land in the State flight to Buffalo NY rented a car and driving to Torontn the border I said I am going to the casino.
Very easy.
I entered many times to the State for installation. Invitation latter was enough.