TN Visa --- car registration question

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yahmed - 27 Mar 2006 16:18 GMT

Hi everyone,

I posted this question to USA group but did not get any reply...

I am Canadian Citizen and these days I am evaluating an offer of TN
Visa. I have the option to move either of their San Diego, CA branch or
Boulder, CO branch. I was wondering if I move any of these locations,
should I move my car with me? (or sell it here in Canada and buy
another in US) If I take my car with me, will I be able to use the car
for a year there on Canadian number plates? Or will I have to change
the registration and insurance?

Please guide...

Thank you

P.S. if this is not the right group to ask this, please advise which
group should I send this question to.

Reply to this Message

Bill - 27 Mar 2006 19:51 GMT

>Hi everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>for a year there on Canadian number plates? Or will I have to change
>the registration and insurance?

If you take up residence in the US you will have to 1) formally import
your car via US Customs, 2) register your car in your state, 3) obtain
a state driver's licence, 4) obtain American insurance; it's very
unlikely your Canadian insurance would cover you if you are living in
the USA. Note that I said "residence", and not "permanent residence".
Even if you have non-immigrant TN status, you will be considered to be
a resident for some purposes, like taxation and auto registration.
Check the state motor vehicles web sites for the exact procedures in
California and Colorado. In CA in particular, the rules are very
strict. Good luck.

Bill

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Reply to this Message

dberar@gmail.com - 27 Mar 2006 21:58 GMT

> If you take up residence in the US you will have to 1) formally import
> your car via US Customs, 2) register your car in your state, 3) obtain
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Bill

"NONRESIDENTS may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1)
one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the
owners arrival. Vehicles imported under this provision that do
not conform to U.S. safety and emission standards must be exported
within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no
exemption or extension of the export requirements. "

Chew on this for a while and see what you think:
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/travel/importexportcar.
ctt/importingacar.doc

Just remember that State and Federal govts each have their own
particular set of rules like Bill mentioned....

Cheers

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Immigration Forum / Canada / March 2006

TN Visa --- car registration question