I accepted an offer from a Bay Area company last week and was told today that my start date is July 24th, in order to have enough time for relocation and visa processing. Isn’t that a little too long?
You either get it at the border, which takes 10 minutes or the company can get it pre approved which with premium processing takes 2 weeks. Big companies typically get pre approval to avoid hassles. I've been hearing lately there's some pressure on TN what with nafta and everything, maybe that has something to do with the longer timeline.
Go for the premium processing. It gives you some hope you will actually be approved at the border, though they can still deny you. When I came in TN, I entered the US two weeks before my actual start date and told the border guy I was coming to work. He grilled me and then stamped the TN in my passport. Next morning I called my boss and resigned, AFTER I got into the US. Didn't want to quit and then get denied at the border...
From my very old experience, even 3 week is too long..... I moved 2 days before the start date.....
Wouldn’t the VISA application/preparation process take at least a month though?
The TN is adjudicated at the border.