Canadian working in the USA?

[exc911ence]

Anyone here a resident of Canada (or anywhere else) living/working in the USA? I have a possible opportunity for employment around the Seattle area but have no idea what's involved in obtaining a working visa (I've been on the gov.us websites and got seriously mired down in weblinks and bureaucracy)... not to mention what I'd need to do to get my wife legally in the US and employable to an American firm. If someone could explain it all in layman's terms I'd greatly appreciate it!

Having lived on the west coast of BC for years, the PNW is very appealing to me.

Thanks!

[IDGAF27]

Originally Posted by exc911ence

Anyone here a resident of Canada (or anywhere else) living/working in the USA? I have a possible opportunity for employment around the Seattle area but have no idea what's involved in obtaining a working visa (I've been on the gov.us websites and got seriously mired down in weblinks and bureaucracy)... not to mention what I'd need to do to get my wife legally in the US and employable to an American firm. If someone could explain it all in layman's terms I'd greatly appreciate it!

Having lived on the west coast of BC for years, the PNW is very appealing to me.

Thanks!

"Employment visa through sponsorship" if I recall correct this is how visa is called if you comming to US to work and have a employer waitting for you.
Employer have to provide whole neccesary paperworks for visa.....

[imcarthur]

I must admit, that I don't know the process since I hold both passports which makes the border transparent for me. Several of my workmates live in Canada & work south (in sales). I know there is a paperwork process that is usually best left to a US immigration lawyer.

A quick Google turned up this: Everything you need to obtain a USA work visa

Ian

[legion]

Great, just what we need: an influx of cheap labor from the north!

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by legion

Great, just what we need: an influx of cheap labor from the north!

That's right. We work cheap & we don't whine as much so we are in great demand.

Ian

[legion]

My wife's cousin lives in suburban Detroit and works in Windsor. I think in his situation there is much less paperwork as he crosses the border every day for work.

To actually relocate here, you'd need to find a company to sponsor your work visa. Maybe one of the lawyers can chime in on the process. Does the company you are talking with know you are Canadian and are they familiar with the visa process? While it is all bureaucratic voodoo to me, it does seem that some companies do this very frequently, while others are intimidated by the process and stay away from it. I also know that being granted a work visa has some dependency on the sponsoring company being able to show that they have a need for your skills and they can't find them stateside (or getting a Congressman or Senator to insert an earmark in a bill giving them an exemption).

[slow&rusty]

You will need to get a TN (Trade Nafta) Visa, which is good for 12months of work and residency in the U.S. To qualify you will need the following:
1) A letter or offer of employment from the US employer
2) A copy of your University transcript showing that you have a certain technical training
3) Your Resume
4) Any certificates that enhance your porfession
5) Proof of Canadian Citizenship
6) Cost is $50

Not everyone qualifies for a TN, and you can be denied. If this is a first time, then you will be formally interviewed for about 20-30minutes by a Homeland Security Office at the Airport or Border, they want you to validate your skills, education and training.

Typically you have to be in a field where there is a deficit in the U.S, for example Engineers, Nurses, Doctors etc. On other words you cannot waltz into the U.S if you have a general Bachelor of Arts or general Bachelor of Science, the more specialized you are the better your chances.

If you do not have a degree, your chances will be slim.

You did not mention what your profession is or your wifes?

Once you get your TN VISA, your US employer can then choose to "sponsor you" and then you can apply for your H1B work visa (good for 3years and you can renew it only TWICE only), after that 6year period you go back to the yearly TN visa or better yet have your employer sponsor you for your Green Card.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Regards - Yasin

[exc911ence]

That's all excellent advice, thanks.

[tiwebber]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

You will need to get a TN (Trade Nafta) Visa, which is good for 12months of work and residency in the U.S. To qualify you will need the following:
1) A letter or offer of employment from the US employer
2) A copy of your University transcript showing that you have a certain technical training
3) Your Resume
4) Any certificates that enhance your porfession
5) Proof of Canadian Citizenship
6) Cost is $50

Not everyone qualifies for a TN, and you can be denied. If this is a first time, then you will be formally interviewed for about 20-30minutes by a Homeland Security Office at the Airport or Border, they want you to validate your skills, education and training.

Typically you have to be in a field where there is a deficit in the U.S, for example Engineers, Nurses, Doctors etc. On other words you cannot waltz into the U.S if you have a general Bachelor of Arts or general Bachelor of Science, the more specialized you are the better your chances.

If you do not have a degree, your chances will be slim.

You did not mention what your profession is or your wifes?

Once you get your TN VISA, your US employer can then choose to "sponsor you" and then you can apply for your H1B work visa (good for 3years and you can renew it only TWICE only), after that 6year period you go back to the yearly TN visa or better yet have your employer sponsor you for your Green Card.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Regards - Yasin

Exactly what I had to go through. I think there's a list somewhere of jobs that are almost always given a TN visa (given the right edcuation / experience). For me it was "Systems Analyst". This is vague but was easy to sell because I have a background in IT.

[Patrice911]

Almost the same for me also. I got a transfer, so am still with the same company, ( in fact it's a German company ). They took care of all the paper work.
I came in on an H1 visa, after 1.5 years we started the process for the green card, that took almost 7 years to get it.
At one point when the H1 expired they change me on an L1 visa. During the L1 my wife was not able to work.
Good luck and be patient.