Am I eligible for TN visa?

Hi there,

I got a job offer in US. I have 2 years PGDCA (Post graduate Diploma in Computer Applications) from India and 4 years Honours Bsc : Life Sciences (major : biology) from University of Toronto. And I have almost 2 years experience as Database Analyst. I have got the job on basis on my diploma, experience and degree combined. I worked as an Analyst while completing my degree (taking online/evening classes). Will I qualify for TN as Systems Analyst?

Thank You

I am hearing contrasting views from people I have asked about it so far, some are saying that with combining my 2 year Diploma, 4 year Bsc Degree and 2 year experience I can get TN under Systems Analyst occupation because its equivalence to Bachelors of Computer science, where as some others say I might need one more year of work experience. There are also others who mentioned to me, that by having 2 years computers Diploma and 4 year Bsc degree regardless of major (strictly speaking in the context of science majors)does qualify me for the TN under Systems Analyst. Not sure who is right or who is wrong? Please need some help to clarify this issue.

Thanks a lot.

The only chance you have is with your post-graduate diploma and 3 years of work experience (so you need an extra year). The other problem you have, though, is that your degree is from outside Canada/US/Mexico. The border official may demand you provide some kind of US evaluation of your diploma.

Your bachelor degree in Life Sciences will not help you in any way get a Systems Analyst position (since it is not directly related to your job).

If you want a job in the US that's related to your Life Sciences degree (and one that's on the approved list of TN occupations), then you could get in right now.

The company that offered me the job requires both computer skills and biology skills, this field is called Bioinformatics that uses databases to research on genome projects and clinical research areas. May I know by which TN occupation I could get in to US right away? As I mentioned above I have HBsc ( majors Biology and Neuroscience).

Thank You

"People with contrasting views" seems to be a common theme when applying for a TN Visa. I was staying temporarily in the U.S. while looking for work there, and I received a job offer from an American company. Not wanting to wait the obscene time for an immigration form to be processed, I decided to inquire about the TN Visa for Accounting. I called one of the border crossings, and told the officer there what I had: A job offer letter stating my job duties, salary, and period of stay (1 year), a valid Canadian Passport, and a 2-year Accounting diploma. I was informed by the officer that it should be fine, and I should drive up to get it. I did so, and when I had made the three hour drive to get there, the very same border officer decided to actually do the research. Turns out, I needed a 4-year degree. So I was denied the TN Visa, but it didn't stop there. They also denied me re-entry to the U.S. because I didn't have permanent ties to Canada (I had just graduated college not long before that, and since I was staying in the U.S. while looking for a job, I couldn't prove my ties on the spot).

And of course, I had left all my belongings (including my clothes) in the U.S., as I was told that I would be able to obtain this TN Visa by the very same border officer who denied me it. They stuck me back in British Columbia, far away from my permanent residence in Ontario, with nothing but the clothes on my back. Oh, and since my girlfriend (who is an American) had a car which was much more reliable than mine, we took her car up to the border. I didn't have any transportation either.

My advice? If both you and the employer can wait the approximate two months for an I-129 to be processed, go that route. If not, try for the TN Visa at a port of entry - Assuming you are in Canada right now. If you're already in the U.S., don't go anywhere near that border. Good luck!

Wow why would the officer give people the wrong information? It takes time and money to get to the border. I am trying to find an occupation from the TN list to get in to US.

Why is it so urgent for the TN Visa? It sounds like you might be able to make a strong case for an "alien of exceptional ability" under an I-129. Your employer would file this on your behalf, and you'd hear back in just a couple of months.

Failing that, I'd go with the earlier recommendation to find a TN-eligible job that your Life Sciences/Biology degree would qualify you for. You'd need to find a job offer first, but after that, you could almost certainly get a TN Visa.

Hello,

I am a 21-year-old female with a college diploma in Social Services. I have received a job offer from a U.S. employer via a referal. After reviewing my credentials and resume the employer feels I am more than suitable for the position, but I would have to apply for a work permit myself. I know that I am not able to apply under TN status because I do not possess a B.A. My question is: What visa would I apply for, and how long would the process take roughly?

Thank-you.

You can't. Get your degree first.