Don't Think I Qualify Under a TN. Any other options?

Hello, I have read the list of jobs under the NAFTA list which qualify under a TN Visa. I do not qualify under these job titles. I have worked in a hotel for min. 5 years, but not management. I ...

Canadian Expatriate and Travellers Forum Index -> Canadians in the USA -> US Visas and Immigration

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Karolina1980
New Member

Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Toronto

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:04 pm

Hello,

I have read the list of jobs under the NAFTA list which qualify under a TN visa. I do not qualify under these job titles. I have worked in a hotel for min. 5 years, but not management. I currently work in the Financial Industry as a Sales Assistant. Is it possible to get some type of 'work' visa when I do not have bachelor's/degrees (I have a 3 year Hospitality/Tourism Administration Program Diploma)?

Alternatively, a lot of my boyfriends family live in Miami. Can he somehow get sponsored by aunts/uncles, and then I marry him to allow me to live there as well? And if he gets sponsored, does he need a Visa to work still or is the sponsorship enough?

Sorry if my questions seem 'simple minded' to this topic - I have tried to research and read up but find it very confusing. A 'layman's' term explanation of my options would be appreciated! Smile

Thanks kindly in advance to anyone willing to take this one on,

Karolina

Reba
Moderator

Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1486
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:09 am

Why do you want to go the US? The economy is tanking and unemployment is at the highest its been in over a decade. Even born US citizens are finding it more and more difficult to get jobs, so finding an employer who will hire a foreigner who needs a visa is going to be rather more difficult. Even moreso if you have no NAFTA qualifications.

Unfortunately, no Aunts and Uncles cannot sponsor for green cards.
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Karolina1980
New Member

Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2
Location: Toronto

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:46 am

I want to go because I truly can not live in the Canadian winters any longer. I want to move to Florida where you can have a normal lifestyle (what I consider normal anyhow).

These are plans which would not be executed for probably a minimum of two years, and the economy has to get better sometime so it might be on the ups by then.

Reba
Moderator

Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1486
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:46 pm

If normal is suffering thru 90F + summers with infernal humidity and the threat of hurricanes from the end of May til October, sure. Wink

If you've got 2 years to fulfil your plans, then I'd suggest maybe furthering your education to get some sort of degree that would qualify for a TN or other type of work visa.

Or find an American to marry you. Not recommended to lie to anybody for the soul purpose of a green card, nor is it a good idea to lie to USCIS officials, but if you happen to meet someone, its a possibility. And likely your only option, without NAFTA qualifications.
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BermudaBum
Moderator

Beachin' in UK?

Joined: 22 Apr 2006
Posts: 85
Location: London

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:39 pm

Hi Karolina,

The Hospitality/Tourism industry is big down here. Wink

Cheers,
W.

Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:06 am

Karolina1980 wrote: I have read the list of jobs under the NAFTA list which qualify under a TN visa. I do not qualify under these job titles. I have worked in a hotel for min. 5 years, but not management. I currently work in the Financial Industry as a Sales Assistant. Is it possible to get some type of 'work' visa when I do not have bachelor's/degrees (I have a 3 year Hospitality/Tourism Administration Program Diploma)?

Yes, H-2B, seasonal worker in industry other than agriculture. Pretty common for hotels to use this program in Florida, but you would need to find one who was willing to sponsor you (or an employment agency who uses the programme and supplies hotel staff). Frankly the only people I've ever met who had H-2B worked at hotels in Florida. Valid for one year max., it can be renewed but as it's "seasonal worker" it gets dicey the longer you have it.

Quote: Alternatively, a lot of my boyfriends family live in Miami. Can he somehow get sponsored by aunts/uncles, and then I marry him to allow me to live there as well? And if he gets sponsored, does he need a Visa to work still or is the sponsorship enough?

Need a closer relative than that, has to be "immediate" family, parent, child or sibling. If he's got a brother or sister who is a US citizen they can sponsor him, but it's fourth preference and takes years, roughly 8.5 years at the moment. You would need to be married and enter as a dependent.

But like Reba says, if you're really desperate, get the education and experience that allows you to go in as TN-1 or some other category. H-2B isn't a long-term plan.
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Steve.