Fired from my job after 5 months

"EI can be claimed if one has the hours. Guess 5 months is enough."

Your first target would be state UI -- this is still initiated thru Canada. But if you did not qualify for state UI, you would still likely qualify for Cdn EI, based on your past Cdn history and your US work time.

-- Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:20 am --

I-539 has a filing fee.

The comapny is NOT required to by any law to move you back for any reason. Only if this was part of your company policy or self-negociated.

danny is perhaps thinking of the requirement for those terminated in H1 status, where the sponsor is responsible for the transport of the terminiated worker back to his country of origin. This applies only to H1 termination, and covers only the employee; not his family, not his possessions.


And, there is no urgency to file I-539 to getanother status if one intends to leave short-term. However if one wants to change status in order to rrmain in US and not have to go to the border at all, the change of status should be done while currently in valid status; this the need to file I-539 for B2 on the day of termination.

-- Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:22 am --

Goods to follow would not be sufficient grounds to let you back into US. Besides, goods to follw is filed with Cdn customs not US.

And if you formally imported your car into US (or bought it down here), you must also for,ally export it form US (and import into canada any car bought in US).

I-539 has a filing fee.
The comapny is NOT required to by any law to move you back for any reason. Only if this was part of your company policy or self-negociated.

danny is perhaps thinking of the requirement for those terminated in H1 status, where the sponsor is responsible for the transport of the terminiated worker back to his country of origin. This applies only to H1 termination, and covers only the employee; not his family, not his possessions.

-----------
Thanks for the clarification, indeed I was thinking of the H1 and there too I thought they had to pay for the goods etc. Best to get all this negotiated upfront so that they pay for everything, including breaking a lease, moving and all.

I am certainly finding out from this thread on what to do now. Originally it was mentioned I needed to file for a visitors status ASAP once I was fired. Now I'm reading I didn't have to do so immediately. Boy what a differnce a week makes. It's a shame that it's not spelled out in B&W for people to understand and follow, instead of bits and pieces.
I have emailed USCIC-Canada to find out if I can indeed truck my stuff back, then return for the remaining stuff including my car. If I don't hear from them by February I'll book the uhaul with a car dolly and drive back. In February, if you're driving up I-93 & I-89 and see a guy towing a car behind a UHaul, send me a wave. It's probably me. I won't stop to say "G'day, eh" but I'll wave back (because I'm Canadian and we are friendly).

-- Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:57 am --

Oh and the cost for filing the I-539 is $300US. You can pay on-line with debit or credit card. I sent the hard documents USPS Priority post which cost another $5.60.

You came to us with the proposal that you would be staying in US for 4-5 MONTHS after losing your job. Thta requires a status. You changed your mind, so the advice changes.

Now, you'll just have the tax headache. Remember that any US income you recieve while a cdn residnt (incl. severance) will be reportable in canada.

Go to forums.serbinski.com for that

Point taken. I wasn't trying to upset anyone. All the advice was terrigic. Yes since, my landlord let me out of my lease everything changed. I'm now looking to leave in early February. I'll definitely need an accountant for tax time.

-- Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:48 am --

Hi everyone,
Just a short update on my situation...I am now back in Canada!!!
The move back went well although documenting everything for customs was a chore (I did this before I packed). It was necessary however, as it made the time spent in customs go by fast. I even had my original car invoice handy proving I purchased it in Canada.
Now the job search begins. It will be a challenge in this economy and I am up to it. Just knowing that I don't have that TN-1 status over my head and that I can freely look for work is a true blessing of this country. There is no place like home is true to it's word.
Thank you to all that have helped me out during the past 2 weeks.
Cheers