H1-B visa information

takao47
New Member



Joined: 24 Sep 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:36 am

 

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Greeting fellow forum members, I am new guy Takao47, I am a landed immigrant from Japan and my original occupation is a chemical engineer (Bachelor of Engineering degree is from reputable Japanese national university around Tokyo area). My intended job in Canada is same as I did in Japan.

So far I have been living in Canada for over 5 years. Let me describing residence chronology more precisely, my initial social integration phase of 3 years is as a student-visa holder, last Canadianization phase of 2 years is as a landed immigrant.

I am pretty soon entering the final phase of social coherence process. I am eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship on [u]November 15*[/u], 2004 because I have established my residency in Canada more than 3 years out of consecutive 4 years period. I am feeling very good about this. But there is a one problem that makes me unhappy. “JOB” situation.

The very reason I am going to apply for Canadian citizenship has very pragmatical objective. The Canadian citizenship/passport streamlines US work authorization petition process less costly, much faster and greater mobility than being a permanent resident. Other than that, I see no benefit at all except participating federal/provincial/municipal elections. Oh there is another benefit… I can obtain higher government security screening status.

Anyhow I have been engaging long & massive resume distribution campaign** after graduation from Canadian university (done degree program in Saskatchewan) while doing what you call entry-level non-engineer job in Saskatchewan and Ontario, quite frankly I am getting tired of many job application rejections, scrutinizing and telling same old stuff from interviewees.

You may or may not know, there is a HR’s pet peeve famous “lack of Canadian experience” BS to discriminate immigrant engineer or other license regulated professionals such that nurses, school teachers and MDs. One time I am really pissed of about an arrogant attitude of one HR (I still don’t know why I was invited for job interview first place) and told them “There is no Canadian engineering practice or Japanese engineering practice except differences of labor laws/management style/social norms/construction, fire and safety code. And this is quality assurance position! Japanese companies doing pretty good jobs for quality control than Canadian counterparts!!”

Nevertheless since I come to Toronto, I am working hard for networking and other routine procedures like resume workshop, mock interviews, You know that things you have to go through as a typical job applicant.

Fortunately or unfortunately I have several new developments in my career (sort of becoming soul) searching. Two American companies recently approached me to work in Illinois area with handsome compensation packages, tuition reimbursement for further education and dignified-respect as an engineer. They told me that they found my online resume. They never asked my lack of so-called “American experience” nor “Illinois experience”. I really tempted to go to the south of 49th parallel. One company started H1-B visa application due to very small fraction of H1-B visa allotment is remains for the fiscal year 2005 at this point.

Despite these incentives, I am also little bit reluctant to move to US. I am also uncomfortable about social institutions down there…like HMO, federal-government supporting faith-based charitable activities, selective service system*** and so on. It is totally reversed sociopolitical landscape from Canada, which I used to live.

I need your help. I have questions to Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents working in the US. So please do answer me if you have a time. You can PM me if you want to keep your opinion anonymous about better perspectives of living in US. I do really appreciate that. I am embarrassed to ask such dumb questions at this forum…my questions are very trivial. I located this forum by google-ing.

1). What does happen if my employment terminated in US? Do I have to come back to Canada immediately? In matter of hours, days or weeks? Can I remain in US to look for another engineering opportunity if 2-year/5-year H1-B visa is still valid?
2). Can I still continue to contribute CPP from US? Is that deductible for US tax return?
3). Can I send RRSP contribution to Canadian banks? Will IRS impose tax for this contribution?

I am just wondering how many more years I have to put up with this crap. I think I am very patient and long-term goal oriented person, but everyone has a breaking point.


*I am told from CIC officers to apply after November 15 lately.

** 387 resumes have been sent to this date Over 2 year’s period. I was told from another immigrant engineer friends that I am not working hard to look for job?? Really? I cannot believe this!

*** Is that true that even non-American residents need to register? I am neither Mennonite nor Hutterite so I may possibility need to take arms.

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