Help with TN Visa Please... slightly complicated situation

My belief Agnelson is based on the experiences of folks I know personally who have obtained their TN's with experience while possessing a degree totally unrelated to the position being applied for. While the deciding factor most certainly lies in the hands of the CBP officer, there is no specific, s-p-e-l-l-i-t-o-u-t rule that states that the GD position MUST have a degree directly adjacent to it in order to qualify.

I think we are assuming our poster WILL be turned down at the border because the degree is unrelated.

To our poster, read this article and decide for yourself if you should NOT apply for a TN. http://www.naftatnlawyer.com/nafta-tn-blog/category/graphic-designer

Otherwise, as mentioned before, there is always the H1B.

And OPT can only be extended if one possesses a science or math degree.

Even the post you cite mentions the related degree requirement, and that failing this, the courseload argument must be used (which is exactly what I said at the outset -- I've "helped" Brian out in the past).

I would point out that diploma 3 yr experience is probably viewed a whole lot different that degree only, since the experience must be directly-related, thus the majority of the requisite credentials presented at the border are related (the 3 year experience), just as one with an degree can show "related" courseload.

Anecdotal evidence about some getting GD with an unrelateddiploma and 3 years of related experience may not be germane to this poster's situation, where he has and unrelated degree and no experience.

Thanks for the info on STEM being the requirement for OPT extension.

Anecdotal evidence about some getting GD with an unrelateddiploma and 3 years of related experience may not be germane to this poster's situation, where he has and unrelated degree and no experience.

Actually, I have freelanced since 2006. And this is listed on my resume and backed up by my portfolio. Does this make a difference?

And this is listed on my resume and backed up by my portfolio. Does this make a difference?

Not really, because you are getting your TN based on degree not diploma plus experience. You absolutelely need to be prepared to show how your degree courseload is related

And this is listed on my resume and backed up by my portfolio. Does this make a difference?

Not really, because you are getting your TN based on degree not diploma plus experience. You absolutelely need to be prepared to show how your degree courseload is related

There is no way I can show that my degree courseload is related unless I forge a transcript, which I'm not up for doing.

But I have a high school diploma + more than 3 years of experience. Do I just omit the degree then?

"diploma" in the TN context means "post-secondary 2-year diploma at a North american school", to be precise.

You need to convey this info to your superiors as a means of getting an H1-B. then try TN, and see.

But still get H1.

maybe you should take this up at a TN specific immigration forum, like
http://forums.immigration.com/forumdisp ... -TN-Status

Even the post you cite mentions the related degree requirement, and that failing this, the courseload argument must be used (which is exactly what I said at the outset -- I've "helped" Brian out in the past).

Yes it does however, the recipient was still able to obtain the TN based on past experience and PS diploma in lieu of the unrelated degree which in essence is the foundation to even being qualified for the TN.

I think at this point our poster should try his luck and see what becomes of the situation. It is a catch 22 type of dilemma so who knows what the deciding factor will be in his case.

Since he says he has freelanced since '06, the experience should suffice even without the course load. I am speaking purely from experience in this instance.

I hope the poster will keep us informed. This will give all of us a new reference point.

Will definitely keep you guys informed. Fingers crossed.

-- Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:37 pm --

If and when the officer asks me about my living situation in Canada, should I say I have no home or immediate family in Canada since my mom and I came here and she now has citizenship through marriage.... or tell them my uncle's address in Canada?

I've been reading up on interview questions and this one is the most troublesome.

-- Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:07 am --

Success!

I filled a binder with different documents including Cronin's memo, a letter from my professor, and pieces of my design portfolio. The officer only took my letter from employer, resume, degree, and proof of citizenship. He asked me about my transcript- I said I didn't have it, and he said it was fine. The whole thing took 30 minutes.

Thanks everyone for your input!