How to Enter US for a Job Interview

I am a Canadian citizen. I was an F-1 student in the US till June of 2008 and I returned to Canada after getting my Phd. Now I have a job interview with an American university and I have to go there. What kind of visa do I need? Can I tell this to the US immigration at the border post and they will be fine with it? Please help.

Thanks, Janisary

I am also heading down for an interview and asked my lawyer what I will need. He says you do not need a visa to visit the US but if you tell them it's for a job interview, they may give you some hassle at the border.

You do not need a visa for a job interview. You should be fine just telling them you're there for a business meeting.

If you have a pre-arranged specific job interview, you can enter as a regular business visitor, i.e. B-1. Make sure you have proof that you are there for a business visit, e.g. letter from employer, business cards, etc.

If you actually read the regs they are quite vague about this subject, it is illegal to enter the US to look for work, but it is legal to enter for a business meeting. I have entered the US in a similar context with no problems as have many others who have posted on here, but I did get quizzed at Hartsfield once and sent to secondary inspection. When I pulled out my business card, the letter from the employer and explained the situation they were okay with it.

If you want more info, put "B-1 NAFTA entry" into a search engine and read the specific regs, as B-1 entry for Canadians is actually quite broad.

I've had no problems with entering for a job interview and explicitly saying so. Each time they asked what the position was and the name of the company, but no requests for documentation. Good luck.

Just state you're going for an interview -- have the employer's information available and get a letter confirming the interview.

Then see if the immigration officer lets you in on a b-1 visa or simply a visitor.

On the entry card, leave the business/pleasure option empty and tell the officer you weren't sure what to write.

Good luck and remember to return to this thread and write what happened so others can learn from your experience.

Hi Friends

I am a Canadian citizen. I have lived and worked in USA for few years till last year on TN.
Now i am back in CANADA and have to travel to USA for a job interview by flight. Can i get some help on what is the best answer to give at the customs?

Can i be upfront about the job interview?, i am traveling with a one day return ticket with one pair of clothes

Need help urgently , any recent experiences much appreciated

Regards

V

You must be upfront about the interview, as this is your sole and over-riding reason for your visit to US. What were you going to answer to the "why are you going to US" question?

You should have the letter/e-mail inviting you to the interview and only documents required for that meeting.

You will be admitted as a business visitor (B1) rather than a tourist (B2), probably undocumented, however.

Just came back here to thank this forum again, again, and again.

I checked this post last weekend and it not only helped me, but also made me calm down on this regard.

I am quoting agnelson here:
"You should have the letter/e-mail inviting you to the interview and only documents required for that meeting."

That was all I needed. The officer asked me the purpose of my trip and I said I had a job interview, but wasn't sure if I should have marked BUSINESS or not. She just asked me who the employer was, so just to make sure no more questions would be asked I showed her the email with all the details. She said I should have marked BUSINESS and even said "Good luck".

Duds

I am a new immigrant to Canada. I havent even received my PR card yet. It will take another 3 weeks, I think. I am searching for jobs currently. I was in US for almost 10yrs and moved to India b4 immigrating here to Canada.

Now the situation is , I am attending interviews with one company in Vancouver, BC. Their head qtrs is in Florida, USA. They want me to go there to attend the final interview. But, I will be working in Canada only.

So, what kind of visa should i get? I havent even started workin yet and havent been in Canada for more than a month now???
pls advice.

Thanks!