Interview in the USA

Hi,

I'm a Cdn. citizen and have an upcoming interview for an RN position which also requires a job shadowing experience (just observing) on a unit at a hospital. I did not apply for this position while visiting the U.S. I applied for it online and have been communicating with the Nurse Recruiter via email/phone.

My concern is getting through the border. I do not have a letter from the hospital inviting me for the interview and I don't want to ask them for one either as it will just annoy them. I want to be able to tell the border officer that I am going for an interview, but I am scared that I wont be able to get through. Other people have said they just say they are going "shopping" but I could never do that.

How can I get through the border for a job interview?? Are they going to give me problems for being honest?? I think I might call the Border and find out if I am allowed to enter for an interview with no letter, but if anyone has any advice or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated!

Since you have been communicating with a recruiter, have them send you an e-mail with the details of your interview, if you don't have one already. that should suffice.

Carry ONE copy of your resume/transcipts/etc for the interview, not several.

Technically, you did everything correctly within the confines of the law. It is perfectly okay to enter on a B-2 for an interview after conducting one or more phone interviews.

You won't encounter problems for being honest. However, the opposite does apply for being dishonest.

Bring along the contact information of the potential employer in case CBP wants to know the employer name and/or location of the meeting.

If the employer is flying you in for an in-person interview, bring a copy of the itinerary to show U.S. Immigration your return to Canada following the meeting.

I think it won't problem if they came to know you are going job interview but you have to take a copy of interview letters, education certificate, so on.........

Hi,

Thank you all for the advice. I'm am still concerned about going through the border. I keep reading that many people have been asked to prove their ties to Canada. Although it may not happen all the time, it depends on the Border officer.

I graduated a few months ago (nursing) and I do not have a job right now in Canada. I am waiting to get a RN license in Canada which may take awhile. I have not been able to find any kind of job here in Ontario..I'm unemployed and the economy sucks here. I do not own a home or lease because I am young, just graduated, and don't have a job.. How could they expect someone like me to own a house?? I pay month to month rent with help of family where I live right now, however I am not on the lease here I just pay my roommate for the room..The only thing that I have here is credit card statements and my vehicle which is in my moms name and the fact that all of my family lives in Canada.. Is this enough??

I really want to be honest and say i'm going for an interview, but if I have to show all my ties I might be risking getting denied entry due to my circumstances.. I know this is the worst case scenario. I have never had problems going through, but I just want to be prepared for the worst..
Any more advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Your fears of crossing into the U.S. for an interview are completely unjustified and over-exaggerated.

The economy is bad in the U.S. too if not worse than Canada just in case you haven't examined the unemployment rates in some of the states. Canada does not have all of the mortgage defaults and foreclosures going on south of the border so in a sense, we are a bit more insulated from the economic pain.

Simply tell them you were invited for an interview and are returning to Canada following the meeting. If customs probes further, tell them you are an RN eligible under NAFTA and qualify for TN work authorization.

Being asked for ties to Canada for just a simple entry as a job interview is very remote but not impossible. I would be more concerned with having information about the employer if asked as well as the itinerary showing intent of returning to Canada.

I would not worry too much about showing ties. This is more in line with a tourist requesting B-2 Status for 6 months. You are merely entering for an interview and then returning.

Thanks MC, I realize my fear of going for an interview is a bit exaggerated. I think I've been reading too many horror stories..

I am aware of the US economy, however there are a lot of RN opportunities (even for new grads) in the area that I have applied. The US economy is bad right now, but Canada is much worse (in my field).

Remember, many of the horror stories are in the minority and then those that do appear apply to individuals who have overstayed in the U.S. and received more drastic repercussions such as a 3, 5, or 10-year bar. Then again, the bars can be dealt with via non-immigrant waivers.

Canada is a small country compared to the U.S. and therefore what you are experiencing is a much larger market for Nursing Professionals. Similarly, the IT market in the states is @ 15 times larger than the Canadian market. So it is a much bigger pot often termed as the 'land of milk and honey'.

Good luck!

job market for new RN's in many places in the USA isnt that great at the moment, especially in the DC area! I know people who graduated in May 2009 without a job yet! My Unit is hiring, but manager isnt hiring new grads!! Best of luck

Thanks MC and Flames,

I know the US is very bad in some areas for RN's. Especially metro areas or hot spots. I went to school in a small town rural area and there are still many jobs for RN's in this area as it is not as desirable as the nice big glamorous cities such as DC, NY, San Fran, ect. I am willing to live in small town rural areas and work in any area of nursing. There definitely are jobs out there in these less desirable areas.