Just wanna live in california

This might sound ridiculous, however it is the truth. I want to move and live in California for a number of reasons. However I know I will need a work permit, or green card in order to do this ( I'm 26 year old Canadian ). Everything I have looked at makes it seem pretty much impossible to go ahead with this. I have what is the equivalent of a degree from the Apple computers call center I work at ( been there for 6 years as a specialist ) however I'm not sure if that qualifies for anything. I'm not a huge fan of going back to school, but I will if I have too, just not sure what I should be taking that is needed in the States. And with the global economy the way it is, I don't see them outsourcing people via VISA anyway. I've always hated Canada since I was younger, mostly because of the Winter season, and do not want to live in the B.C area.

Is it possible at all to simply apply for a VISA, or take a citizenship test ?. I have no family in the states, or any ties to it at all, beside the fact I want to start a life down there. Is it just me, or does it seem entirely unfair that someone can label a piece of land stopping you from living there. We all share Earth.

Any advice is welcomed !.

As you will see if you read through some of the older posts on here, moving to the US is not as easy as packing a bag and getting on a plane to California. In order to move to the US legally, you generally need to have, at the very least, a job offer from a company here. In addition to this, most work permits available to Canadians require you to hold, at the very least, a bachelor's degree.

Going to school in the US is an option, but depending on the program, it can be very expensive. In addition, you cannot work while you are studying (except for some on-campus work, part-time).

You cannot get a green card unless you are being sponsored by a family member/spouse or an employer, or you are an investor of some kind (or you are an "alien of exceptional ability").

It may seem unfair but as distinct countries, the US and Canada have their own rules about who may or may not enter and work in each country.

I understand your words, just seems somewhat ridiculous. I have the computer knowledge, like I stated earlier, I have worked with Apple for 6 years at a call center. I am Apple Certified to take apart there computers ( portable and desktop certificates ) as well as a Call Center Manager diploma ( 2 year equivalent course ). Is there anyone on this board that is interested in a Computer Tech. for there company that can provide a VISA ?.

It's not ridiculous at all. They have the right to decide who they want to let work in their country and what the requirements for those people should be.

It's not ridiculous at all. They have the right to decide who they want to let work in their country and what the requirements for those people should be.

It's easy to say to the people that are born with good money, middle class family that can afford to put there children through College and receive a student VISA. Or to get a university degree or College degree in school and then re-locate to the States.

Is anyone aware of a VISA through Military service ?. Or if you put 4 years into the army in Canada, if a VISA exists to transfer to the U.S military for citizenship ?. I looked but could find no exact information on it.

As you can see I am quite interested in moving to California, it's always been a dream of mine. I love the land. I come from a family that are in the Military, so it was always an option for me. My other option was possibly enrolling into Medical school as a Paramedic, and changing careers from computers. Any thoughts if a Paramedic would have the possibility of being sponsored ?. If not, does anyone have any idea on what trades and or jobs are most accepted within the VISA process ?.

Thanks again community.

Unless you can show 12 years of verifiable work experience which might qualify you for an H1B in lieu of any lacking education, you are pretty much out of luck I am afraid.

The U.S. and Canada are basically two different animals when it comes to immigration and it shows too. Anyone can immigrate to Canada regardless of education level. I can see it too in the GTA where practically many newcomers cannot read or write a sentence of English even if their life depended on it. They simply do not speak English here anymore.

The U.S. is a totally different story where generally speaking at least a Bachelor's degree is required to immigrate and if you have more, all the better to you and your options as well.

Essentially, as far as the States is concerned, no education = no sponsorship. It is really that simple. You might begin by studying the NAFTA list and/or other U.S. immigration content.

Thank for for all the information people. Keep in mind I really want to do this, and I will do whatever it takes. So thanks again for all the help I can get on this. I'm not exactly enlightened when it comes to all of this VISA jargon.

MC, thanks for that info. According to that link, the webpage goes on to say soon as you land in the States with your TN VISA, you can simply apply and receive a Green Card. Is it really that easy then ?. I suppose easy is not the right word, but, is it possible ?. I understand still trying to find a job with a TN Visa can prove to be difficult. I still see a number of people on this board with them though, so I'm unsure how often they are given out. I was looking at the list of accepted professions, but did not see much on my side of computer knowledge, which is mostly hardware repair, and call center management. I noticed it listed Nurse, but not Paramedic, and that it mentioned most TN Visa applications need to be spot on for the job. How true is this for our TN Visa holders if you could answer ?.

Also, anyone that has one, can you go into detail on how difficult the process is ?. I would assume you need to find an employer that matches your exact profession, and go down for an interview.

Thanks for all the help so far.... this is very important to me

No, it is really not that easy at all. There have been others on here that clearly qualified under NAFTA and they encountered the good life as well as the darker side of U.S. Immigration. Even if you become eligible for TN, it does not actually mean you will get one.

A green card may be a possibility but it is a long, arduous process, often taking 3 to 5 years. The process is long and complicated involving big commitments, medical exams, RCMP police records, you name it. To further complicate matters, your employer may not even be around in three or five years so there is a great deal to consider. Will they even be willing to sponsor your green card is another consideration.

My advice is to read widely and consider getting an accredited 2-year program in Computer Information Systems seeing how you have some experience. You could enter as a CSA (Computer Systems Analyst). But I believe the areas of growth now are in networks so consider an Engineering degree or Network Engineering degree, which might improve your opportunities.

You must first find an employer who will sponsor your TN or H1B. It is certainly not an easy task in this current economy that continues to shed hundreds of thousands of jobs each month, very scary. The U.S. unemployment rate is projected to go to 10.5% later in the year.

Is anyone aware of a VISA through Military service ?. Or if you put 4 years into the army in Canada, if a VISA exists to transfer to the U.S military for citizenship ?. I looked but could find no exact information on it.

No, you must be a citizen or permanent resident to serve in the US military. There is a new initiative to recruit immigrants to the military (probably because of the significant drop in recruitment numbers) but you must be a temporary immigrant that has lived in the US for at least two years. But you can get your green card in as little as six months.

Given the current state of the US job market and economy, there is not a lot of job growth in most of the TN categories right now. Layoffs are ongoing. Nursing might be an exception, as with the technical fields that MC mentioned. My advice would be to find a job on the NAFTA list that you like and go to school. Get a degree. It's already a must in the current job market and is certainly needed for immigration purposes.

It's easy to romanticize the idea of moving south -- in Canada, we are bombarded with so much "American culture" it's hard not to want to be a part of it I suppose -- but the fact of the matter is, moving to the States is a hard process and requires a lot of research, planning and effort. That's just how it is.

Nursing is actually hurting quite a lot in most cities as well, it's usually the first place clinics and hospitals make cuts.

If you've worked for Apple for so long, and you have Apple certificates, why not see if you can transfer to a California office on an L1B intra-company transfer?

TN visas these days are pretty dodgy given the economy. Even if you can find a job that someone will sponsor a TN for you, and even if you can get a 3 year TN at the border, (they are only temporary, they're NOT dual intent, so going to green card from TN is tricky), the odds of being laid off and having to return ot Canada are pretty high. There's been quite a few people here lately that's happened to. If you get fired or laid off, or you quit your job, you can't stay in the US, your TN becomes void.