Post-Doctoral Researcher needs visa HELP!

Hi all,

I've been reading the forums here quite a bit recently and have learned a lot about the different visas and their ups and downs. However, it seems as though no one has asked the following questions before (at least, I don't think so!):

- My wife and I are finishing our PhDs and have found positions in Boston as post-doctoral fellows/researchers in Neuroscience and Genetics.

- We are both Canadian citizens and plan to stay in the US for 3-6 years. If we get positions/jobs there, we will stay for longer but not more than 10 years.

- We are looking for the most flexible visas possible. (ie: we'd like to travel between Canada and the US without problems, as well as travel to places like Europe, S.America, Asia without hassles. As Boston is near the border, we could always fly out from Canada without using the visa, though I'm not sure how kosher this would be.)

- Our new labs are willing to sponsor us on either the J1 or the TN-1 visa, and are willing to switch us to the H1B after 3 years.

- Finally, we would like to purchase a home in Boston ASAP. While it has been a pain to find a mortgage with a J1 visa, I have found a bank that is willing to do it for us.

So, my question to you all is: which visa should we go for? The J1 or the TN-1?

Depends on the length of your stay really, J-1 might make more sense, depends what they put on the entry permit for the visa.

TN-1 might make more sense if you're going to be out of the country on a regular basis. Simple to apply for, and clearly you're only there temporarily if you keep leaving.

Before you ask, make sure you read this as well: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/p151/README.html

Bear in mind TN-1 is not a visa, it's an entry category, you apply at the POE. Which is why it's simpler, assuming the guy you talk to at the POE knows what he's doing.

Also bear in mind the derivatives, i.e. TD or J-2. If only one of you enters to work, the other cannot work on TD but it is possible with special permission under J-2.

If it were me I think I'd go with a J-1 if they want you to be there more than a year, you don't have to keep on re-applying.

I'm sorry. I should have mentioned that we like to travel (for vacations only)! We will be moving to the US (semi)permanently.

We won't be leaving for any longer than 2-3 weeks at a time, and at most 2 times per year.

Does this change your answer at all? And also, do you have a link from the Canadian gov't regarding our situation?

Thanks!
Nader

I edited the post. It does sound as though J-1 is your best bet. Actually it works like F-1 for Canadians, you apply at the border, there is no visa for J-1.