Relocating to Chicagoland

How long employment-based sponsorship takes depends on which category you're eligible for, EB-3 Skilled Worker typically takes about 3.5 years for the visa number to come up and another six months or so to adjust status. EB-1 and EB-2 usually have visa numbers available immediately, I would have thought especially with the economic situation at the moment.

Pros and Cons. Chicago VS Toronto.

Please help

Chicago is way more expensive compared to Metro Toronto. The closer you go to Chicago downtown, the more expensive it gets. The Northwest suburbs are an excellent area to live and would likely be afforded by someone in your earning situation. In particular, Naperville is a really superb and desirable location.

Chicago is way more expensive compared to Metro Toronto. The closer you go to Chicago downtown, the more expensive it gets.

I'm not sure that's entirely true. Prices are comparable as far as rent goes. Chicago is not a particularly expensive city to live in housing wise (as compared to, say, San Francisco or New York). Chicago has a major housing glut so I'm sure that prices for condos/houses has dropped pretty drastically given the economy.

Toronto and Chicago are very similar cities (in terms of aesthetics and climate) and are often compared. Chicago is probably not as clean as Toronto, nor are the people as polite. Toronto's public transit system is significantly better than Chicago's, and I find Toronto's downtown to be more inviting and walkable than Chicago's. However, Chicago's waterfront is a million times better than Toronto's sad and ugly waterfront area.

Toronto and Chicago are very similar cities (in terms of aesthetics and climate) and are often compared. Chicago is probably not as clean as Toronto, nor are the people as polite. Toronto's public transit system is significantly better than Chicago's, and I find Toronto's downtown to be more inviting and walkable than Chicago's. However, Chicago's waterfront is a million times better than Toronto's sad and ugly waterfront area.

Actually, I found the people in the Midwest were some of the friendliest that I have ever met. If I had my choice of where to work and live, it would be Indiana!

My prospective employer asked what my visa preferences are being a Canadian citizen (H1, L1 or TN) with the possibility to change status through EB3 moving forward. I am a bit concerned about the sponsorship process given that there is no garantee that the company will fullfill its obligations in the end. I might end up being a TN or L1 with my family in Canada waiting for sponsorship or in the states on a restricted visa.

Should I pursue L1 basically hired here in canada and then transferred to the states. H1 and wait till october to start working in the states or TN and risk being denied re-entry if the employer eventually starts GC based on EB3?


Thank you all in advance

It appears you have several options here, which is always a good thing.

I think your solution here might depend on how you actually feel immigrating to the U.S.

Bear in mind, both H1B and L1 carry a dual intent which means essentially immigration is a possibility. The TN is only non-immigrant intent and immigration from a TN is inherently more difficult than from a dual-intent status, although not impossible.

If you go the L1 route, L1 demands more detailed paperwork, which could be intimidating depending on the individual, but the work authorization is processed right at the border. It does offer the advantage of being dual-intent.

Seeing how your employer is offering relocation (pretty good in this economy) it might not hurt to have a quick consult with an immigration lawyer who might be in an even better position to understand your options and/or situation.

My advice if your intention is to immigrate to the U.S., do not attempt it from the TN, not in this economic environment where there may exist a slightly more anti-immigrant attitude on the part of the DHS and they end up denying your application.

It tends to happen in a bad economy where jobs are less abundant and U.S. Immigration tends to take a tougher line on potential newcomers. Some have actually compared it to a pendulum that swings back and forth. When the economy is good, immigrants tend to be more welcome and when the economy goes sour, the opposite is true.

Should I pursue L1 basically hired here in canada and then transferred to the states. H1 and wait till october to start working in the states or TN and risk being denied re-entry if the employer eventually starts GC based on EB3?

L-1 is the best one because your spouse can get work authorization, however to get it you must have worked for the sponsor in Canada for at least a year. L-1B is valid for a maximum of five years. Requires "specialized knowledge", which means bespoke knowledge about the company and its procedures which a new hire would not have, not academic knowledge necessarily. L-1A is for managers and is valid for up to seven years. And it's dual status.

H-1B I personally think is best avoided if you can because it's "the" work permit and has more regulations attached to it than any of the others (and Congress is more likely to fiddle with it), e.g. proof of qualification, labour certification, quota, portability, term of lay-offs, proof of job progression ad nauseum. Valid for three, renewable for another three, spouse and kids get H-4 which is a pretty useless category. The only real advantage of it is that it's dual status.

TN-1 is the easiest one to get if your job title fits the NAFTA list and you have the relevant qualifications and it's much easier to change employers because you only really need a comprehensive job offer letter from them. Plus there's no finite limit on how many times you can get it, although you have to show the stay is "temporary". But it's not dual status.

L-1 is the best one because your spouse can get work authorization, however to get it you must have worked for the sponsor in Canada for at least a year. L-1B is valid for a maximum of five years. Requires "specialized knowledge", which means bespoke knowledge about the company and its procedures which a new hire would not have, not academic knowledge necessarily. L-1A is for managers and is valid for up to seven years. And it's dual status.

Thanks once again for the useful info and prompt response. I think I'll go with the L1 option. Be employed in Canada for atleast a year an then possibly relocate.

Look up the regs because there is a fair bit to it, they must have a Canadian office, you must be directly employed there.

Look up the regs because there is a fair bit to it, they must have a Canadian office, you must be directly employed there.

Exactly. they have a Canadian office. It is just a matter of being employed for a year or two and eventually proceed with the transfer.

-- Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:33 pm --

H-1B I personally think is best avoided if you can because it's "the" work permit and has more regulations attached to it than any of the others (and Congress is more likely to fiddle with it), e.g. proof of qualification, labour certification, quota, portability, term of lay-offs, proof of job progression ad nauseum. Valid for three, renewable for another three, spouse and kids get H-4 which is a pretty useless category. The only real advantage of it is that it's dual status.
.[/quote]


Employer seems to be leaning towards H1B. Can my wife work on a H4?


Best regards,

wala