TN visa to other visas

Hi all,

So I am Canuck living in NYC. I have been in the US for the past 3 years on a B-1 and B-2 visa, to attend medical school (the school doesn't qualify for F visas).

I will be starting post-graduate training (residency) in July, and residency programs sponsor either a J-1 or H-1 visa, but that is not really the issue. In order to make some money and stay in the US to be near my girlfriend, I found some work that would fall under TN status employment.

So now I am going to apply for TN status at the border, but I am worried that it may jeopardize my chances of getting the routine J1 or H1 visa in July. It will be a change in employers. Does anyone have experience with this?

The purpose of the TN visa is just to keep busy and make some extra money, but the ultimate goal is obviously the post graduate training under the J1 or H1 visa.

I am looking at a copy of the I-129 my employer submitted to successfully change my status from TN to H1B at the same company. In Part 2 your H1B petitioner would have to select 2(a) for new employment (since your TN does not involve a prior petition), then 5(b) "Change the persons status and extend their stay since they are now in the US in another status." In Part 3, where the H1B petitioner is asked to provide information on the applicant (ie you) they only ask for your current nonimmigrant status. They do not ask for any information on your current employer, nor do they ask if the petitioner is changing employers; I honestly don't think it is an issue. The instructions for submitting I-129 as well as the form itself are available on USCIS' website, and others from this site should be able to fill in the blanks as well.

Wonderful! Thanks for the reply about the H1-B. Hospitals that sponsor residents prefer the J-1 visa to the H1-B. I think that going from a TN to J1 is an unusual request that shouldn't have any trouble getting approved, because it is a step backwards. But, obviously, I am going for the H-1 visa, but I like to keep my options open.

Again, thanks for the reply.