Trying to move to the US November 08

Come one state N to VA! We are in north Richmond area, it's very nice except for the infernal heat in the summer. Small city, traffic is tolerable in the city and nonexistent in the 'burbs where we are. Lots of history here, ocean, mountains, friendly people. House prices took a big jump 2 years ago, fortunately we just beat that.

It took 2 years for my wife to make a few friends and another 2 before she started feeling comfortable here. She still talks about moving back, but less often. If we avoid talking about politics we get along well with Southerners.

In a few short years our son will be ready for college, and we will have to decide something then. I prefer Canadian universities but the US has a better job market. Maybe he can get the best of both, like I did.

I assume you are in Raleigh area? You must have watched the 'Canes steal the cup from the righteous Oilers!

Do you get an automatic green card if your spouse is American? Did you find a job in NC to your liking?

Your employer in the US should look into getting you into the country legally. Go to the US Department of Homeland Security webpage (google it), and although it is information overload, you should be able to get a good understanding there. Direct your US employer there also, if they don't already know what to do.

I assume you are in Raleigh area? You must have watched the 'Canes steal the cup from the righteous Oilers!

Do you get an automatic green card if your spouse is American? Did you find a job in NC to your liking?

Nope, nowhere near Raleigh actually. We're kind of in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do. An hour and a half west of Charlotte, and an hour east of Asheville.

No, there is no such thing as an automatic green card. There is no such thing as automatic anything with US immigration. It took us well over a year to get through the maze of paperwork and interviews before I could move here legally. And that was after we'd already fought with Canadian immigration for a year and a half! Then it was another 10 months after I got here with a K3 before I had a green card.

We're in the foothills, where Furniture used to rule. Now the unemployment rate is about the highest in the state, and the pay is crap. The job I have is tolerable (receptionist at a furniture factory), but we're on a work slow down, and they've cut me back to 4 days a week. As an hourly paid employee, that means I don't get paid for our mandatory day off and this may continue through August or it may not. All indications point to possibly longer.

I make less money now than I did in Toronto in 1986 right out of high school! If we had a mortgage to pay, we'd probably go hungry. I make about half what a similar position would pay back in Canada.

Yeah, that's true about the H1B. Very hard to come by. I actually spoke to an immigration lawyer a month or so ago and she said the H1B Visa's were gone in one day! crazy.so unfortunately the only thing is either the TN Visa, which is for specific professions.
Good luck!

Even for those who had their H1-B applications in on the first day, only 15% got them in the 'lottery' they did.

Vocational Counselor is on the NAFTA Occupation list. Obtain a job offer in your field and apply for the TN Visa. You apply for the TN visa with your documentation and a TN Visa Employer/Application Letter. This letter is different than an offer letter -- since the Application letter is addressed to the Immigration Officer stating how you qualify for the TN Visa and a request for the TN Visa.

You can find more information about preparing the letter and common mistakes to avoid on our website.

Good luck!