Trying to move to the US November 08

eddycurrents
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 42

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:54 pm

 

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As for companies hiring Canadians, I didn't have a problem with my company getting me a TN, although I had to do all the legwork myself since our HR department had no clue (TNs were brand new at that time). I am a highly experienced and specialized engineer though.

My wife is a nurse and she was passed over by a few smaller companies after they interviewed her. We strongly suspect it was because they didn't want to be bothered with a visa. In fact, she met one of her interviewers a year later at a conference who confirmed that.

She finally found a job at a big hospital with a beefier HR department who had no problem with foreigners and visas. In fact she is now highly valued there and hobnobs with VPs all the time. They are sponsoring our green cards, which is costing them around $10k. So there you go.

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1487
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:14 am

 

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I married an American actually, and I've been here almost 3 years and don't like it very much at all. I'd really like to go back to Canada, and maybe we will some day. That was our original plan, but my husband has a juvenile record that was mis-filed so Canadian Immigration deemed him inadmissable.
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eddycurrents
CanuckAbroad Regular



Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 42

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:51 am

 

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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?

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CeeJay81
New Member



Joined: 07 Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Location: Phoenix

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 4:44 pm

 

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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.

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1487
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:10 am

 

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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.
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I miss Shreddies!

Are you in the US or Canada? Want to make some extra money? Check out My Watkins website for some awesom products and business opportunity.

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nicole_vezina
New Member



Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Location: Toronto

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:23 pm

 

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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!

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canuckmom
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Jun 2007
Posts: 14

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:19 pm

 

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

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TNVisaExpert
Moderator


Canadians helping Canadians

Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 147
Location: San Diego, California

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:08 pm

 

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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!
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Complete TN Visa information and A Step by Step TN Visa Application Kit to obtain your TN Visa.
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