Which Visa to get

[TerryDe]

I presently work for Bell Canada as a installer/repair technician. I have meet someone in Georgia and we will be looking to marry in 2011. I am applying to telecommunications companies like AT&T for a full time job until we marry. I am not sure which visa I will need a tn visa or h1. They are not an affiliate so I can't get a L1. So I am confused to which one I will need. Any thoughts

[Dremani]

For what your profession an H1b would probably fit but I would save myself the trouble and get legally married first and worry about the big hoopla lateron if my main concern was just to be with the person to be close to them. If you don't want to do that then you'll have to find a company that is willing to sponsor you for an H1 visa which will probably take a bit of time.

[TerryDe]

We are in the mindset to wait to marry. I will be going down to do a test for AT&T in Nov. It is something I will have to ask if they will sponsor me for the H-1B. I guess it could take a couple months to get one.

[Dremani]

Dremani wrote:
For what your profession an H1b would probably fit

I need to retract my previous post. Repair technician/Installer is not a specialty occupation when I looked it up on another forum. I'm not able to locate it in the list of specialty occupations.

I don't think your profession would fit under another category other than straight to greencard which will take years upon years. Your best bet would be marriage at this point but I know you mentioned you had your plans set in stone so...

[Reba]

not sure your occupation would fit in to the qualifications for an H1B really. Plus, I think with the H1B any employer is required to send application to the USCIS, and show that they cannot find a similarly qualified US citizen or legal permanent resident to do the job.

[TerryDe]

I have been doing this job for 10 years now and have skills in different areas of the business. I saw a EB-3 visa also I wonder if it would be good to try for that one also.

-- Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:24 pm --

I see technician is under the scrutinized list

[Dremani]

EB-3 takes years to get even as a skilled worker. The priority date for this visa is currently at "June 01, 2002" meaning those whose petitions went in prior to that date have been given a visa number.

If your company applies under that category for you on your behalf, that means they love the work you do so much they are willing to wait years until your visa becomes current, thus waiting for your petition to become approved.

Again, the marriage right now would be the best thing if your priority is to move to the U.S soon.

[Reba]

for information on marriage based immigration, go to www.visajourney.com ALL the information you need to know is there already