4 ms·

Go as a visitor for 6 months and maybe you'll find a wife? :P j/k Have you already found a job? If you manage to get an offer and the company really sees you a

Go as a visitor for 6 months and maybe you'll find a wife? :P j/k Have you already found a job? If you manage to get an offer and the company really sees you as an asset, they may be willing to hire as a consultant on paper and not as the engineer/developer that you are. (probably best if you personally know the execs/founders) This essentially enables you to qualify for the TN status without a degree. But you must demonstrate domain expertise and enough experience in the field to sway the border officer. Business Consultants and (Systems Analysts) are the two NAFTA approved jobs for which you don't need a degree. There may be others, and the conditions may be stricter than normal, so I recommend consulting a lawyer about this. Hope someone with first hand experience chimes in for a better answer, Goodluck!

jlees 16y ago
Your comment on a wife is made in jest, but it's the same advice I've heard from respected lawyers and others experienced in immigration here. It really is the easiest way, even though there's a wait and plenty of paperwork still involved. :/
dotBen 16y ago
TN'er working in US here (also without degree but in a different category) You need a degree to work as an engineer category for the TN unless you have a Post Secondary Diploma or a Post Secondary Certificate + 3 years experience. From my understanding if you qualify for this section you can be employed, you don't need to be a consultant (which is actually more trick to then get). See http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID=147#Ap1603.D.1 http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID... for the categories and requirements (which despite not being a .gov domain is the official site for this, as linked to by state.gov) You need to get a lawyer, or preferably, the company you want to work for does - applying for a visa is tricky and if you really mess up (say the wrong thing, etc) they can stamp your passport with a "do not enter USA ever again" stamp.
- RBr 16y ago
  Lawyers are handy - just don't get scammed by one of the shops that specialize in this if you go that route. I'd get a referral from a good accountant to see a good immigration lawyer - those folks all play golf together. As for the "do not enter USA ever again" stamp... they don't use that as often as we fear they do. You could very easily be questioned more frequently when you cross the boarder, but as long as customs / homeland security is sure that you're not going to be taking a penny out of their economy, they'll just use the "application denied" stamp rather then "do not import" stamp.
  - dotBen 16y ago
    You could very easily be questioned more frequently when you cross the boarder, but as long as customs / homeland security is sure that you're not going to be taking a penny out of their economy, they'll just use the "application denied" stamp rather then "do not import" stamp. When you apply for a TN you do so in secondary checking (ie the interrogation room out the back), where the questions are more firmer and saying something like "I'm looking to move to the US" (a no-no on a non-immigrant visa like TN) may get you that do not import stamp. It's worth being briefed on what to say and what not to say, esp as they will try to trip you up (they do when I go, I've renewed my TN many times). You could get questioned very frequently every time you cross the border but it's done so at the regular check point (they don't issue "do not import" stamps on the spot at the regular check point/CBP desks). Secondary checking is very different experience. I agree with your point on getting a good lawyer - there are many lawyers that will take your case on even if they know you have no chance of getting a visa - especially as so few foreign employees are being employed now. I can recommend mine to the OP/anyone else... he is based in SF and medium-tiered price. My email is in my profile.
- tothevalley 16y ago
  Thanks for the official link, I'd been using wikipedia which is slightly different. If I get further with a company I'll be sure to contact a lawyer. Thanks for the advice.
tothevalley 16y ago
Haven't found a job yet, just started looking last week and I have a few phone interviews set up. If I get an offer I'll have to look at the consultant/analyst option and talk to a lawyer. Thanks for the advice!

jlees 16y ago

Your comment on a wife is made in jest, but it's the same advice I've heard from respected lawyers and others experienced in immigration here. It really is the easiest way, even though there's a wait and plenty of paperwork still involved. :/

dotBen 16y ago

TN'er working in US here (also without degree but in a different category) You need a degree to work as an engineer category for the TN unless you have a Post Secondary Diploma or a Post Secondary Certificate + 3 years experience. From my understanding if you qualify for this section you can be employed, you don't need to be a consultant (which is actually more trick to then get). See http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID=147#Ap1603.D.1 http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID... for the categories and requirements (which despite not being a .gov domain is the official site for this, as linked to by state.gov) You need to get a lawyer, or preferably, the company you want to work for does - applying for a visa is tricky and if you really mess up (say the wrong thing, etc) they can stamp your passport with a "do not enter USA ever again" stamp.

RBr 16y ago
Lawyers are handy - just don't get scammed by one of the shops that specialize in this if you go that route. I'd get a referral from a good accountant to see a good immigration lawyer - those folks all play golf together. As for the "do not enter USA ever again" stamp... they don't use that as often as we fear they do. You could very easily be questioned more frequently when you cross the boarder, but as long as customs / homeland security is sure that you're not going to be taking a penny out of their economy, they'll just use the "application denied" stamp rather then "do not import" stamp.
- dotBen 16y ago
  You could very easily be questioned more frequently when you cross the boarder, but as long as customs / homeland security is sure that you're not going to be taking a penny out of their economy, they'll just use the "application denied" stamp rather then "do not import" stamp. When you apply for a TN you do so in secondary checking (ie the interrogation room out the back), where the questions are more firmer and saying something like "I'm looking to move to the US" (a no-no on a non-immigrant visa like TN) may get you that do not import stamp. It's worth being briefed on what to say and what not to say, esp as they will try to trip you up (they do when I go, I've renewed my TN many times). You could get questioned very frequently every time you cross the border but it's done so at the regular check point (they don't issue "do not import" stamps on the spot at the regular check point/CBP desks). Secondary checking is very different experience. I agree with your point on getting a good lawyer - there are many lawyers that will take your case on even if they know you have no chance of getting a visa - especially as so few foreign employees are being employed now. I can recommend mine to the OP/anyone else... he is based in SF and medium-tiered price. My email is in my profile.
tothevalley 16y ago
Thanks for the official link, I'd been using wikipedia which is slightly different. If I get further with a company I'll be sure to contact a lawyer. Thanks for the advice.

tothevalley 16y ago

Haven't found a job yet, just started looking last week and I have a few phone interviews set up. If I get an offer I'll have to look at the consultant/analyst option and talk to a lawyer. Thanks for the advice!