4 ms·

I'm a Canadian software developer looking to work in the US in the next few years. If I work on a TN visa and get laid off, do I also have 60 days to find a new

I'm a Canadian software developer looking to work in the US in the next few years. If I work on a TN visa and get laid off, do I also have 60 days to find a new job or leave? Is it less of a hassle for a company to sponsor a TN visa compared to an H-1B, improving my chances of finding a new job compared to an H-1B holder? Also, when applying to US jobs that ask if I need visa assistance, should I say yes or no? Since my understanding is that I apply for the visa at the border, I just need proof of employment.

hervature 4y ago
Yes, TN visa is extremely easy to acquire and one can have multiple TN visas at the same time to work for multiple employers. This is especially relevant to nurses who technically need a visa for each hospital they work at. I am currently on a TN and have had 5 in as many years as I jumped around employers. Each new one requires re-entering the US. One time I flew in from Brazil and got it at Houston when I landed. I have never been denied and happy to answer any questions. When applying, I would say it depends. For startups, it was mostly a casual conversation where I walked them through the process. For smaller places, I wouldn't say you need sponsorship until you talk with a human because no lawyers need to be involved. For large multinational companies, they probably deal with TN all the time so no problem there. EDIT: "Extremely easy to acquire" is doing a lot of heavy lifting. One has to have the professional credentials as required by NAFTA and a job offer in hand. I assume you have both of those things before looking to apply for a TN.
29athrowaway 4y ago
It's a temporary worker visa, not an immigrant visa. Same as H-1B and others. If anyone offered you any guarantee that you will be able to permanently stay in the US with a temporary worker visa, you are being scammed.
- hervature 4y ago
  For Canadians, the TN is up to 3 years and can be renewed an indefinite amount of times. It's basically as close to permanent without actually being permanent. Plus, it gives you an indefinite amount of time to make connections and even realize if you want to stay before going for a path to permanent residency.
  - 29athrowaway 4y ago
    It's classified as a temporary worker visa. That is the intent. It is for the benefit of your employer, not you. You need to be sponsored by an employer / you can only stay as long as you have a job.
    - hervature 4y ago
      I never indicated otherwise. I'm just pointing out that, if your employer likes you and keeps writing you TN letters every 3 years, you can renew the visa for 60 years if you wish. That's "permanent" enough for many people.
  - blindriver 4y ago
    You forgot to mention that every time you cross the border, you can be reevaluated as to whether or not your TN visa is valid. The CBP can choose to deny your TN visa and you could be stuck out of the US until it is cleared up.
    - hervature 4y ago
      Sure, if you don't meet the standards or if you run into an agent that decides to throw the book at you. I always bring my physical diplomas which are large since they are framed. Usually, most agents accept my scanned copy as the frame is annoying to put on their scanner. Some say my scanned copy is not good enough. More importantly, there is nothing that prevents you from retrying later that day when the agents have changed shifts. I would wait a day and then just explain you were missing a vital piece of documentation which you left at home.
      - blindriver 4y ago
        I once crossed the border from Canada with my Green Card, and was accused of not being the person that the GC was issued to. My jaw dropped because I had no way of proving that I was who I was besides all my identification, and that's when I realized how unfettered the power of CBP was. Sometimes they are assholes and bullies for no reason. He went away for a few minutes, and then came back and let me through but I still remember it to this day.
- darth_avocado 4y ago
  H1-B is dual intent.

hervature 4y ago

Yes, TN visa is extremely easy to acquire and one can have multiple TN visas at the same time to work for multiple employers. This is especially relevant to nurses who technically need a visa for each hospital they work at. I am currently on a TN and have had 5 in as many years as I jumped around employers. Each new one requires re-entering the US. One time I flew in from Brazil and got it at Houston when I landed. I have never been denied and happy to answer any questions. When applying, I would say it depends. For startups, it was mostly a casual conversation where I walked them through the process. For smaller places, I wouldn't say you need sponsorship until you talk with a human because no lawyers need to be involved. For large multinational companies, they probably deal with TN all the time so no problem there. EDIT: "Extremely easy to acquire" is doing a lot of heavy lifting. One has to have the professional credentials as required by NAFTA and a job offer in hand. I assume you have both of those things before looking to apply for a TN.

29athrowaway 4y ago

It's a temporary worker visa, not an immigrant visa. Same as H-1B and others. If anyone offered you any guarantee that you will be able to permanently stay in the US with a temporary worker visa, you are being scammed.

hervature 4y ago
For Canadians, the TN is up to 3 years and can be renewed an indefinite amount of times. It's basically as close to permanent without actually being permanent. Plus, it gives you an indefinite amount of time to make connections and even realize if you want to stay before going for a path to permanent residency.
- 29athrowaway 4y ago
  It's classified as a temporary worker visa. That is the intent. It is for the benefit of your employer, not you. You need to be sponsored by an employer / you can only stay as long as you have a job.
  - hervature 4y ago
    I never indicated otherwise. I'm just pointing out that, if your employer likes you and keeps writing you TN letters every 3 years, you can renew the visa for 60 years if you wish. That's "permanent" enough for many people.
- blindriver 4y ago
  You forgot to mention that every time you cross the border, you can be reevaluated as to whether or not your TN visa is valid. The CBP can choose to deny your TN visa and you could be stuck out of the US until it is cleared up.
  - hervature 4y ago
    Sure, if you don't meet the standards or if you run into an agent that decides to throw the book at you. I always bring my physical diplomas which are large since they are framed. Usually, most agents accept my scanned copy as the frame is annoying to put on their scanner. Some say my scanned copy is not good enough. More importantly, there is nothing that prevents you from retrying later that day when the agents have changed shifts. I would wait a day and then just explain you were missing a vital piece of documentation which you left at home.
    - blindriver 4y ago
      I once crossed the border from Canada with my Green Card, and was accused of not being the person that the GC was issued to. My jaw dropped because I had no way of proving that I was who I was besides all my identification, and that's when I realized how unfettered the power of CBP was. Sometimes they are assholes and bullies for no reason. He went away for a few minutes, and then came back and let me through but I still remember it to this day.
darth_avocado 4y ago
H1-B is dual intent.