4 ms·

As someone in the Sisyphean green card system (processing taking forever for the initial application, 6-7 years to go after that for the actual green card, best

As someone in the Sisyphean green card system (processing taking forever for the initial application, 6-7 years to go after that for the actual green card, best case); I am really glad that Canada is offering better alternatives. I bet if they emphasize this angle (quicker permanent residency for non-contract employees), they will get a decent amount of talent that otherwise is stuck grinding away in Silicon Valley for the same employer. To anyone of Indian nationality seeking a job in North America, and interested in permanent residency – strongly consider the Canada alternative, for education as well as jobs. Unless the weather means a lot to you, ask your company if they have a Canada office where you can work when you start out. Things will be way easier.

mahyarm 12y ago
How about pay? Job offers were literally almost half compared to Seattle 2hrs away in Vancouver, and life is cheaper in Seattle.
- parennoob 12y ago
  There is a cost-benefit tradeoff to every decision. Analyse the tradeoff, and make your decision. Less glibly, it might be worthwhile to target companies who already exist in SV/Seattle. I find it hard to believe that Facebook (the example given in the article) forced its engineers to accept a 50% pay cut to go to the Vancouver office.
  - mahyarm 12y ago
    It wasn't the same company saying that I'd have to take half, but offers from separate companies that were different.
blutoot 12y ago
Working for 6-7 years for the same employer is now considered "grinding away"??
- derefr 12y ago
  Sure; mostly because that's seven years where you have no chance of getting a "horizontal promotion" by switching employers. Meaning, then, that your career trajectory is completely at your employer's whim--which usually means "stagnant."
- acdha 12y ago
  Just to second derefr's point, that's 6+ years where you MUST stay at that job and your employer knows they don't have to keep you happy. I've heard more than a few stories about this being publicly discussed when deciding who works on some unrewarding slog. Imagine spending the better part of a decade knowing that if you want to do more than, say, Sharepoint upgrades you'll have to do it in your own time.
  - parennoob 12y ago
    To be fair, it is possible to change jobs when your application is ongoing. Just tedious. Tedious enough to be a strong disincentive.
    - blutoot 12y ago
      Can anyone realistically make a meaningful impact in a big company in less than 6 years, especially when one is just starting out in the industry? Also isn't it only fair that if a company that's gonna spend all this money on changing your fortunes forever (i.e. sponsor your green card), then it should be able to get as much value out of you as it can? So the burden falls kinda on the employee to make the best of that period and propel her career.
      - parennoob 12y ago
        Leaving aside the somewhat patronizing nature of your comment ("can anyone make a meaningful impact in < 6 years", "changing your fortunes forever"), I'm simply glad there is more choice for employees out there regarding who to work for, and am advising people to take a hard look at it. If I work my ass off for 1, 4, or 6 years, I would much rather it be for an optimal outcome, regardless of who my employer is, or where they are located. If Canada is possibly offering a better deal, people should know about, and look seriously at them. This might even possibly lead to happier and more productive employees. Don't you agree?
ambrood 12y ago
6-7 years? Thats a very generous estimate even for EB2-India right? I've been told to expect 9 years unless the immigration reform passes.
- parennoob 12y ago
  Correct, that is a best-case estimate (updated to say this).
cesarbs 12y ago
My wife and I are seriously considering moving to Canada after she graduates from college. We love Washington, but the Green Card system is just awful. We estimate it will still take us 3-4 years till we get ours (we're Brazilians on EB-3 - side note: I never thought I'd regret dropping out from grad school, but now I do, every single day). Until then, our stay here is at the mercy of not getting laid off.
- parennoob 12y ago
  Being at the mercy of anyone is never a great idea, although it might be a regrettable necessity sometimes. So just so you know, after your adjustment for status is filed, and pending for more than 6 months, you are supposed to be able to port the green card to a new employer. Read up more about this process, and be ready to use it if necessary at the appropriate time. But definitely, weigh the costs and benefits, and do seriously consider Canada.

mahyarm 12y ago

How about pay? Job offers were literally almost half compared to Seattle 2hrs away in Vancouver, and life is cheaper in Seattle.

parennoob 12y ago
There is a cost-benefit tradeoff to every decision. Analyse the tradeoff, and make your decision. Less glibly, it might be worthwhile to target companies who already exist in SV/Seattle. I find it hard to believe that Facebook (the example given in the article) forced its engineers to accept a 50% pay cut to go to the Vancouver office.
- mahyarm 12y ago
  It wasn't the same company saying that I'd have to take half, but offers from separate companies that were different.

blutoot 12y ago

Working for 6-7 years for the same employer is now considered "grinding away"??

derefr 12y ago
Sure; mostly because that's seven years where you have no chance of getting a "horizontal promotion" by switching employers. Meaning, then, that your career trajectory is completely at your employer's whim--which usually means "stagnant."
acdha 12y ago
Just to second derefr's point, that's 6+ years where you MUST stay at that job and your employer knows they don't have to keep you happy. I've heard more than a few stories about this being publicly discussed when deciding who works on some unrewarding slog. Imagine spending the better part of a decade knowing that if you want to do more than, say, Sharepoint upgrades you'll have to do it in your own time.
- parennoob 12y ago
  To be fair, it is possible to change jobs when your application is ongoing. Just tedious. Tedious enough to be a strong disincentive.
  - blutoot 12y ago
    Can anyone realistically make a meaningful impact in a big company in less than 6 years, especially when one is just starting out in the industry? Also isn't it only fair that if a company that's gonna spend all this money on changing your fortunes forever (i.e. sponsor your green card), then it should be able to get as much value out of you as it can? So the burden falls kinda on the employee to make the best of that period and propel her career.
    - parennoob 12y ago
      Leaving aside the somewhat patronizing nature of your comment ("can anyone make a meaningful impact in < 6 years", "changing your fortunes forever"), I'm simply glad there is more choice for employees out there regarding who to work for, and am advising people to take a hard look at it. If I work my ass off for 1, 4, or 6 years, I would much rather it be for an optimal outcome, regardless of who my employer is, or where they are located. If Canada is possibly offering a better deal, people should know about, and look seriously at them. This might even possibly lead to happier and more productive employees. Don't you agree?

ambrood 12y ago

6-7 years? Thats a very generous estimate even for EB2-India right? I've been told to expect 9 years unless the immigration reform passes.

parennoob 12y ago
Correct, that is a best-case estimate (updated to say this).

cesarbs 12y ago

My wife and I are seriously considering moving to Canada after she graduates from college. We love Washington, but the Green Card system is just awful. We estimate it will still take us 3-4 years till we get ours (we're Brazilians on EB-3 - side note: I never thought I'd regret dropping out from grad school, but now I do, every single day). Until then, our stay here is at the mercy of not getting laid off.

parennoob 12y ago
Being at the mercy of anyone is never a great idea, although it might be a regrettable necessity sometimes. So just so you know, after your adjustment for status is filed, and pending for more than 6 months, you are supposed to be able to port the green card to a new employer. Read up more about this process, and be ready to use it if necessary at the appropriate time. But definitely, weigh the costs and benefits, and do seriously consider Canada.