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Canadian Working in the U.S.
- Thread starter LeetViet
- Start date
If your company will sponsor you, they can get your a TN or H1 visa... TNs are specifically for Canadians & Mexicans, and there's no limit how many the US government gives out each year... Whereas with H1 visa there's a set limit, so towards the end of the year you might not even get one even if your company sponsors you...
You also need to be a 'professional' to get these visas, and proof to US immigration you are qualified for the job...
As far as bank accounts, you just need picture ID and US SSN... Once you get ur visa you can apply for your SSN, and you can use your Canadian DL + passport to open up bank accounts...
You also need to be a 'professional' to get these visas, and proof to US immigration you are qualified for the job...
As far as bank accounts, you just need picture ID and US SSN... Once you get ur visa you can apply for your SSN, and you can use your Canadian DL + passport to open up bank accounts...
Contact Skoorb.
He deserted Canada a few years ago
He deserted Canada a few years ago
Did this recently. The TN Visa (or permit) is by far the simplest way, but ONLY if you met the criteria. The process comes out of the NAFTA Agreement and hence applies only to Canadians and Mexicans; the very simple TN Permit process I used is available only to Canadians, I understand. It contains a specified list of professions, mostly university-degree-based. Basically IF you have a job offer that REQUIRES the professional qualifications (must be clear in the job description), and IF you can prove you have the qualification, you will get a TN Permit. For example, I am a Chemist by profession with university degrees in that field, and my job required a Chemist or Chemical Engineer.
Check out the INS websites for info on this. But the best source I found was my nearest US Customs Port of Entry. The people who actually do this stuff told me everything I needed to know. They pointed out the short easy way, for example. Although the INS website talks about applying for an TN Visa through their offices, it turns out the border guys themselves actually issue a TN PERMIT on the spot when you present yourself at the border, and this is exactly the same as a TN Visa. I talked to them ahead of time to be sure I knew what documents they would need. Then, at their suggestion, I FAXed all the docs several days beforehand for the official to check out, then phoned later to be sure it was all in order. When I arrived at the border all the papers were ready to go - ZAP!
A TN Permit (or Visa) is good only for one year. You must apply before that deadline for a renewal, with almost the same supporting documents (updated), including a letter from your employer showing that you are still employed in a job requiring your qualifications. But these permits can be renewed without limit, so you just keep on renewing as long as you work in the USA. If you lose or quit your job, you must leave the USA and surrender your TN Permit, since it requires that you have a qualifying job.
For other ways to work and live in the USA legally I can't say much. I know almost all have quotas per year, per country of origin, per job type, etc. There are no such quotas on the TN Permits. Also there are no requirements that a prospective employer demonstrate they were unable to find qualified Americans for the job, whereas other processes may have that requirement.
To open bank accounts, etc, you MUST get a Social Security Number. You MUST have it to be employed and pay taxes. And lots of businesses (e.g., electrical utilities and phone companies) use it in their account records. You get a special class of SSN because you are not a US citizen. So arrange to get that number as quickly as you can, so you can get accounts set up.
WARNING: as far as loans and charge accounts are concerned, forget it for at least a year! I tried to get a VISA card through my first new US bank with a local branch. They automatically check your credit rating through the major US rating agencies, and guess what? You have NO credit record, and hence no rating. I told them to check my Canadian records, and they said they would not even try that. So until some rating can be created over a space of time, nobody will talk to you about credit in any form. Your friendly neighbourhood bank at work!
I found a VISA card solution a different way. It happens I have been dealing with the Royal Bank in Canada for years. They have a subsidiary in the USA called RBC Centura, mainly operating in the south-eastern USA for "snowbirds". I opened a chequing account with them and asked them to issue a VISA card based on their knowledge of my records with the Canadian Royal Bank. Sure, no problem, and it worked. It even worked out well for on-line access. I had been using on-line access to my Royal Bank accounts in Canada for years. I set up access to the new RBC Centura account by computer, and then their systems allowed me to get access to both sets of accounts with one sign-in. They even allowed me easy transfers of money between Canadian and US branches of Royal Bank.
By the way, bill payments and bank-to-bank transfers in the USA are not as easy as in Canada - there are so many independent US banks that they don't co-operate well, at all.
Check out the INS websites for info on this. But the best source I found was my nearest US Customs Port of Entry. The people who actually do this stuff told me everything I needed to know. They pointed out the short easy way, for example. Although the INS website talks about applying for an TN Visa through their offices, it turns out the border guys themselves actually issue a TN PERMIT on the spot when you present yourself at the border, and this is exactly the same as a TN Visa. I talked to them ahead of time to be sure I knew what documents they would need. Then, at their suggestion, I FAXed all the docs several days beforehand for the official to check out, then phoned later to be sure it was all in order. When I arrived at the border all the papers were ready to go - ZAP!
A TN Permit (or Visa) is good only for one year. You must apply before that deadline for a renewal, with almost the same supporting documents (updated), including a letter from your employer showing that you are still employed in a job requiring your qualifications. But these permits can be renewed without limit, so you just keep on renewing as long as you work in the USA. If you lose or quit your job, you must leave the USA and surrender your TN Permit, since it requires that you have a qualifying job.
For other ways to work and live in the USA legally I can't say much. I know almost all have quotas per year, per country of origin, per job type, etc. There are no such quotas on the TN Permits. Also there are no requirements that a prospective employer demonstrate they were unable to find qualified Americans for the job, whereas other processes may have that requirement.
To open bank accounts, etc, you MUST get a Social Security Number. You MUST have it to be employed and pay taxes. And lots of businesses (e.g., electrical utilities and phone companies) use it in their account records. You get a special class of SSN because you are not a US citizen. So arrange to get that number as quickly as you can, so you can get accounts set up.
WARNING: as far as loans and charge accounts are concerned, forget it for at least a year! I tried to get a VISA card through my first new US bank with a local branch. They automatically check your credit rating through the major US rating agencies, and guess what? You have NO credit record, and hence no rating. I told them to check my Canadian records, and they said they would not even try that. So until some rating can be created over a space of time, nobody will talk to you about credit in any form. Your friendly neighbourhood bank at work!
I found a VISA card solution a different way. It happens I have been dealing with the Royal Bank in Canada for years. They have a subsidiary in the USA called RBC Centura, mainly operating in the south-eastern USA for "snowbirds". I opened a chequing account with them and asked them to issue a VISA card based on their knowledge of my records with the Canadian Royal Bank. Sure, no problem, and it worked. It even worked out well for on-line access. I had been using on-line access to my Royal Bank accounts in Canada for years. I set up access to the new RBC Centura account by computer, and then their systems allowed me to get access to both sets of accounts with one sign-in. They even allowed me easy transfers of money between Canadian and US branches of Royal Bank.
By the way, bill payments and bank-to-bank transfers in the USA are not as easy as in Canada - there are so many independent US banks that they don't co-operate well, at all.
Like everyone said, TN visa is the easiest but you need a company to sponsor you. If you have a Bachelors degree that is half the battle. But the job titles are very specific -- i.e. my first job was as an Applications Engineer (had a Chemical Engineering degree), job I recently obtained was as a Computer Systems Analyst (MIS degree). If the job title had been Computer Programmer then I would be out of luck -- computer programming jobs don't qualify for TN visas.
Bottom line you'll need to get a company to sponsor you, have them write a letter that states your the best qualified for the job etc, and the title needs to fall under the right classification.
Take a look here: TN Visa Info
As far as credit goes, you might have problems. When I tried to get a credit card back in 1998 (first year in the US) they denied me right away. I called up Bank of America to find out why and they obviously could not find any credit records. BUT I then asked them if they could check my Canadian credit rating with my Canadian SSN and they were able to! Was able to get a $5000 credit limit on my Visa right away. I guess it all depends on who you talk to etc.
Bottom line you'll need to get a company to sponsor you, have them write a letter that states your the best qualified for the job etc, and the title needs to fall under the right classification.
Take a look here: TN Visa Info
As far as credit goes, you might have problems. When I tried to get a credit card back in 1998 (first year in the US) they denied me right away. I called up Bank of America to find out why and they obviously could not find any credit records. BUT I then asked them if they could check my Canadian credit rating with my Canadian SSN and they were able to! Was able to get a $5000 credit limit on my Visa right away. I guess it all depends on who you talk to etc.
StageLeft
No Lifer
As a Canadian, if you qualify for a TN visa, then you can get a quick letter from your new employer to sponsor you for it and you grab it at the border on the way in for about $50 IN CASH (has to be cash, check on prices). There should be guidelines on the net on how to get it but basic qualification is a university degree and a matching job.
Only with a valid working visa or TN can you get a social security number. First day you get to the US you will go to a local social security office to get a SSN with your proof of employability. In some period of time (days or weeks) you will get a SSN and can then get a bank account. In the past you could call up within 1-2 days for your number. Not sure if you can now.
TN is good for a year but you can renew it indefinitely with same employer.
Employers may think you need the SSN befor you can start working but this is not true AFAIK, but don't look to a company's immigration-ignorant HR to know ANYTHING. As long as you've asked for it, you can start working. If they want to they could hold your pay until it shows up (or rather, offer this to them).
Getting credit is hard. You may want to try some banks that can check your canadian credit. Bankofamerica has done this with me and my wife but it's a real hassle of a process getting a card in this country without established credit. There are so many deadbeats that you can be making $60k/year but if you have no credit you will find it hard to get even a $200 secure credit card.
Only with a valid working visa or TN can you get a social security number. First day you get to the US you will go to a local social security office to get a SSN with your proof of employability. In some period of time (days or weeks) you will get a SSN and can then get a bank account. In the past you could call up within 1-2 days for your number. Not sure if you can now.
TN is good for a year but you can renew it indefinitely with same employer.
Employers may think you need the SSN befor you can start working but this is not true AFAIK, but don't look to a company's immigration-ignorant HR to know ANYTHING. As long as you've asked for it, you can start working. If they want to they could hold your pay until it shows up (or rather, offer this to them).
Getting credit is hard. You may want to try some banks that can check your canadian credit. Bankofamerica has done this with me and my wife but it's a real hassle of a process getting a card in this country without established credit. There are so many deadbeats that you can be making $60k/year but if you have no credit you will find it hard to get even a $200 secure credit card.
Thanks for all the great advice and information! I didn't think of visiting the U.S. embassy at all.
Unfortunately, I don't have a university degree as I don't know what I want to do and decided not to pursue post secondary education -- at least for now. I have relatives (sister/brother-in-law, lots of cousins) in the U.S. though. I was hoping I could live in the U.S. and do menial work for a bit or work for them.
Unfortunately, I don't have a university degree as I don't know what I want to do and decided not to pursue post secondary education -- at least for now. I have relatives (sister/brother-in-law, lots of cousins) in the U.S. though. I was hoping I could live in the U.S. and do menial work for a bit or work for them.
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