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I'm admittedly pretty ignorant to immigration laws. I am on an F-1. Upon completion of my studies, i will do a year of OPT and then hopefully stay on a TN visa (I'm Canadian).
My questions are:
What is the process for getting a TN visa? I'm assuming the employer applies? Is it something that is easily done? How long does a TN last for? Does it only apply for that specific employer, or am I free to change jobs on that same visa, or would I need a new one?
What would be the benefit of me applying for permanent residency, as opposed to staying on a TN? How would I go about doing that, and what are the timeline/guidelines? I have read mention of a "lottery", what is that? Do permanent residents pay in state tuition?
After gaining permanent residency, is it just a matter of time until I would be granted citizenship? How does it work?
I read in another thread about extending OPT another year. How would one go about doing that?
I plan on staying in the US for at least another 3-4 years and possibly more. i'd ideally like to stay longterm, buy property and settle down somewhere in the midwest.
Last edited by missiyaki; 11-02-2014 at 07:05 PM..
Go to the USCIS website which is linked in the first "sticky" on this forum and you'll find answers to most of your questions right from the horse's mouth. You can also download all the forms from that site.
thanks! the USCIS site did answer most of my questions. I still have the following, and would also be interested to hear from anyone who went through a similar process and their experience with with. These are my remaining questions:
What would be the benefit of me applying for permanent residency, as opposed to staying on a TN? what are the timeline/guidelines? I have read mention of a "lottery", what is that? Do permanent residents pay in state tuition?
After gaining permanent residency, is it just a matter of time until I would be granted citizenship? How does it work?
thanks! the USCIS site did answer most of my questions. I still have the following, and would also be interested to hear from anyone who went through a similar process and their experience with with. These are my remaining questions:
What would be the benefit of me applying for permanent residency, as opposed to staying on a TN? what are the timeline/guidelines? I have read mention of a "lottery", what is that? Do permanent residents pay in state tuition?
After gaining permanent residency, is it just a matter of time until I would be granted citizenship? How does it work?
1) TN is meant to be temporary, so at some point, if you just keep renewing TN status, a CBP officer having a bad day could deny you entry for using the TN as a replacement for permanent residence.
2) The lottery is the diversity (DV) based green card. I don't think Canadians can apply.
3) Permanent residents pay in state tuition. TNs don't, so that's another advantage.
4) If you gain permanent residence through employment you need to wait for 5 years and then file for citizenship with USCIS. If you gain it through marriage to an American, you only need to wait three years.
1) TN is meant to be temporary, so at some point, if you just keep renewing TN status, a CBP officer having a bad day could deny you entry for using the TN as a replacement for permanent residence.
2) The lottery is the diversity (DV) based green card. I don't think Canadians can apply.
3) Permanent residents pay in state tuition. TNs don't, so that's another advantage.
4) If you gain permanent residence through employment you need to wait for 5 years and then file for citizenship with USCIS. If you gain it through marriage to an American, you only need to wait three years.
thank you very much for your answers!
regarding permanent residency through employment, how does that work? would it be a case of me approaching my employer and telling them that I wanted to apply, and then it would be up to them whether they wanted to help me out or not? i mean, is this a thing that employers often do for individuals on tn visas, or are they hesitant etc? would they expect me to sign a contract stating that i would stay with that company for x amount of time, or would they just do it? just trying to understand the process.
another question that i have tried to google but didnt find an answer to, is can I hold three citizenships? I carry both a canadian and british passport, could i also carry an US one as well?
I'm admittedly pretty ignorant to immigration laws. I am on an F-1. Upon completion of my studies, i will do a year of OPT and then hopefully stay on a TN visa (I'm Canadian).
My questions are:
What is the process for getting a TN visa? I'm assuming the employer applies? Is it something that is easily done? How long does a TN last for? Does it only apply for that specific employer, or am I free to change jobs on that same visa, or would I need a new one?
What would be the benefit of me applying for permanent residency, as opposed to staying on a TN? How would I go about doing that, and what are the timeline/guidelines? I have read mention of a "lottery", what is that? Do permanent residents pay in state tuition?
After gaining permanent residency, is it just a matter of time until I would be granted citizenship? How does it work?
I read in another thread about extending OPT another year. How would one go about doing that?
I plan on staying in the US for at least another 3-4 years and possibly more. i'd ideally like to stay longterm, buy property and settle down somewhere in the midwest.
The employer gives you a letter indicating a job offer with a specific length of time up to 3 years including salary and a comprehensive statement of duties assigned. There are specific job titles but try to avoid the Management Consultant title since that is so open to interpretation that despite what letter an attorney crafts, it can be denied by CBP. A computer programmer is not a TN category while Computer Systems Analyst is a TN category. An RN is a TN category. You have to bring the requisite degrees (original documents only) and transcripts or statements of experience if degrees are not required to show you are qualified. Fail to bring original documents can get the application denied.
Also your TN Visa is tied to a particular employer, it doesn't transfer. If you want to change jobs, your new employer needs to be willing to sponsor you for a new work visa. On a PR you are free to change jobs.
Also your TN Visa is tied to a particular employer, it doesn't transfer. If you want to change jobs, your new employer needs to be willing to sponsor you for a new work visa. On a PR you are free to change jobs.
Well, there is the change of employer form that can be filed from within the US, or you can just go to the border and apply with an offer letter from a new employer. From that standpoint, transferability is a non-issue. It doesn't require a previous application, there is no quota... so even if it doesn't transfer, just go and get the visa with the new employer if/when you find one.
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