Tricky Canada to USA employment questions (green card, uscis, application, money)

[Brian Shepherd]

Hi there,

I am interested in finding information on moving to LA. In the event I get an 'offer letter of employment' from a potential employer, how long does the green card application take?

Secondly, what does this mean for my wife and three kids....for surely they will not be staying in Canada, my wife works from home typing transcripts making good money for two companies in Canada. She NEVER has to go in to work, and it's all done via internet and email.

How can we both get green cards for us and our kids?

Thanks

[STT Resident]

Have you gone to the USCIS website? There's a link to it in the first "sticky" on this forum page which will answer most of your questions. Good luck!

[Threestep2]

You cannot "get a green card". Your US employer has to petition for it.

[Brian Shepherd]

Originally Posted by Threestep

You cannot "get a green card". Your US employer has to petition for it.

Yes I realize that, but if I get an employer to petition for me, and accepted, then the question becomes, what about my wife and kids?

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by Brian Shepherd

Yes I realize that, but if I get an employer to petition for me, and accepted, then the question becomes, what about my wife and kids?

Again go to the USCIS site!

[Brian Shepherd]

D'oh!

Ok, I will look harder

[Brian Shepherd]

Ok I found the answer http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...00b92ca60aRCRD

THANKS for the Link

Now to address the question about my wife retaining her current job (which pays very well), typing transcripts from hom via email.

She has no need to go to a work-place, and works from the computer in her home.

Can she be a permenant resident of the USA (v-visa) and continue to be employed by two Canadian companies?

(I sure hope so)

[STT Resident]

I can't answer this but it's a premature question as I'm sure you realize that getting any kind of a working visa or resident status isn't going to happen overnight. IF you obtain status, your wife doesn't automatically get it and you're realistically looking at a possible time frame of a couple of years after your acceptance where she's concerned. Keep reading! Cheers!

[Brian Shepherd]

Immigrant Visa for a Spouse (IR1 or CR1)

The how long it takes question on the link above does not state a specific (nor a ballpark) timeframe......for surely they can't expect me to be apart from my spouse and kids for any length of time can they?

[STT Resident]

I think you'll find that IF you get a job and a visa, your wife and children will certainly be allowed to accompany you but your wife won't be able to work without her own visa.