Which United States Work Visa Should I Apply For?
Speaking with a licensed immigration lawyer is the best way to determine which type of United States work visa you should apply for.
US Work Visas for Canadians
If you are Canadian and you have a job offer in the US, you may be eligible for a TN Visa under the NAFTA agreement. This application process is the fastest way to get a US Work Visa. Learn more about how to get a TN visa.
Do You Want To Work in the US in 2022?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Michael Niren
Michael is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section and the Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
How to work in the US as a Canadian citizen?
If you’re working for a Canadian company and want to transfer to one of its US offices, apply for an L1 visa. Otherwise, to work in the US as a Canadian citizen, get hooked up with a US employer. If you have a college education and are in a “specialty occupation,” like engineering or medicine, they can help you get an H-1B visa. Having this visa allows you to apply for permanent residency. A US employer can also help you get a TN1 visa. This visa, which also requires you to work in a specific field, can be easier and faster to get, but doesn’t allow you to seek residency. For more information from our reviewer on working in the US as a Canadian citizen, including applying for a temporary work visa, read on!
How long do you have to be on a TN1 visa to return to Canada?
For your first TN1 visa, you likely do not have to demonstrate your intention to return when you reapply. But if you have been on the TN1 visa for six to nine years, and are seeking another three year visa, you may be required to show you still intend to return to Canada at some point. You will need to provide documents showing you still maintain ties to Canada, such as bank account statements, a provincial driver’s license, real estate ownership, or having a spouse or other family living in Canada.
What professions qualify for a TN1 visa?
Though the application process is simplified with the TN1 visa, you must work in a specified profession that qualifies you for a TN1 visa. Accountants, architects, graphic designers, urban planners, medical professionals, and scientific professionals with bachelor degrees or higher education are all considered valid professions for this visa. A list of professions covered by NAFTA can be found here .
What is an L1 visa?
Qualify for the L1 visa. This visa is for intra company transfers. This is when a Canadian manager or executive who works at an affiliated Canadian office is transferred to one of the company’s U.S. offices. The employer must be conducting business in the U.S. and have an existing relationship with the Canadian company (affiliate, subsidiary, parent company, etc.). You must work at the affiliated company for at least one continuous year and be going to the U.S. to be a manager or executive to qualify for an L1 visa.
How to establish an intracompany relationship between a U.S. office and a Canadian office?
Your organization may establish an intracompany relationship between a U.S. office and a Canadian office by filing a blanket petition with the USCIS. You are eligible for a blanket petition if: [14]
Do employers pay for visas?
Ask your employer about the payment of the application fee. Most U.S. employers will pay the application fee and the fee for the visa. However, you should discuss the payment of the fees before you complete the application.
How long do you have to work abroad to qualify for a job?
To qualify, the named employee must also: Generally have been working for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years immediately preceding his or her admission to the United States; and. Be seeking to enter the United States to provide service in an executive or managerial capacity for a branch ...
What is a DOD visa?
This visa category applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project , or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
How to qualify for an O-1 visa?
To qualify for an O-1 visa in the motion picture or television industry, the beneficiary must demonstrate extraordinary achievement evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition significantly above that ordinarily encountered to the extent the person is recognized as outstanding, notable or leading in the motion picture and/or television field.
Who is eligible for a TN visa?
Types of professionals who are eligible for a TN Visa are accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers. You may be eligible for TN nonimmigrant status, if:
Can Canadians work in the US?
You are not able to simply move to the U.S. and find employment, but there are several categories of US work Visa’s that Canadians are eligible to apply for and work under. In most cases, a U.S. employer will sponsor you for a visa which will allow you to live and work in the United States.
What is an L1 visa?
This visa is reserved for workers who are classified as managerial or executive, or who work in a “specialized knowledge” capacity. The L1 visa is a “dual intent” visa, so L1 visa holders do not have to maintain a foreign residence while in the U.S.
Can Canadians get a work visa?
Getting a work visa in the U.S. is easier for Canadians than almost any other nationality, and you have several options to choose from. However, most of these options require a job offer and proof of credentials, and some require more substantial credentials than others. The TN visa is the simplest and most accessible option, while the H1B and O1 visa are for highly accomplished individuals and the L1 for individuals in a specific circumstance.
Can Canadian Citizens Work in the U.S.?
Yes, Canadian citizens are allowed to work in the U.S. as long as they have a work visa. Canadian citizens have the following work visa options:
Why is it Important to Get a Legal Work Permit for Canada?
Having a Canadian work visa or permit protects foreigners working in Canada as they get rights and protections in line with Canadian labour laws. Keeping your employment status legal also opens up the door to applying for permanent residency in Canada. Taking the right pathway could not only set you up for a prosperous life in Canada but your loved ones too.
How long is a work permit valid in Canada?
Canada has introduced a temporary work permit program aimed at helping Hong Kong Recent graduates apply for an open work permit that is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires!
What Can I Expect to Earn Working in Canada?
The national average for full-time employees working in Canada is approximately $1,050.59 per week or $54,630 per year. This is of course dependent on your occupation, level of skill, work experience as well as the province or the territory you are working in.
What Do I Do if My Canadian Work Permit is About to Expire?
If your work visa for Canada is about to expire and you want to stay and work in Canada, you can extend your work permit, however, all the details will remain the same, for example, your employer, job, and work location. If you have an employer-specific work permit and you intend to change employers you will need to apply for a new work permit.
What is a temporary foreign work permit?
Temporary Foreign Work Permit - all of your Employer-Specific Work Permit streams can be found under the TFWP. These work permits all have specific conditions including the name of the employer, how long the employment term is, and the address or place of work. There are exceptions such as the open work permit granted to caregivers, which are occupation-specific and do not require an LMIA
How many years do you have to be a graduate to get a work permit?
have graduated with a degree or diploma (minimum of a two-year program) no more than five years before you apply for this open work permit.
Why do foreigners apply for visas?
Thousands of skilled and unskilled foreign workers apply for visas every year, not only because they are looking for new prospects in one of the most multicultural and welcoming countries in the world but because of the job opportunities and the incredible work benefits that come with them.
