Canadian Friend wants to move here, where to start?

[LeprechaunSean 0]

I am a US citizen, my friend is a Canadian citizen, married. He wants to move permanently to the US. No family relationship between us, and he has no relatives here. He has a job with a friend of mine lined up already, regardless of how long it takes for him to get here. Is there a way for him to do this? A certain type of visa, etc...He is a skilled tradesperson but doesn't have a bachelor's degree in anything. Any help is much appreciated.

[Inky 1,110]

Look into TN visa or work visas. If he does not meet the requirements then no he cant.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Here is the US Gov website:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1274.html#3

Here is the appendix with a list of professions and degree qualifications:

http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/en/view.aspx?x=343&mtpiID=147#Ap1603.D.1

Honestly with the current unemployment rate here in the US - a US employer would be hard pressed to prove that your friend is the ONLY qualified person for the job(especially a skilled trade) and that there is no US person they can hire instead. His chances are slim unless he's a world renowned rocket scientist.

[Jojo92122 1,924]

I am a US citizen, my friend is a Canadian citizen, married. He wants to move permanently to the US. No family relationship between us, and he has no relatives here. He has a job with a friend of mine lined up already, regardless of how long it takes for him to get here. Is there a way for him to do this? A certain type of visa, etc...He is a skilled tradesperson but doesn't have a bachelor's degree in anything. Any help is much appreciated.

A foreign worker who wants a work visa must have a US employer willing to sponsor him/her.

A US employer who wishes to hire a foreign worker must obtain a Dept. of Labor certification that no US worker qualifies or is available to do the work. This is not a cheap process. Will the employer go through this for your friend IF your friend qualifies for a work visa?

You can understand that the US does not let in foreign workers when there is an American who can do the job right? Works against our collective best interests to let in foreign workers when Americans are unemployed.

To be frank, your friend chances are pretty slim to none for getting a work visa.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Jojo92122

[LeprechaunSean 0]

thanks for the replies guys.....My friend here in the US who is willing to hire my canadian friend has government contracts, and here in phoenix he has an extremely hard time getting people that can pass government background checks. My friend in canada is clean as a whistle and very experienced in the same trade. The main problem I can see is that most of the qualifications on the TN visa require a bachelor's degree.

Jojo, where would I go for info on the dept of labor certification?

[warlord 73]

thanks for the replies guys.....My friend here in the US who is willing to hire my canadian friend has government contracts, and here in phoenix he has an extremely hard time getting people that can pass government background checks. My friend in canada is clean as a whistle and very experienced in the same trade. The main problem I can see is that most of the qualifications on the TN visa require a bachelor's degree.

Jojo, where would I go for info on the dept of labor certification?

Not sure about work visas, but for the TN status most will required degrees and some with work experience. Generally a TN Status will not be granted for individual employers, usually only for companies. So unless your friend in Phoenix that wants to hire him has an official company then he'll probably be out of luck. Also with the TN status, it is temporary and getting clearance with a TN is very difficult depending on the level of clearance needed.

You would probably instead need a visa over a TN to get a clearance and then you would have look at the H1-b visa and such. But the cap has already passed on those I believe anyways...

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.canuckabroad.com/forums/us-visas-and-immigration-vf20.html Post on their, same grumpy guy that answers the questions on Sebrinski tax forums, answers questions their as well! 1 USA border guy and a few others do as well.

Security Clearances take awhile, even for CDN's. I'm in the midst of the process right now, and even had Security Clearances back in Canada! Best of luck

[Jojo92122 1,924]

thanks for the replies guys.....My friend here in the US who is willing to hire my canadian friend has government contracts, and here in phoenix he has an extremely hard time getting people that can pass government background checks. My friend in canada is clean as a whistle and very experienced in the same trade. The main problem I can see is that most of the qualifications on the TN visa require a bachelor's degree.

Jojo, where would I go for info on the dept of labor certification?

Start her with the State Dept. which is in charge of work visas; http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1271.html#2

[Udella&Wiz 325]

http://www.canuckabroad.com/forums/us-visas-and-immigration-vf20.html Post on their, same grumpy guy that answers the questions on Sebrinski tax forums, answers questions their as well! 1 USA border guy and a few others do as well.

Security Clearances take awhile, even for CDN's. I'm in the midst of the process right now, and even had Security Clearances back in Canada! Best of luck

ONLY certain types can be obtained by non USC as well. A skilled Trades person needs a clearance? I suppose that's possible depending on the gov't contract

[Flames9_RN 358]

ONLY certain types can be obtained by non USC as well. A skilled Trades person needs a clearance? I suppose that's possible depending on the gov't contract

Depends where they are working, may be just more of a background check. Quite often they have Security/Escorts watching over them