Entry level work on a TN?

[jmzhu1989 0]

Hi all,

I am Canadian and my boyfriend is American. We want to live and work in the same city, whether it's in Canada or the US. We're both willing to move around, but work authorization is posing a problem. We're both new grads with very limited part-time work experience, so I guess sponsorship is out of the question. I have a bachelor's degree in commerce (business administration) and I'm completing a double degree masters in international business and marketing, which I'll get in November at the earliest. My boyfriend has a minor in computing. I've looked into the TN visa and I still have a few doubts:

1) If I'm interested in an eligible profession but my degree is not directly related, am I still eligible?

2) Does the employer have to prove that he/she wasn't able to hire anyone qualified in the US, or is that requirement waived due to NAFTA?

Neither of us has a lot of "specialized" work experience. I guess my only true advantage is that I'm fluent in English, French and Mandarin and intermediate in Spanish, but I can't quite figure out what type of organization would benefit from those languages.

Also... Do either of us risk being denied entry at the border if we state that we're entering to visit a significant other? Will that lead to suspicion of intent to immigrate and such? I called the US border before entering and was told that as a Canadian, I'd be allowed 6 months in the US in a given year without a visa, but once I got there, the officer told me that HE could decide that I've stayed for too long (even within those 6 months) and kick me out.

Given our situation, would anyone have any advice? Are there options other than the TN that we should be exploring? Does it sound like it'll be easier for me to move to the US or the other way around?

Thanks a lot for your time!

[DavidLovesPheap 6]

Canadians and Americans can cross to visit pretty easily, as long as you don't indicate any intent to get married or immigrate on your visit. A lot of us on VJ have lots of experience with Spousal and Fiance(e) visas. Either of those would get you both in the same location and able to work, provided you want to get married

[Harsh_77 718]

You guys will have to figure out what city works for you but I am guess the prob is going to be on either side as where you will be able to live and work your BF will need authorization and vice-versa.

You did not mention what your education background is, just knowing the languages is not going to help you find the work.

TN can be difficult specially with slow economy, yes even for TN employeer does need to justify why he cannot hire a USC or US resident and why he would need to hire someone from outside.

[Boiler 45,318]

I thought TN had similar requirements to H1b?

My stepson has similar qualification and ended up working for Enterprise, not sure that would qualify for a TN.

I would think an IT qualification was a better bet.

[Harsh_77 718]

I thought TN had similar requirements to H1b?

My stepson has similar qualification and ended up working for Enterprise, not sure that would qualify for a TN.

I would think an IT qualification was a better bet.

You are correct TN has same requirement as H1b.

[jmzhu1989 0]

Thank you for your input.

@Harsh_77: I have a business degree as stated above, and my boyfriend has a background in computing.

[Harsh_77 718]

Thank you for your input.

@Harsh_77: I have a business degree as stated above, and my boyfriend has a background in computing.

If you and your bf want to live on US side than he would be ok but you will have to find a job that would sponsor you for your TN.

It is not impossible but might be difficult to find an employer who is willing to sponsor someone with little or no experience.

The most important thing is first you guys got to zero in onto what city you guys want to live in US or Canada and then respective person will have to look into getting the work permit for that country.

[jmzhu1989 0]

Thanks! Do you happen to know if it would be easier for him to move to Canada instead? That's something I'm still exploring. Like you said, we should zero in on a city, but I think I'd like to know which country is most likely to accept us first.

[Harsh_77 718]

Thanks! Do you happen to know if it would be easier for him to move to Canada instead? That's something I'm still exploring. Like you said, we should zero in on a city, but I think I'd like to know which country is most likely to accept us first.

Unfortunately I am not aware of the regulation in Canada. I hope the link can help http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp

[Boiler 45,318]

BritishExpats has a Canada forum.

[Dakine10 5,452]

TN can be difficult specially with slow economy, yes even for TN employeer does need to justify why he cannot hire a USC or US resident and why he would need to hire someone from outside.

The employer does not have to justify why they cannot hire a US employee. That is the whole point of having a work status tied to NAFTA. There is no process with Tn status to even do this. If you are a professional that meets the criteria for one of the Tn categories it's very straight foreward. To enter in Tn status, you show up at the border with a job offer letter and (if approved) get Tn status.

The only provision regarding US workers is that there cannot be a labor disruption at the place of employment. In other words the Tn cannot be used to replace workers during a strike or lockout. That's it. No prevailing wage condition. No labor certification or equivalent.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Dakine10