Work visa to Green Card

[MattyRS 0]

My name is Matthew I am a Canadian citizen I will be 18 in September born in Toronto I have wanted to join the US Marines since I was 12 I am very determined to reach this goal as the us offers more travel with the military opposed to the Canadian military I have a family friend that owns a business that operates here in Canada and in brooklyn new york she has offered to have me employed at her brooklyn branch so it would be easier for me to obtain a green card she said i would work there for a year before i go apply for a green card and said it would not take as long to get one based on the fact I am canadian she said i would stay in new york for 6 months then come back visit for a couple weeks then go back i have an aunt who is an american citizen living in new york who says i can stay with here if i find a way to get over there I am new to the whole immigration thing but i know you can only visit for 6 months a year so im confused at how her plan would work in me obtaining a green card to then join the us marines could anyone explain this to me or show me how to go about this?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Yeah that is not how it works.

First, you would need to get a proper work visa- on your Canadian visitor privileges, you cannot live or work in the USA, not get a greencard, and your aunt cannot help you get a greencard either. So, first I would recommend college- either in the US if you can afford it, or Canada. Then try for a work visa, and from there try to convince an employer to sponsor you for a greencard.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Matthew,

Your friend has no idea what she is talking about. Sorry, but she cannot help you get a work visa or a green card.

It's not that simple for her to offer you a job and for you to get it and then get a green card. It doesn't work that way.

First, any US employer who wants to hire a foreign worker must get a Dept. of Labor certification that the employer could not find a US worker and that is why the employer needs a foreign worker. The US will not let you take a US job when it can go to someone already here. It's stupid for politicians to let their citizens (who can vote) be unemployed while they let an employer bring in foreign workers (who do not vote).

Second, not anyone can get a work visa. Most work visas require a college degree. You're 18 so you probably do not have the requisite education for a work visa.

Third, work visas are limited. The H1b visa supply for the entire year were allocated in less than a week. It's highly competitive.

Fourth, a work visa does not give you the right to apply for a green card.

Your friend needs to talk to a US immigration lawyer because she has no idea what she is talking about.

A non-citizen must have a green card to join the US military. Unfortunately, your friend is not a path to a green card for you.

Edited August 25, 2013 by aaron2020

[aaron2020 11,651]

P.S. Do not just go the US and start working for your friend in the hope that you can obtain a green card. This is illegal. This is immigration fraud. You could be arrested and deported for working illegally in the US. This will ruin any chance you may have to get a green card and join the US military.

[MattyRS 0]

Thank you all very much