Ask HN: Has it become harder for Canadians to get work in the US on a TN visa?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16980245

by xil3 • 8 years ago

73 41 8 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

xil3• 8 years ago

I'm also interested to find out what employers in the US think. Would you still consider resume's that come from Canadians? I seem to remember it being easier to get responses (before Trump). Has the climate changed? This is geared more towards the technical space.

pm90• 8 years ago

I don't think it matters much for mid-size to larger corporations. What I fear this hurts the most is startups or small firms that operate on tight timelines and under severe cash crunch and don't have the resources or time to jump through the hoops of the arcane visa sponsorship process.

That being said: if a company wants you badly enough, they will make it happen ;-).

keithwhor3• 8 years ago

Again, IANAL but: from experience, the TN Visa process is relatively painless (happens right at the Port of Entry, takes an hour at most) and most times can be done without a lawyer. If a lawyer is needed (suggested for first-timers), you can use services like UpCounsel [1] that are relatively inexpensive and not a huge time-sink for companies (resource constrained or not).

[1] https://upcounsel.com/

keithwhor3• 8 years ago

Yes, Canadian resumes are some of the best resumes employers can get. Tip for other founders: if you're not hiring Canadians, you're missing out on a massive economic opportunity. Canadians are typically underpaid for technical roles in Toronto / Vancouver by a factor of 50%, at least.

Canadians who haven't yet worked or done co-op terms in the US often think it's much more difficult to get a job in the Bay Area than it actually is. Tip for employees: the single best thing you can do for your career in technology is work in the Bay Area, even if only for a short time.

I'm not sure how much the climate has changed, and I'm not a lawyer, but I can tell you that generally: if you have a degree, a portfolio and work experience, things have a high probability of working out well if you apply to US jobs.

appleiigs• 8 years ago

Amazon seems to agree. Announced opening an office in Vancouver. To have an estimated 3000 employees.

mattnewport3• 8 years ago

I think there's a decent number of us who don't see a 50% pay increase as enough compensation for living in the Bay Area over Vancouver.

memebox• 8 years ago

Yes the government is asking for RFE - Request for Evidence after filing for Visa's on TN's which was rare in the past, this of course extends the time is takes to get a Visa.

dev_throw• 8 years ago

What sort of positions is this for? Does this apply for folks getting their TN Visa at the airport/land border?

cylinder• 8 years ago

Uscis is doing that to a lot of change of status petitions.

For TN status, you can apply through CBP at the land border.

Always skip USCIS where possible.

jdavis703• 8 years ago

I don't have experience with the TN, but the place I used to work at had an easy time getting L-1 visas during the Obama administration, but during the Trump administration it seemed like the government wanted a lot of extra supporting documentation.

gesman• 8 years ago

I'm the lucky one who got green card only 1.5 yrs after getting TN-based job in 2015.

I think lots is determined by the pull factor - how much US company wants you.

Agree with the fact that equally skilled, similar-timezoned, english-speaking Canadians are severely underpaid and US/tech is a good opportunity to equalize this.

personjerry• 8 years ago

How can you get a green card from TN visa?

infinitone• 8 years ago

You can't. I'm guessing he started off as TN then moved to H1B then to GC.

chriswoodford3• 8 years ago

In my personal experience, it did get a lot harder from 2014 to 2016. My first TN-1, in 2014, was approved very easily with no issue. Had all the standard documentation and there was no ask for additional evidence.

Renewing in 2016 didn't go as well... I was initially denied at the Port of Entry, had to get a lawyer to coordinate an appeal. That took about 30 days, but eventually was granted a 3 year TN. I worked with Peter Roberts who does AMA's here from time to time on the appeal. Actually can't recommend him enough to any Canadian's looking to work in the US!

stealthefocus4• 8 years ago

What category was the job, engineer or CSA?

chriswoodford3• 8 years ago

In 2014 we did it under Management Consultant. In 2016 under Software Engineer.

kat• 8 years ago

FWIW - My lawyers said renewing your TN Visa, when you live in the States is expected to be difficult - as opposed to living in Canada, and crossing the border every day for work.

My company heavily suggested I switch to h1b simply because they expected my TN visa renewal to be denied (I am now on a h1b1)

chriswoodford3• 8 years ago

I learned that my mistake was crossing back into Canada and doing the renewal at the Port of Entry. Apparently you can do TN renewals directly through the Department of State, while still being in the US. That's how we did it for the appeal and everything went smoothly.

pshc• 8 years ago

My workplace is submitting H1-B applications for TN status employees earlier than normal, probably due to uncertainty around TNs.

That said, my latest in-person TN application wasn’t more difficult than before.

huangc10• 8 years ago

I've been getting my TN Visas at YVR for the past 8 years. Always had to go to secondary and wait for an extra 1 hour. Nothing too different recently.

That being said, it also depends on how your application package is formatted, what position you're applying for, and your demeanor when applying. All these could affect your application process.

stealthefocus4• 8 years ago

What position is your TN for?

eg1111• 8 years ago

I've found each TN application to be largely affected by the customs officer. I've had smooth sailing going through Vancouver, as long as all my documents are in order. I've had a lot of trouble going through Toronto (with the same documents). Just some anecdotal application location advice!

gf263• 8 years ago

I'm here on a J-1 visa and it was pretty easy. Didn't get much of a questionnaire at the border.

Ask HN: Has it become harder for Canadians to get work in the US on a TN visa?

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