Canadian looking for US citizenship

S

Syncmaster2004

New Member
Im a canadian looking to move,work and live in the US (california).
Iv been researching this on have become very confused as to what the process involves and what documents i need to file and what order and can this be done from canada (3 months) prior to moving to the US if receiving approval via mentioned documents ?.

Also iv seen mention of finger printing and fees of about $500 US ( no mention if they are returned if application should fail !).

My profession isn't listed as one of special trades to get special aproval, although i do consider my 16 yrs experience as a jounyman equivalent.

My profession also is not a licensed trade, ie having a apprenticeship program and trade certification all though that was attempted a fews ago but failed due to the total number of trade people involved and a lack of interest from employers ( they would only have to pay more money as a result). ( ie in vancouver/lower mainland area maybe 30 people like my self are considered journeyman( one third of those are rad shop owners.))

Im a radiator repairman, this requires experience in a number of fields including welding (gas and arc), air conditioning ( only part that does require licensing), pluming ( generaly speaking we do all the same things as a plumber does, we'er just better at it and dont require a licence :) ), may others as well.

As a radiator repairman i would work on (automotive & industrial), gas/diesel fuel tanks, heaters, radiators , oil coolers, in sizes ranging from 2 inch square up to 4foot x 7foot x 4 inchs and anything in between.

I just want to move to the US and be a poductive & honest citizen with the least amount of trouble and in the shortest time.

PS I dont even need a passport to visit the US so why does the process of becoming a citizen seem so difficult.

Alot of questions i know, sorry...( confused and dased ) .
 
Obtaining US Citizenship is a long and arduous process. About the only way I could see you getting US Citizenship is to be admitted to the US with a work visa (one that has dual intent) and then join the queue to become a Legal Permanent Resident (i.e., get a 'Green Card'), then wait five years from the date of approval of your Green Card until you can apply to become a US Citizen.

However, given the professional qualifications that you have outlined, you might find getting an employment-based visa difficult, if not impossible. Also, I don't believe from what you have said that you qualify for a TN visa (NAFTA) either, because the list of professions and qualificiations that applies to is quite specific.

Marriage to an American Citizen (bona fide) is another way to obtain Citizenship. Once you are married, you still need to apply for and obtain a Green Card, but then you only have to wait three years, I believe, to apply for US Citizenship.

You might find this section of the USCIS Web site helpful. Getting Permanent Residency is a step that must precede Citizenship:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/faqsgen.htm#greencard

Unfortunately, there are no 'special provisions' between the USA and Canada regarding Legal Permanent Residence, or Citizenship. (I know, I am a Canadian, and it has taken me many years just to get as far as a Green Card). While it may be true today that you do not need a passport to cross the border, they are planning to close that loophole quite soon. One of the only 'special perks' I've found extended to Canadians is that, if you get an approved employment-based visa, you do not need to physically have the visa put into your passport. I had an O-1 approval, and all I needed to do was show up at the Port of Entry with my O-1 approval letter and my passport, and I was given an I-94 valid for the length of the O-1 approval. Other nationalities must visit the US embassy in their home country, generally be interviewed and then have a physical visa affixed into their passport. I'm not sure if this is going to change for Canadians in the future or not -- there is certainly a lot of talk about making the US/Canadian border much more strict.

Good luck, eh?
 
A very obvious reason that the process is very difficult is the sheer number of worldwide people seeking immigrant status in the US, compared to the very limited number of grants of such status each year. So using common sense say the US legally admits 1 million immigrants a year, but the demand (i.e. number people actively seeking immigrant status) runs into the tens of millions at any given time, what is the result going to be ? The process becomes very selective, not in a discretionary sort of way, but in a very structured and rigid sort of way. Those willing to jump through the hoops and willing to wait long periods of time eventually succeed. That's my 2 cents.
 
Unfortunately i dont think ill find an employer who will sponsor me :( , if US rad shop owners are anything like the canadian ones. It looks like ill just have to move to ontario (canada) and see what pops up there.

Tobad though, iwas looking forward to retirement in the US as well, i guess ill have to look for somewhere else to vist/holiday/work and eventually retire like Jamaica or Barbados ( they arent US controlled are they....Please ,please say NO.....)
 
Syncmaster2004 said:
Unfortunately i dont think ill find an employer who will sponsor me :( , if US rad shop owners are anything like the canadian ones. It looks like ill just have to move to ontario (canada) and see what pops up there.

Tobad though, iwas looking forward to retirement in the US as well, i guess ill have to look for somewhere else to vist/holiday/work and eventually retire like Jamaica or Barbados ( they arent US controlled are they....Please ,please say NO.....)
Click to expand...

Why would you want to retire in the US anyway, you have better benefits in Canada especially on the medical side.
 
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