Hello All,
I am a non-resident Canadian Citizen living in Costa Rica with permanent residency.
In 2008 I traveled to the US a few times to provide 'IT' & Business consulting services for two different companies (most of my work is done online but I was asked to do some on-site work).
The last work trip I made was a split trip. First I went to LA for a week for one company then I went to Canada to visit my family then I was going to Miami through Dallas to work for the other company. On my way out of Canada in Vancouver I had to go through pre-flight immigration where I was passed on to Secondary for a more in-depth look at my "consulting" services.
Basically my entry was going to be rejected and I was able to "Withdraw My Entry Application", from what the US officer said it was a much better thing to do vs being rejected. This happened in April 2008.
It's important to note that only one of my clients was mentioned during my discussion with the officer. I never brought up the other client in LA.
Anyway I have not gone back to the US for business since, but I have while "in-transit". Last time while passing through I was given a hard time going to the USA from CR because my "prints" are on file due to the application withdraw and I was passed on to secondary. They were super nice and let me go acknowledging that it was just that and not a warrant, they did take the opportunity to ask me some questions about where I was going and asked to see my boarding pass. This happened in August 2009.
I guess I need to contact USCIS about that and have them do something, but i'm sure they won't do much unless I get a visa and can prove that the situation has changed.
Now that leads me to my next question. I am a small profit share partner in a new company which is US based. I am being asked to attend meetings, possibly requiring me to travel once every 2 months or so to discuss business plans, strategy etc.
My 'position' is Head Developer / Programmer / IT / CTO whatever you want to call it. We asked an immigration lawyer in the US and their response was that one of the partners of the company would need to "sponsor" me to be able to get me a sponsored visa.
What are your guys /gals opinions on this? What should I do? How should I proceed?
The officer that attended me when I had to withdraw my application for entry told me I should apply for a H2B visa.
I am going to be talking to the lawyer next week but i'd love to have more information and opinions before proceeding down a certain path.
Also if I am there for one week every 2 months, am I required to pay tax in the USA?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Nick
I am a non-resident Canadian Citizen living in Costa Rica with permanent residency.
In 2008 I traveled to the US a few times to provide 'IT' & Business consulting services for two different companies (most of my work is done online but I was asked to do some on-site work).
The last work trip I made was a split trip. First I went to LA for a week for one company then I went to Canada to visit my family then I was going to Miami through Dallas to work for the other company. On my way out of Canada in Vancouver I had to go through pre-flight immigration where I was passed on to Secondary for a more in-depth look at my "consulting" services.
Basically my entry was going to be rejected and I was able to "Withdraw My Entry Application", from what the US officer said it was a much better thing to do vs being rejected. This happened in April 2008.
It's important to note that only one of my clients was mentioned during my discussion with the officer. I never brought up the other client in LA.
Anyway I have not gone back to the US for business since, but I have while "in-transit". Last time while passing through I was given a hard time going to the USA from CR because my "prints" are on file due to the application withdraw and I was passed on to secondary. They were super nice and let me go acknowledging that it was just that and not a warrant, they did take the opportunity to ask me some questions about where I was going and asked to see my boarding pass. This happened in August 2009.
I guess I need to contact USCIS about that and have them do something, but i'm sure they won't do much unless I get a visa and can prove that the situation has changed.
Now that leads me to my next question. I am a small profit share partner in a new company which is US based. I am being asked to attend meetings, possibly requiring me to travel once every 2 months or so to discuss business plans, strategy etc.
My 'position' is Head Developer / Programmer / IT / CTO whatever you want to call it. We asked an immigration lawyer in the US and their response was that one of the partners of the company would need to "sponsor" me to be able to get me a sponsored visa.
What are your guys /gals opinions on this? What should I do? How should I proceed?
The officer that attended me when I had to withdraw my application for entry told me I should apply for a H2B visa.
I am going to be talking to the lawyer next week but i'd love to have more information and opinions before proceeding down a certain path.
Also if I am there for one week every 2 months, am I required to pay tax in the USA?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Nick
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