Hold both a TN and an H-1B???

puterguy

Registered Users (C)
I think that there shouldn't be anything wrong with holding 2 visas for 2 different pieces of work in the US, should there? (Aside from the fact that it's a heck of a lot of work to be doing! ;) )

The H1B would be for my primary employer who sponsored me a while back. The TN is a thought I'm having related to allowing for some part-time, side-work. It would be self-employment, too, for an LLC I would form (since H-1B holders CAN own companies). It seems that TN in that case should be much easier to obtain than H-1B, as there is no requirement for the high level of labor documentation. I would seemingly need to have a position for myself and note that it requires a baccularate degree.

Is this a reasonable approach to ensuring I have "work authorization" for both pieces of work? Has anyone else been masochistic enough to pursue this? (I can imagine some Canadian consultants who have business "back home" but also working in the US might need something like this.)

(P.S. I would certainly not try this without solid legal guidance!)
 
I have the similar question. :cool:

I am a canada citizen and works in US for a company by holding TN. Can I work for another company at the same time? what status should I apply? another TN or a H1B, or any other suggestion? Any suggestion would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.
 
The Trade NAFTA visa and the H-1B are for specific companies only.
If you are planning to go for your Green Card I would keep the H-1B since it
allows you dual intent. Meaning you can apply for permanent green card status with it even though it is a nonimmigrant visa. The Trade Nafta does not allow dual intent. There are a few people who have gone onto a green card from a Trade NAfta but I would not recommend it. It could open you up to a whole mess of problems if not handled correctly.
If you want to work for more then 1 company you would need a specific H-1B for both.
Until you are at the stage in the Green Card application where you can get an EAD work permit I don't see there being another way.
People correct me if I'm wrong. Once you have an EAD you can work for whomever you please.
 
puterguy said:
I think that there shouldn't be anything wrong with holding 2 visas for 2 different pieces of work in the US, should there?

Note: TN is not a visa, its a status.

You can have multiple TN's or multiple H1B's, but you can't have 1 of each at the same time. You can't claim 2 different statuses.
 
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