How to approach IT recruiters for TN visa jobs

S

smoorthy

New Member
Hello all,
Can someone please help me with the following queries:
  1. When approaching recruiters for job opportunities, should you let them know you are a Canadian citizen and TN visa is what you will apply under?
  2. Also should you look for full-time opportunities only? Does TN allow contract roles(like 6 months to 1 year). I am guessing visa can be complicated for contract roles. anyone has any experience in this area?
Looking for honest responses. Thanks for your help.
 
smoorthy wrote in another thread:
>Hey guys,
>I am new to this forum and looking for some general tips for finding work in the US(specifically Bay area). I am based out of Toronto but my >husband works out of US and hence I am considering moving there. Can someone please be kind enough to provide me with some general tips to >finding work:
>
  1. How do you approach recruiters? Any recommendations for recruitment firms from you guys? I am looking for work as a Business Analyst and now I have actively started networking on LinkedIn.
  2. How long did the whole process take approximately(from interviewing to moving)
  3. Do companies expect you to fly in for a FTF interview? If they do, do they take care of expenses?
>
>Thanks and really appreciate your time and help.

@smoorthy your questions very generic, you need to investigate TN status more and come back with more specific questions.
please read https://immigration.com/visa/tn-visa/tn-visa
or many other lawyers websites explain TN in detail. (http://www.grasmick.com/handbook.htm )
To qualify for TN status, the alien must possess the necessary credentials to be considered a professional in one of the Schedule 2 categories. A bachelor’s or higher degree is usually required, unless Schedule 2 lists alternative qualifications....

1. Talk to the recruiters and explain your credentials, they should let you know if they have employers looking for your experience.
2. It depends on many factors, for me it was 3 months.
3. I suspect they would want a FTF interview, for me they did pay for all interview expenses.
 
I am an Electronics Engineer working in the Engineering field with 4 year Engineering Degree from Canadian University and many years experience..
My spouse came with me on TD status and has many years business experience with 4 year Business Degree from Canadian University and could not find any employers wanting to sponsor on TN or H1B status (did not qualify for any of TN categories).
My spouse is now working as we obtained our Green Cards.

You need to determine if Business Analyst qualifies for any of the TN categories, I don't think it does.
 
Thanks, So the "Business Analyst" term is not present under NAFTA, but it does fall under the existing categories(Computer System Analyst) and (Management Consultant). So I am hoping the company that hires me will provide the title needed. Fingers crosses. But I am very early in this process, so only time will tell.

Thanks again
 
smoorthy said:
Hello all,
Can someone please help me with the following queries:
  1. When approaching recruiters for job opportunities, should you let them know you are a Canadian citizen and TN visa is what you will apply under?
  2. Also should you look for full-time opportunities only? Does TN allow contract roles(like 6 months to 1 year). I am guessing visa can be complicated for contract roles. anyone has any experience in this area?
Looking for honest responses. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
When you apply for jobs online and in the questionnaire they ask you if you require sponsorship, answer NO. And when the questionnaire asks you if you are authorize to work in the US, answer YES. TN is actually not a visa, but a status. If you have TN status, then you are authorized to work in the US.

In the interview, you will need to explain this as they may be reluctant to even consider you if they think you require sponsorship. Always assume they would not know this. I've dealt with HR personnel at my current job in the US who do not even know what TN is and what the requirements are. Unless you work for a big company that frequently hires Canadians, then expect them to NOT know these details about TN.

TN is meant for temporary work as it has non-immigrant intent. Therefore, this will be perfect for contract work. If it is full-time employment, you will be required to renew your TN status every 3 years. And every 3 years, your employer will need to give you a TN employment letter for CBP. Unless of course, they will file on your behalf to USCIS.
 
smoorthy said:
Thanks, So the "Business Analyst" term is not present under NAFTA, but it does fall under the existing categories(Computer System Analyst) and (Management Consultant). So I am hoping the company that hires me will provide the title needed. Fingers crosses. But I am very early in this process, so only time will tell.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

Computer Systems Analyst and Business Analyst are two different roles with different responsibilities. The former is more technical and the latter is more functional. I've even read some people's experiences who have applied under Computer Systems Analyst that CBP will require any applicants on this job category to have a BSc in Computer Science. Of course, your mileage may vary and you may encounter a border agent who is not that strict. Your best bet is Management Consultant and this, I've heard, is the most scrutinized job category under NAFTA.
 
Thanks for all your responses, @TNewbie. I will definitely keep all this in mind. I did read somewhere that BA can fall under the Management Consultant's category. I am hoping of course the lawyer in the company can hopefully determine the right category. I am hoping I have a smooth process, rest only should wait and see how things pan out.
Thanks for your reply again
 
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