TN Visa: Company lawyer is suggesting to apply as an Engineer but I only have a CS minor

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New Member
Hello,

I recently got a job offer from a US company for a software engineering role.

I have a BBA degree with a CS minor, but the lawyer is still suggesting to apply under the "Engineer" profession. Will this cause any issues? I do have 2.5 years of software development experience, not software engineering experience.

Thank you
 
Yeah, it will cause denial. You are not an Engineer by education. Your experience doesn't count for TN in any event, unless you are going to be a Management consultant.
 
CS is not engineering, even if you had a degree in CS.

All non-engineers who apply under engineering are denied.
 
Thanks for your help. At this point, I don't know how to proceed. I brought up these concerns with the lawyer and he told me that "it should be fine". I am worried because this has implications for future opportunities as well. Once i apply under the engineer category, i cannot easily change it to another category such as "Computer systems analyst".

How do you suggest I handle this?
 
Yes, you can easily change to CSA. In fact that is the jobs you should be applying for, because you are not an engineer.

"Should be fine:. For him I guess. The fact that he basically told you 'any Bachelors degree is fine, shows a lack of knowledge.
 
Wouldn't changing the category the second time raise a red flag? Because the corresponding job details will have to change, and the resume will have to be modified as well. I only have software developer roles on my resume.

How do swe candidates that apply under the CSA category handle the job details and resume modifications? Even if I apply under CSA initially.
 
You aren't eligible for swe jobs. So you look for CSA jobs. Then the job description matches the CSA category naturally. Your experience doesn't count in TN world. So they don't even bring a resume. Who told you to bring a resume? The "it'll be fine" lawyer?
 
Sm1smom said:
Why are you reluctant to publicly share your experience and are instead asking people to message you?
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Oh I figured I would give them an opportunity to call me if they like but happy to share publicly as well.

I went to peace bridge, applied under the engineer category. Important factors were having a minor in computer science with 10+ CS courses as well as prior experience in software engineering/software development, which should be supported by verification of employment letters.
 
Experience is not an acceptable prerequisite for TN engineering category. Only education can be used to qualify. You got away with one.
 
nelsona said:
Experience is not an acceptable prerequisite for TN engineering category. Only education can be used to qualify. You got away with one.
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Not according to the nafta agent. It may not be a requirement legally, but it does help to establish your credibility. I did not get away with anything.
 
As I said, the regs are clear. A poor interpretation by one agent, could easily be corrected the next time you apply. Just realize that only an Engineering or other closely-related degree can get you an Engineering TN. Experience counts for squat.
 
As I said, the regs are clear. A poor interpretation by one agent, could easily be corrected the next time you apply. Just realize that only an Engineering or other closely-related degree can get you an Engineering TN. Experience counts for squat. To state that you got your TN because of proof of experience is misleading. If anything, you may have been able -- somehow -- to convince the officer that your CS-minor made you an engineer. He was flat wrong. Good for you, yes, getting away with one this time
 
nelsona said:
As I said, the regs are clear. A poor interpretation by one agent, could easily be corrected the next time you apply. Just realize that only an Engineering or other closely-related degree can get you an Engineering TN. Experience counts for squat. To state that you got your TN because of proof of experience is misleading. If anything, you may have been able -- somehow -- to convince the officer that your CS-minor made you an engineer. He was flat wrong. Good for you, yes, getting away with one this time
Click to expand...

If the regs were clear, they wouldn't be open to interpretation, so you are only contradicting yourself. Its not misleading because I am sharing first hand account of how I got my TN status and once again, I did not get away anything. It's misleading for you to immediately shut down people's request for information when there are countless accounts of people being accepted under similar circumstances. As long as you are an actual software engineer, it's worth pursuing the TN status.
 
You are misleading others into thinking they can get an engineering job without a related degree, simply by working in Canada in software.
Be careful next time you renew. The interpretation may disfavour you that time.
 
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