Visa status transfer: TN to J1

mpkv

Registered Users (C)
hi,

i am a canadian citizen. i am presently working on TN visa as a post-doc in one of the US universities. I need to convert it to J1 ,however i have been told that i cannot convert to J1 status. What if i go out of USA and apply for J1 for the same post doc position? I wish to transfer to J1 so that after a few months - i might be able to apply for post-doc position with the US govt. The website of the US govt dept which i plan to apply specifies that they do not sponsor H1 or TN visa and hence i am thinking that J1 status might help. The US govt dept when contacted informed that they will not write a letter or any document that would help me get a VISA to work with them and that i should have legal status to work in US. Does this effectively mean that only GC holders and US citizens can apply for post-docs or research positions in US govt??

Its a long and perhaps clumsy post. i apologize for that.
i am hoping that some of you will advise or suggest me on my question.

Thanking you in advance.
 
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