Skip to main content

Canadian looking to work in the US - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | October 30, 2012

Canadian looking to work in the US - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | October 30, 2012


Dear Miss Powell:
I am a Jamaica-born, Canadian citizen. I got tired of the cold and so I recently returned home to Jamaica, with the intention of setting up business here. But things don't look so promising here in Jamaica. I am struggling to get my business off the ground. I noticed that you mentioned in a previous article that Canadian citizens may move to the United States (US) and so I am looking at opportunities of working in the US. In fact, I have done a telephone interview and I may get a job offer soon. Can you tell me how I can qualify as a Canadian citizen to work in US?
- AV
Dear AV
I am sorry that your return to Jamaica is not as you expected. You indicated that you wanted to set up business in Jamaica. I'm not sure what kind of business you were thinking of. However, I would recommend that you speak to JAMPRO, Jamaica Business Opportunity Service (JBOS), Business Advisory Services, or other local bodies, about providing you with information and support, before giving up totally on Jamaica. I even recommend that you speak with your member of parliament who may be able to provide you with information on investment opportunities in your community.
If after you have done some investigations you definitely want to leave Jamaica for the US, there are several options available to you under the North American Free Trade Agreement, especially if you have a job offer from a US employer. A prospective employer may be able to sponsor you to get a TN visa from the US, if they satisfy the requirements.
You will need to provide documents to prove that:
1. You are a Canadian citizen (citizenship card and passport)
2. You can perform service in a profession or occupation that is on the USCIS list of professions and occupations that qualify for a TN visa.
3. You are able to demonstrate a certain minimum educational and employment experience in the list of occupations on the USCIS website.
4. You have a firm job offer from a qualifying employer.
I would recommend that you contact an immigration lawyer personally, provide her with more information about your qualifications, skills and details about your job offer, so that she will be able to assist you personally with your application.
Deidre S. Powell is an international lawyer, mediator and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars. Her main office is located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, commercial, real estate, personal injury, family and administration of estates. Email: info@deidrepowell.com. Subject line: Immigration or Tel: 613.695.8777.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Immigration Corner | What is an Authorisation to Return to Canada?

Immigration Corner | What is an Authorisation to Return to Canada? : Dear Miss Powell, I used to live in Canada, but I was sent home. My cousin is getting married and I have an invitation to attend the wedding. Can I reapply for a visitor’s visa? What are the chances of my application being successful? Thank you Dear WW, A foreign national who has contravened the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its regulations can be the subject of a removal order from Canada and may need to apply for an Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), and a Temporary Resident (visitor’s) visa. The success of your application depends on the reason that you were “sent home”, the type of removal order that was issued against you, the length of time that has passed, as well as your current social and economic situation. At the time of your departure from Canada, did you notify the Canadian Border Services Agency? Did they give you a letter confirming your departure? You should have received
Post a Comment
Read more

Immigration Corner | Married to a Canadian, will they harass me?

Immigration Corner | Married to a Canadian, will they harass me? : Dear Miss Powell, I am married to a Canadian citizen. Before we were married, I had my visitor’s visa, so I was going back and forth, and he did the same. That works out good for both of us as we are very busy with our work, plus my husband says he... The immigration officer will not “harass” you because you are now married. However, you should expect to provide explanations about the reason for your visit and whether you are considering living or working in Canada. You should be honest with them as you could be barred from Canada for approximately five years for misrepresentation and have difficulties with future applications.
Post a Comment
Read more

Canadian Citizenship as a Wife

Dear Ms Powell, I am engaged to someone in Canada. What are the requirements to get Canadian citizenship? Do I get citizenship automatically after marrying a Canadian citizen? What if our child is born outside of Canada will our baby get citizenship as well? We just need to know these things as we plan our future together. Thank you for your time. A.C. Dear AC, Congratulations on your engagement. You will not automatically get Canadian citizenship, just by marrying someone in Canada, but there a steps to acquiring same. The critical question is what is your fiancé’s legal status in Canada? Is he a visitor, student, worker, permanent resident, or Canadian citizen? If you get married to a permanent resident or Canadian citizen, you will not automatically get Canadian citizenship. However, there are steps that you can take to acquire Canadian citizenship. Sponsorship Application A Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply to sponsor his spouse or common law/ conjugal
Post a Comment
Read more