My hubby has just been offered a job in the USA (im not so keen) and after reading all morning about what you have to do to get off the dam plane i think we will stick to Canada, they have more visas routes than the alphabet
To say the least i am totaly confused now and need a large stiff drink, from what i read if you want to go to America this side of 2010 (i know its not much faster in Canada) you should send in your visa application 5yrs ago to be on the safe side.

Both Canada and the States have Working visa, family visa and immigrant visa categories. Getting the visa is the hard part, if your hubby already managed that (for you both) that is an achievement.

Getting into the country, i wouldn't stress about that. Both Canadian and US officers can be just as rude or polite, depending on their mood. The whole fingerprinting/photograph thing in the US takes about a whole.... 30 seconds.

If you can't decide, come to Windsor, have a foot in both

Glad I'm not the only one in limbo between the two countries! We also had the option of the US but think we've finally decided on Canada - hubby's current company now want him to go out to Vancouver in the near year to set up operations out there. But.........he's still being headhunted left, right and centre so you never know - jobs in the US are still being discussed!

ARGGGHHHHH!! I know that we're lucky to have husbands that can work anywhere and are in demand, but as a completely anal 'list making' type of person, I'd like to know where we're heading so I can prepare and do my usual excessive research. I'm just assuming we're off to Vancouver unless things change (again.......!!).

Why would you not be able to get to the US before 2010 though? If he's getting a work permit then you should be out there in a few months.

Best of luck with it all.

I have been on the US threads and noticed that they are having the same probs as those who are going for TWP/LMO is Canada but they are waiting a LOT longer... and From what i have read (correct me if im wrong) they have something like a 5yr wait to find out if the job cant be filled by a US citizen. Unlike in Canada where it is a 30 day down to 5 day for LMO...or have i got it totally wrong..again..brains going to go to mush again isn't it..Info overload

Im a list making, research type of girl too... hubby thinks im bonkers but i know the in's and outs now of how to get to Canada without my brain exploding or worse... being stuck in the UK for the rest of my days

Sorry, completely wrong! No wait is required at all, so the only time delay you'd have is whilst the visa is being processed. There is also no requirement that they try to find a US citizen to do the job first, unlike Canada - they simply have to prove that you have 'specialist knowledge' that requires them to hire from abroad, but they don't have to try recruiting in the US first.

The only long waits for visas in the US are family class ones which are taking years (i.e. 12 years to sponsor a sibling!). Is that what you're thinking of maybe?

Ahhh that could be it,i got my wires crossed somewhere along the alphabet that is the US visa system, so, is it as the same same TWP and SOWP in Canada then as he gets the offer in writing and we go from there. No (US version) LMO required? And how the heck do we find out if an IT network consultant has 'specialist knowledge'...

Its going you know, i can feel it, its turning to mush again

And thanks christmasoompa for helping out on this one

Don't worry, my brain turned to mush years ago! It's not the same as there are various different work visas for the US.

And the specialist knowledge bit is easy - the company would have to really want and need him out there to go through the hassle and cost of it all (costs them about $5k so much easier and cheaper to hire a local if they can), so if they're prepared to do that for him, then you can bet he's got specialist knowledge! No version of an LMO required though, they don't have to advertise the job in the US.

Hope that helps a bit!

Oh ok..thanks for that Mike, that makes it a lot essayer..but dont tell hubby just yet..im still sitting on a wing and a prayer that he gets the Job in Alberta

LOL ok thanks christmasoompa
mike deleted his post but thanks anyway guys...

Thought this might help - the mighty Wiki strikes again! Should give you a simple overview of what visas there are for the US, and what your hubby would be eligible for.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

There is a long wait for visas fir the US although L1 (inter company transfer) is not that bad. H1b is a lottery and no guarantee you will get one. I have been waiting for 2 years for a visa for the US and I have a job offer but nurses demand was higher than visa allocation and retrogression kicked in Oct 06 and processing has stopped at the moment as no visas and in Oct when new visa allocation year starts they will start processing early 2006. It all depends on type of visa to how long it will take. We have no regrets moving to Canada

yeah, for the USA you only need a Labor cert (LONG process) if you are 'immigrating', work permit type visas (H1-B, L-1) need Labor condition application which is much simpler (still need a job offer with the H1 though)*

*could be wrong about all of that -- been a long time since i looked at the process