JamesM

Hi Guys

Keeping this brief.

What times have people H1B visa's taken to process from submission to award? And how long do they give you to enter?

I am wrapping up my Canadian Citizenship but it may take a couple more months. I have a firm from the US wanting to hire me. I'm wondering if I can persue H1B concurrently on my British passport and get both done.

ian-mstm

You can, yes.

Ian

JamesM

Thanks.

And anyone share their experience on process timeline?

Sally Redux

I think some of it depends on how efficient the employer is with the paperwork.

S Folinsky

There is one big difference between H-1b for UK nationals and Canadian nationals. UK nationals need a visa in order to enter on H-1b status. The processing time from submission to granting of the visa varies by the workload of the consulate involved.

In contrast, Canadians do NOT need a visa to enter in H-1b status.

As a general rule, one can enter at any time prior to expiry of the H-1b petition.

JamesM

Thank you. Highly valuable information.

Are those processing times published anywhere?

It does sound like entry as a Canadian is definitely more efficient.

JamesM

The employer seemed pretty confident. I was actually hoping they'd be a little slower so I could warp the citizenship up here and then leave.

Based on S Folinsky's info I think I need to really wait for citizenship. Another visa process would probably push me over the edge.

henryh

Canadian citizens are also eligible for TN visas under NAFTA, which have some advantages over H-1Bs in many cases.

JamesM

Thanks.

My occupation doesn't fall under any of those categories. I'm in software sales.