Canadian possibly relocating to the U.S.
 

Has anyone used the TN Visa to get through the border from Canada?

What has been your experience in making a move to the U.S. for work reasons?

Bloom

My advice is to line up something in advance of moving.

Depending on what it is you do, you will very possibly be looked upon as somebody with no experience.

Thanks Myer...

my husband has been offered a job. It's a matter now of getting his TN Visa stamped at the border.

Bloom

We had visited the US and our moving destination many times over the years.

However, the day you move it's very different. For at least several months we wondered what we were doing here.

Eventually it became home. But it took quite a while.

Everything is different and you are the stranger.

I can only imagine what it's like for people who barely speak the language.

If you are going to work for a large company and have an offer in hand, they should have someone or pay someone to take care of everything for you.

The more you have to do yourself, the more difficult it can be, especially if you are bringing an employable spouse with you.

If you have not got an offer of employment, it will be well-nigh impossible.

Consider Myer's thoughts. Despite our watching pretty much the same television, driving pretty much the same cars, and wearing pretty much the same clothing as you Canadians do, the US is very different, and my Canadian friends have found it a bit difficult to make the switch. Talk to lots of people who have done it.

Their big surprise was how difficult the Canadian government made it for them to come to the US to work.

The employer is covering relocation costs, and this will include hiring a lawyer to guide us through the process.

I was reading through a Canadian expat forum and was quite alarmed to learn that it is a much more difficult and precarious process to move to the U.S. than I'd thought it to be.

The NAFTA list of jobs for which foreigners can be hired/accepted for is quite specialized, and the position my husband is being hired for might not be construed as a totally perfect fit. :S

As far as adjusting to our new location- our two daughters live there, so I'm just excited about the possibility of living in the same state as them.

We have quite a few other family members and friends that live there too, (some of which are also Canadian expats), and because we've visited there frequently, I'm not overly concerned about culture shock. Being close to our daughters will more than make up for any of the downsides of the move.

Thank you for your input.
Bloom

I'm not suggesting it won't work.
Just be prepared that it will take longer than you expect to feel comfortable.

I am a Canadian living in the US since 1966 - moved on a lark to Hawaii when I graduated from nursing school. Immigrating was a much easier process back then and of course because I am an RN- no problem getting a job

I dont think it was a difficult transition- most people I have met
are intrigued with the fact I am Canadian - have never had any negative interactions.

Have lived in several states- now in Oregon.
If you are moving to a fairly large metropolitin area - you may find a group of "Canadians Living in the US"
One was just started in Portland and I have attended Canada Day celebrations and Canadian Thanksgiving with them - so helps to feel a little more connected to the Homeland