Work Visa - where to start

[LJC33 0]

I currently live in Canada, work in Canada in sales however work for a company headquartered in the US. I want to live in US but still work my sales territory in Canada only. Our goal is to be married, reside in the US. I would have to go back to Canada once per month to see customers, remaining time working on laptop and phone while in the US. What kind of visa is required - if this is sponsored by my company?

Just starting this process and don't know where to start.

Thank you!

[UnaMexicana 153]

If the company HDQ is in USA (also my case) I believe you should talk to them about the possibility of sponsoring an H1B employment visa. The thing at least for me is that they actually want me to move to the state where the company is, attend the office etc.. as opposed to right now where I am homebased.

As you want to keep your customer territory I think it is something worth discussing with your employer, some are that flexible.

Best,

UnaMexicana

[Boiler 43,584]

If your SO is a US Citizen then that would be the obvious route.

Otherwise talk to your Employer, sales I do not think is a TN occupation, check.

[LJC33 0]

Thanks ....what is SO and what is TN occupation? Hoping for quickest turnaround on this process. Any tips on where I should be when I apply and any limitations on travelling cross border during application? Thanks.

[Boiler 43,584]

SO is significant other.

TN is a visa category.

without knowing the visa type your Employer is considering difficult to comment.

[LJC33 0]

Thanks for your input - I have been told that perhaps the L1 visa is the best route? Any restrictions on that? I would be living in the US and need multiple visits to Canada to work.

[Boiler 43,584]

Is that what your Employer is proposing?

[kzielu 1,147]

Thanks for your input - I have been told that perhaps the L1 visa is the best route? Any restrictions on that? I would be living in the US and need multiple visits to Canada to work.

It is a great route but it is for specialty occupations or managerial staff. Did your employer proposed it ?

[LJC33 0]

My employer is not recommending this, I received this advice from a legal person. I am sourcing out options as this is 100% my decision to move to SF and want to keep my job managing sales in Canada...focus on canada west coast. Trying to understand what options I have to "sell" the support to my company. Any advice on other visa types?????

[aaron2020 11,651]

How would the L-1 be for your employer's convenience when your sale territory is in Canada? What is the business reason for the move?

Your personal desire to live in the US can not drive the L-1. There has to be a legitimate business reason the employer needs you in the US.

[Boiler 43,584]

Certain!y odd but if he has enough clout in the Company I do see that they could engineer a way to make it happen.

Now which visa would be best would depend on the messy details, that is where lawyers earn the big bucks.

[jan22 2,901]

Any type of work visa you could get would require you to work in the US. They are not for living in the US while continuing to work in Canada (or Mexico -- where this was tried unsuccessfully when the US/Mexico border got more dangerous several years ago). The filing of paperwork for the work visa would have to show the work you were going to do in the US; occasional trips to/meetings in Canada would be possible, but the majority of your work would have to be done in the US.