QUESTION:
I am canadian citizen, and need to travel to California for in person
interview. So I require to get a Visa for that purpose, if it is what type
of Visa I would need and from I would get it... do I need to the US
consulate or it can be done at the border.
thanks for the help.
======================
david ingram replies:
This is a great question and was the subject of our Canadian/US Friendship
Committee at the Vancouver Board of Trade at the last meeting I attended as
a committee member.
Everyone had a bad story because of a perception of uneven treatment at the
US border.
I like to make a comparison to being married.
To be a little rude, when a relationship first starts, no one "ever" farts.
As the relationship gets closer and longer the odd burp and fart might slip
out.
The same thing happens at our undefended border. I am as bad an example as
anyone.
In the last couple of months, I have being chastised by a lady for being is
the FAST Truck lane without a FAST card. (I was in the truck lane because I
wanted to buy a $5.00 permit to export a commercial item but was chastised
severely and threatened with a large fine if I ever did it again even though
there was absolutely NO other truck in line and no other booth was open.
She must have had a bad day. The next time I went through the truck lane
because of another commercial export, they X-Rayed my car.
The next three times, I was waved through with a perfunctory question and
the passport not even looked at and last Wednesday, he did not even take my
passport out of my hand.
NEXT time I expect the car to be X-Rayed and a strip search.
The people at the US border are there to Keep YOU OUT - unless you comply
with specific rules.
For instance, I have known several people who missed the job interview
because they could not convince the officer that they qualified for a visa
for the job they are interviewing for.
And this is complicated by the fact that there is no visa for a job
interview. You are given a B1 status when going across for a job interview
but it is not really a visa for Canadians.
To qualify for a B-1 status in this circumstance I would advise:
1. Take a copy of the advertisement or job description.
2. Get and take to the border a letter from the possible employer inviting
you to come for the job interview and stating what they expect.
3. Get the employer to write a letter to Homeland Security stating who the
employer is (General Motors, IBM, Microsoft, Joe's Television Repair) and
that they have invited you specifically to come for a job interview for a
specific job that can be filled by a TN, or an H1 or, or or visa and that
they are prepared to get you the proper visa if you are hired.
4. If the job requires a degree, take it with you to the border. Do not take
a copy - Take the degree. Now is a good time to write to your Alma Mater
and get another original. You need an original at the border to get a TN
visa.
5. Make up a loose leaf border kit that has a copy of your home ownership or
lease, a copy of the page showing your phone number in the phone book, a
copy of your last two or three year's tax returns, a copy of your hydro and
heating bills, cable vision, property taxes, etc. Have copies of your
passport, birth certificate, Driver's licence, Provincial Medical Card,
Library Card, Winter Club Membership and anything else that shows who you
are, "what" you are and WHERE you live.
Normally, I suggest that a person has a letter from their employer. Of
course, if you are looking for another job that is not the thing to ask for
as a rule.
Just remember that the Homeland Security Officer has 3,000 different
questions they could ask and some of the answers end up in the computer.
Always TELL the TRUTH only - "that" way, you can always remember what you
said. As an example one person told me about being arrested at the
Bellingham Airport. They had told the border they were going shopping at
Bellis Fair and then they showed up at the airport to drop off one of them
to catch a plane to LA. BAD THING TO DO. That is entering the US under
false pretences. It earned arrest, jail; $5,000 bail, an Expedited Removal,
etc., etc.
Hope this helps
David Ingram's US/Canada Services
US / Canada / Mexico tax, Immigration and working Visa Specialists
US / Canada Real Estate Specialists
Home office at:
4466 Prospect Road
North Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7
Cell (604) 657-8451 -
(604) 980-0321 Fax (604) 980-0325
Calls welcomed from 10 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week (please do not fax or phone
outside of those hours as this is a home office)
email to taxman at centa.com <mailto:taxman at centa.com>
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