Traveling on a TN Visa: Multiple Entry

You may exit and re-enter the U.S on a TN visa given that the visa has not expired, and you are currently working for the same employer. Sometimes they will check if you are with the same company as the one that issued you the letter.
See here for more information:
http://www.tnvisabulletin.com/nafta-tn-blog/2010/5/3/vacations-while-on-a-tntd-visa.html

H-3 Visa, an Alternative to H1-B Visa

The H1-B visa is even harder to obtain, now that less than 30% of applicants are lucky enough to win the lottery.

There is an alternative, the H-3 visa. It is a practical training visa for special cases. See below for more information:

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-3-nonimmigrant-trainee/h-3-nonimmigrant-trainee-or-special-education-exchange-visitor

Traveling While Applying for the OPT

You can travel while your OPT application is being processed, however, there are risks involved. I was traveling abroad after I applied for my OPT, but before I received it in the mail. My family is living in the U.S, so I had a stable address that would be able to receive the card. I re-entered on an expired F-1, but I had my application and OPT receipt with me. I had to speak to one of the border officers in the little rooms that are located in the back of the airport, but after I showed him my job offer letter and OPT application I was able to go. I got the card a few days later in the mail.

There are risks involved with traveling before obtaining your card, but as long as you bring proof that you will be starting a job soon, and that you did apply for your OPT card, you should be allowed back into the U.S to wait for it. Otherwise, you would have to get the card shipped to whatever location you are abroad.

Make sure to have all your documents with you, and that you are covered (a.k.a have a job). I would not go abroad if you are unemployed and waiting for your OPT card.

TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Professionals in the States

The TN status is a specific status granted to Canadian and Mexican professionals working in the U.S under the NAFTA agreement.

All you need to apply for this status is a signed offer letter from a U.S based company, and a specific job title (One of the designated "professional jobs" by the NAFTA trade agreement between Canada and the U.S). Here is more information:

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/nafta.html

There are certain professions/job functions that they accept: 

http://www.nafsa.org/_/file/_/amresource/8cfr2146.htm

You can apply for a 1 year TN or a 3 year TN, depending on your company. The TN visa is not formally considered a work sponsorship visa, because you don't need any legal assistance (beyond the offer letter). However, some companies consider it a "sponsorship," so it's always good to double check. 

OPT visa: When to apply.

Hello!

The OPT visa is a working visa intended to give college graduates working experience. For most people, the visa gives a year of "practical training." However, if you have a STEM major, then you can apply for an extension, which gives you 17 months in the U.S.

You do not have to have a job offer when you apply for the OPT! You can apply via unemployed, however, once your OPT is in effect, you have 90 days to find a job. Notice, date of the visa going into effect and the date you receive your OPT card does not necessarily match.

Don't be like me; apply for your OPT ahead of time! I lost time (I can only work for 10 months instead of 12) because of this. You can apply for an OPT 90 days before you graduate (and 60 days after), but you can pick the date you want your OPT to start (up to 60 days after your graduation date). I was being stupid, and thought I could push the start date back if I applied later (after I graduated), but that only cut time off my already existing working time frame. OPT's take 3 months to process and get mailed to you. Meaning, I got the card (which employers require before you can start work) after my OPT period started. So basically I was not able to work when the time on my OPT was running. So, apply for it early!

Good resource: http://www.uscis.gov/eir/visa-guide/f-1-opt-optional-practical-training/understanding-f-1-opt-requirements

Last week of Research

Hello,

This is my last week of research. I will be creating a slide show, and doing a 20 minute presentation. These three months have been very productive and entertaining. I traveled all over Arizona doing interviews with interesting individuals, collecting different facts and opinions. I know a lot more about how the immigration process works, and how my visa works. I believe that I will be able to provide insight and help to people who are interested in applying for a Green Card, such as my parents. Thank you for viewing my blog these past three months, and feel free to leave a comment. I will be sure to write back as soon as possible.

-Jenny

New Policies in the Past Decade

In the past decade there has been minor changed to visa policies. One example was the change with the TN visa. In the fall of 2008, the Obama administration increased the period of the visa from one year to three years. Meaning a TN holder can apply for three year extensions as opposed to one.
In the summer of 2008, the USCIS extended the time H-2B workers can stay in the U.S. H-2B workers are for agricultural and labor workers.


-Jenny

Arizona Senate Bill 1070

The most recent bill that greatly impacts Arizona is Arizona Senate Bill 1070. It requires all aliens 14 years and older, who intend on remaining longer than 30 days in the U.S, to carry necessary documents to prove that they are in the country legally. Many people have said that this causes racial profiling, because it allows boarder patrols to ask anyone who they suspect to be illegal aliens to take out their documentation. This bill has caused much uproar among the other states; It is considered controversial. I personally do not carry around my passports. Sometimes I don't even remember to take my wallet, so I have no identification documents on me except for my school books. It is unrealistic to always carry around my passport and visa. Also, I will be more likely to lose my documents if I always carry them around, thus increasing my risk of becoming an undocumented alien.

Jenny

Interview with a Person who Had a Green Card (is now a U.S citizen)

How long did it take for you to receive your Green Card?

3 years. It takes longer for some people, and shorter for others.

Did you hire a lawyer?

Yes

Did you apply for the Green Card through employment or family?

Employment

On a scale of 1-10, how hard do you think it is to get a Green Card?

9

Did you face any problems? If so, what were the problems?

The waiting time was too long, because of the quota for China. (*see interview with Ms. Huang)

What did you not like about the process?

The quota for Chinese people (which is country based), and the waiting time.

Is there an area of the process you would like to see improved?

The processing (by the INS, now National Security) took too long. It would be better if they were more efficient.

This interview was done through a survey given to a U.S citizen who had once gone through the Green Card process and received a Green Card.

-Jenny