Comment by fillmore | Hacker News Reader

Comment by fillmore | Hacker News Reader

Hi Peter, thank you in advance for considering the question.

I'm a Canadian citizen, living in Canada. In the past I've considered moving to the US to work there.

I don't have a university degree. I attended university for ~3-4 years, did not complete my degree, and then enrolled in a 3-year college program which conferred an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. I've worked full-time as a software developer since then.

I think my expertise is comparable to my coworkers, many of whom have completed university degrees (albeit in a variety of disciplines, not specifically related to technology).

Could I move and work in the US under a TN visa? I'm concerned that, because I don't have a degree, I would not qualify. Though I do have specialized training (diploma + work experience).

Or am I looking at this backwards? i.e, if a US company were interested in hiring me, they would handle the visa requirements (I'm unsure if this would be TN or otherwise).

Thanks!

I've been through this.

The "Computer Systems Analyst" TN profession is the usual path there (though rather weird). You need letters from your previous employers that you worked for 3 years full time. Some colleges in the US can even give you a degree equivalency on that basis.

> if a US company were interested in hiring me, they would handle the visa requirements (I'm unsure if this would be TN or otherwise).

They would (one can even do pre-approval), but some of them need handholding, and there's only so much they can do. But sometimes you might be surprised by the magic they can do (ex: doing the equivalency work).

No you cannot. TN requires you to have specialized degree. You can only be sponsored for H1-B by an employer (hired and move same time).

The Computer Systems Analyst category only requires a post-secondary diploma and 3 years of experience, or a full bachelor's degree.

When I interviewed with Google and Facebook a few years ago, neither of them were concerned that I don't have a bachelor's degree (I have a 2 year post-secondary diploma). I can't remember which one it was, but one of them thought they'd be able to get me an O-1 visa as a backup plan if a TN was unexpectedly rejected.

That's right, there are a few TN occupations that don't require a bachelor's degree including Computer Systems Analyst, Management Consultant, and Scientific Technician/Technologist.

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