[fillmore]

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!

[amstan]

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).

[epa]

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).

[Manouchehri]

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.