Economic slow down has me exploring jobs down South

[bimmere92]

Like many here, work is drying up and being a freelancer/consultant... I am exploring opportunities down South. A friend of mine that moved to SF Bay Area a few years ago and offered me a position with his company, decent pay but the costs for living are nuts!

Anyone else exploring?

Perhaps just me, but I've recently taken serious attention to it.

[unkicrackie99]

Do you need a work visa to work in the US? If so, how long do they last?

[riander5]

What specifically do you do ?

[cosmok]

How far south? The job market down here is pretty soft at the moment.

[FraserB]

My company has a presence in Australia, at the end of my current project I'll be looking at opportunities there.

Big projects in LNG and my experience is fairly applicable over most large scale energy projects.

[bimmere92]

Yeah, its called a TN VISA.
It's quite easy to get actually (within a couple days) as I have a company thats willing to bring me out there.

I'm a civil-structural engineer.

The position is based in SF, California. The pay is inticing, complete with the USD conversion, but the rent/house prices in the Bay Area are outrageous.... but not liked local prices are not.

Just exploring all options. Work is drying up and want to have a plan B in place.

[KO22]

^ I thought the TN Visa's take a few months to get? Wow, may explore my options moving south with the current state of the USD/CAD.

How long do the TN Visa's last for? One year before renewal? TIA

[bimmere92]

TN Visa lasts 3 years.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly... USD/CAD is a no brainer, especially if it drops even more like some are projecting!

Not sure where to explore what cities/areas are the up and coming... Cali seems like the funnest and coolest place to live, but economically the real estate is outrageous and I wont save a dime.

[SkiBum5.0]

Originally posted by KO22
^ I thought the TN Visa's take a few months to get? Wow, may explore my options moving south with the current state of the USD/CAD.

How long do the TN Visa's last for? One year before renewal? TIA

They are easy to get with a company sponsor - individuals will take much longer

[bimmere92]

^ This

[Nufy]

If you have your paperwork in order, you can get one in an hour at the airport.

Thats how I have done all of mine...

[holden]

How easy is the process to go from a TN visa to an actual US citizen (not including marriage to a US citizen)?

[killramos]

Originally posted by bimmere92
Yeah, its called a TN VISA.
It's quite easy to get actually (within a couple days) as I have a company thats willing to bring me out there.

I'm a civil-structural engineer.

The position is based in SF, California. The pay is inticing, complete with the USD conversion, but the rent/house prices in the Bay Area are outrageous.... but not liked local prices are not.

Just exploring all options. Work is drying up and want to have a plan B in place.

Did you write the FE? Or does your position not care about the ability to stamp drawings?

[ZenOps]

Its my understanding that TN VISA does not count toward application for a green card. However, its much easier to get the TN - and its useful as a stepping stone while you figure out the convoluted US system.

If your ultimate goal is work permanance in the US, you might want H1B H2B.

[bimmere92]

Originally posted by killramos


Did you write the FE? Or does your position not care about the ability to stamp drawings?

I am not required to write the FE for this position, as its more so construction management based (not signing drawings).
That being said, there are some states (Arizona and Nevada) that don't require you to write the FE from what I understand.

As for TN Visa to Permanent Resident, not sure. But from what I know, a TN Visa is good for 3 years.

[killramos]

^ I think Texas grants equivalency to Apega as well.

I was just curious about it, i hear that full professional licensure is like 60% down there compared to Canada's 95%+

[bimmere92]

What do you mean? Only 60% of Canadians get licensed in US, vs 95% of Americans get licensed in Canada?

I heard the FE exam is long and detailed, would have to brush up on all the useless elementary formula's and calculations... if I ever choose to write it.

Still considering moving down there... work is slow!

[killramos]

Originally posted by bimmere92
What do you mean? Only 60% of Canadians get licensed in US, vs 95% of Americans get licensed in Canada?

I heard the FE exam is long and detailed, would have to brush up on all the useless elementary formula's and calculations... if I ever choose to write it.

Still considering moving down there... work is slow!

I mean only 60% of engineers in the US get their full licensed designation.

[pheoxs]

TN visa can be had at the airport in as little as 15 minutes (though once it took 2-3hrs due to the lineup) so long as you have all the proper paperwork in order. Was cheaper than I expected too haha. Just make sure the offer letter is for a specified term (<3yrs) and not a full-timer permanent position, I've heard they can be sticky about that for some reason. Then just renew everything when the time comes.

Not sure how the FE works, if that matters to them even, I'm in a similar situation and looking at jobs south of the border in the near future. I currently have a TN visa with my employer (travel to the US for projects) but I believe I need re-apply for a new TN visa when I eventually cross the border.


Originally posted by killramos
^ I think Texas grants equivalency to Apega as well.

I was just curious about it, i hear that full professional licensure is like 60% down there compared to Canada's 95%+

That is mainly true because in the US they need to write the FE and PE exams to become licensed whereas here we only need the ethics exam which is kind of a joke. For us it's just get it done and then get your PEng, for them it's weeks of studying and prep for their exams and fees to write them, so a lot of people don't pursue it if not needed.

[killramos]

Originally posted by pheoxs

That is mainly true because in the US they need to write the FE and PE exams to become licensed whereas here we only need the ethics exam which is kind of a joke. For us it's just get it done and then get your PEng, for them it's weeks of studying and prep for their exams and fees to write them, so a lot of people don't pursue it if not needed.

More based on the fact that we have a national accreditation board.

In the US noone regulates engineering state to state which leads to wide variances in what is taught. I have heard in some cases people graduate with engineering degrees there with 30% less course hours than a Canadian program. Which is why the FE was created, rather than keep track of what is taught in school they just test you on what you know in the end.

6 of one half a dozen of another i guess.

[pheoxs]

Originally posted by killramos


More based on the fact that we have a national accreditation board.

In the US noone regulates engineering state to state which leads to wide variances in what is taught. I have heard in some cases people graduate with engineering degrees there with 30% less course hours than a Canadian program. Which is why the FE was created, rather than keep track of what is taught in school they just test you on what you know in the end.

6 of one half a dozen of another i guess.

I remember hearing that in school actually. I always had assumed it was a nationwide accreditation for them, still seems odd to me that it isn't.

[bimmere92]

On a side note, does anyone know how long the process is to get licensed to practice engineering in Arizona or Texas? from P.Eng to P.E.

[dirtsniffer]

Don't quote me but I believe for Texas it's not a long process and you don't need to take the FE exam

[bimmere92]

Yeah, its supposed to be a breeze in Nevada, Arizona and Texas...

But still curious as to timelines of "a breeze".

All other states can be tedious, as you have to write the FE and go through more hurdles.

[dirtsniffer]

One thing you can do is get your PE in one of the easier states then transfer it to wherever you want easily.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Marsh]

Originally posted by pheoxs
TN visa can be had at the airport in as little as 15 minutes (though once it took 2-3hrs due to the lineup) so long as you have all the proper paperwork in order. Was cheaper than I expected too haha. Just make sure the offer letter is for a specified term (&lt;3yrs) and not a full-timer permanent position, I've heard they can be sticky about that for some reason. Then just renew everything when the time comes.

Not sure how the FE works, if that matters to them even, I'm in a similar situation and looking at jobs south of the border in the near future. I currently have a TN visa with my employer (travel to the US for projects) but I believe I need re-apply for a new TN visa when I eventually cross the border.



That is mainly true because in the US they need to write the FE and PE exams to become licensed whereas here we only need the ethics exam which is kind of a joke. For us it's just get it done and then get your PEng, for them it's weeks of studying and prep for their exams and fees to write them, so a lot of people don't pursue it if not needed.

Is there a good source online for doing this? I checked the US gov site for TN visa's, but its a bit vague. What kind of paperwork do you need, and who issues it at the airport? Homeland security?

Sorry just looking for more details.

Thanks

[bimmere92]

I understand you need your passport and potential employers letter for employment. It's pretty simple I hear... the border officers likely run some background info on you at the airport and you are good to go within a few hours.