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| Subject: Foreign Credential recognition |
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I came from Hong Kong 27 years ago and is already a Canadian citizen. I have a bachelor degree from HK Polytechnic University. I have just retired from a large Canadian company after 27 years of work. I was told many years ago that the degree from HK was not recognized by Canada. I did not bother to look into it because I was employed and had no plan to change job. I am now looking at getting other jobs and I start to see the trouble of not having a Canadian or US recognized degree. For example, a job required me to do temporary work in US (a few days at a time). This required me to get a TN VISA. One of the requirements for the TN Visa is education qualification. I am looking for some advices on how to get my credential recognized by Canada.
[01-05-2006,16:13]
[**.12.129.184]
KT |
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(in reply to: Foreign Credential recognition)
Not sure of canada, but I don´t think this will be an issue for the US job you found. In fact no degree + 12 years of relavant work experience is considered equivalent to a 4 yr degree in US. With your experience, that shouldn´t be a problem at all. I never had issues with my foreign degrees in US.
[02-05-2006,03:06]
[**.246.221.38]
Harry |
(in reply to: Foreign Credential recognition)
Thanks Harry, that makes me feel better. I was told that TN VISA are applied at the port of entry. It´ll be difficult if I got denied on the spot which may already be away from home or too late to do anything. I hope that the US immigration officer will treat 12 years experience as a degree as you said.
[02-05-2006,12:08]
[**.50.200.191]
KT |
(in reply to: Foreign Credential recognition)
TN1 Visa for Canadians
Canadians can often gain entry to the US with greater ease than others; this preferential treatment for Canadians is linked to treaty provisions within the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While there are many NAFTA related visas, the most useful one is the TN1 visa. The TN1 visa was modelled on the H1B; it may only be used where the employer is based in the US, and the candidate is a professional in one of the categories listed on below. Where a candidate, by their profession and nationality, qualifies for the TN1 visa, it has the following advantages over the H1B:
It is granted for one year, but can continue to be renewed indefinitely.
It can be applied for at the border with the US, and is usually granted immediately.
The documentary requirements and procedure is far less burdensome than the US H1B visa on which the TN1 visa is based.
The TN1 visa is granted for a specific employer, and for more than one employer multiple TN1 visa applications need to be made. Self-employed professionals would not be able to come under this particular visa category, and may consider the E2 Treaty Investor category under NAFTA.
While it is possible to apply under the TN1 visa with minimal documentation, it is prudent for candidates to arm themselves with the following documents at the border with the US:
A description of the position from the US employer, confirming that the position is temporary, and including full details of why it is a professional occupation. This should also confirm that the candidate will be a direct employee, and the salary level. Further, some information about the nature of the employer?s business should be included.
Proof of the candidate?s qualifications, including, where appropriate, confirmation of the US equivalency of any foreign qualifications. This confirmation is generally obtained by a qualified credentials evaluator or US academic, and must be accompanied by verbatim translations of any certificates/transcripts in languages other than English.
A copy of the candidate?s resume (curriculum vitae).
The original Canadian passport, and, if relevant, copies of the candidate?s previous passports, visa stamps, and I-94s.
Details of the candidate?s Social Security Number
Details of the candidate?s foreign address
A copy of the employment contract.
Details of the employing company, including proof of ability to pay the wages offered.
If relevant, a license enabling the candidate to work in the US.
The following professionals can qualify under the TN1 category:
Accountant
Architect
Computer
Disaster relief insurance claims adjuster
Economist
Engineer
Forester
Graphic designer
Hotel manager
Industrial designer
Interior designer
Land surveyor
Landscape architect
Lawyer
Librarian
Management consultant
Mathematician
Range manager/range conservationist
Research assistant
Scientific technician/technologistSocial worker
Sylviculturist
Technical publications writer
Urban planner
Vocational counsellor
Medical/allied professional (dentist, dietician, medical laboratory technologist, nutritionist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, physician, physical therapist, psychologist, recreational therapist, registered nurse and veterinarian)
Scientist (agriculturist, animal breeder, animal scientist, apiculturist, astronomer, biochemist, biologist, chemist, dairy scientist, entomologist, epidemiologist, geneticist, geo-chemist, geologist, geophysicist, geologist, geophysicist, horticulturist, meteorologist, pharmacologist, physicist, plant breeder, poultry scientist, soil scientist and zoologist)
Teacher (college, seminary, university)
[02-05-2006,13:19]
[**.249.33.23]
Anonymous |
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