Applying for Greencard with TN Visa

Lyft / Eng Jogan
Feb 24, 2018 18 Comments

Hi, I’ve heard and read threads about people applying for green cards while under a TN visa.

I was wondering, as a Canadian citizen who is born in China, if it is worth applying for a green card, or if I should just stay on TN visa indefinitely.

I went to look at the visa bulletin board and am kind of confused between final action dates and the normal dates that appear in the visa bulletin table.

Has anyone been in a similar position?

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 TOP 18 Comments
  • Google Yyyygggggg
    You can’t. It’s s temp visa. Get an h1b and then transition to green card ASAP
    Feb 24, 2018 6
    • Google Yyyygggggg
      Yes.
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Google Yyyygggggg
      It’s unfortunate but it’s the way
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Microsoft msftpotato
      You can, let the lawyers do their job
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Microsoft qwerky
      You can.
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Amazon / Eng Ooooopp
      Did it, you can
      Feb 24, 2018
  • Microsoft / Eng
    MP3

    Microsoft Eng

    BIO
    Troll living under the I-5 overpass
     MP3more
    Green card is based on your birth country (China), not your citizenship. You can apply for GC as a TN holder with an adjustment of status, since TN is a non-immigrant visa. Then you get a work permit for 1 year that will need to be extended every year while you wait for your GC in the queue. You can theoretically extend your work permit indefinitely, one year at a time.

    I believe it makes sense to apply for H1B as it makes it easier to switch jobs without having to get a new TN visa, and I believe it has an option to allow your spouse to work (which may not matter if you’re single). You may want to compare TN with H1B and see if it makes sense for you.

    Might be easier to marry a GC holder or a US citizen 😏
    Feb 24, 2018 6
    • Microsoft / Eng
      MP3

      Microsoft Eng

      BIO
      Troll living under the I-5 overpass
       MP3more
      Yep, that’s exactly why you apply for a change of status (so you can have immigration intent) to get that work permit.
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Lyft / Eng Jogan
      OP
      Thank you for this explanation. I would totally try for a H1B if it wasn’t so darn hard to get... I guess I just have to stick with TN visa and try to find love in the states 🤪
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Lyft / Eng Jogan
      OP
      Also, does the work permit only allow you to stay at one company?
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Google Yyyygggggg
      My point is if you’re declined you’ll face problems at TN renewal
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Microsoft / Eng
      MP3

      Microsoft Eng

      BIO
      Troll living under the I-5 overpass
       MP3more
      No idea about the work permit - one company. I don’t believe so, as long as you stay workin in exactly the area and type of job you start with, but you’ll have to check. It is best if you speak with an immigration lawyer.
      Feb 24, 2018
  • Amazon Obujuana
    TN can be renewed indefinitely. Just do the lottery every year until you get it.
    Feb 24, 2018 3
    • Amazon 4 5
      Except that they wont let you extend TN if they find out you applied for I140...
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Amazon Obujuana
      I140 is not relevant to H1B right? OP just needs to do work while applying H1B until he/she gets it eventually.
      Feb 24, 2018
    • Amazon 4 5
      OP wants to know if its feasible to apply for GC without H1B. My answer is no, given the country of birth (non RoW)
      Feb 24, 2018