I'm a Canadian Citizen going to the University of Waterloo. My next co-op work term is Winter 2021 (Jan-April). Would it be possible for me to work for a US company for that term? I've done the J-1 process twice before and that worked great in 2019, not sure about now given the visa suspension and COVID. Would appreciate any ideas here.
- Could I still get a J-1 for Winter 2021?
- Are there any other avenues for Canadians to work for a US company (possibly remotely) without a visa (if visas are still suspended)?
There are no US immigration requirements to work remotely for a US company - that is, you don't need a visa or work authorization - but to work in the U.S, work authorization would be required and the J-1 won't be available again until January at the earliest.
A thought: are TN "visa's" still available at this time? I know in the past some people have used them for co-op, but unclear if that was really by the book as it's unclear if they meet the education requirements.
edit: I really shouldn't have said "education requirement" - it's a job categorization, so education is only supporting evidence that your job meets the criteria.
For Canadians, TN-1's are not visas but statuses adjudicated at the border (they're typically just I-94s linked to passports), so they never "run out" as such (no quota).
However the TN is a status for restricted NAFTA (USMCA) professional categories, and typically requires proof of qualifications (in this case, education). I could be wrong, but an undergrad intern typically does not fit these categories. I'm surprised people have used it for co-op.
Right, that's why I put visa in quotes. And yes, there is no quota but I wasn't clear if there were e.g. COVID related restrictions on application currently.
People have definitely used this for even undergrad co-op, but I don't know how widespread. Obviously more easily applicable for grad students.
Part of the issue is that as you note the admissibility criteria is decided by the border agent you randomly see. So you provide evidence of education and fit for a TN category, but they decide if you qualify, and it's unclear how much guidance they have in this. Appeal process is mostly only through the same agent.
NB: my experience in this area is a bit out of date, things may have changed.
- Could I still get a J-1 for Winter 2021? - Are there any other avenues for Canadians to work for a US company (possibly remotely) without a visa (if visas are still suspended)?