Immigration to the USA with a Masters in Finance.
Immigration Quotas & Permission Rationale
It is more likely that a foreign professional that possesses a Masters in Finance will be hired in Canada than in the United States of America, especially if that person is a citizen or permanent resident of any of 20 specific countries listed below. If not such a resident, this person needs to have an employer lined up and a solid Job Offer from an Employer willing to spend the money required to submit the paperwork that will allow them to work in the USA. This could be an amount of over $2000.00 total.
BACKGROUND
The United States follows immigration quotas for workers that are foreign nationals that wish to come into the country in order to work. Each year, a list of countries of origin whose citizens or residents are not eligible to apply for a Green Card in America is published. The list includes countries that have sent 50,000 or more individuals to the USA legally within the last five (5) years. This is, however, not the only barrier to entering the United States in order to work (see next section).
In 2009, individuals from the following countries may not apply for a Green Card:
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (born on the mainland only, the major islands are fine)
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Peru
- Russia
- Poland
- South Korea
- United Kingdom and Dependent Territories - this restriction does not include Northern Ireland.
- Vietnam
POSSIBLE EXCEPTIONS:
Check with an immigration attorney for your specific situation before proceeding under either is the following:
- You are legally married to someone born in a country NOT on this list.
- One/both of your parents are/were citizens of countries NOT on this list AND NOT present in your current residence country on this list when you were born. In simpler language, you might be "charged" to another country.
Canada Needs These People
Canada lists the following skilled occupational titles that provide job openings that non-Canadians are needed to fill. These are listed at the visa and immigration website: Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
These postions for 2009 are all Manager, Professional, and Technical jobs. Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of successful past work in their occupation.
- Financial Managers
- CIS Managers
- Health Care Managers
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- Accommodations Managers
- Construction Managers
- Financial Auditors and Accountants
- Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists; Geological Engineers
- Mining Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Physician Specialists
- General Practitioners and Family Physicians
- Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Head Nurses (Nurse Managers) and Supervisors
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Medical Radiation Technologists
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- University Professors
- College & Vocational Instructors
- Chefs and Cooks
- Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades, Carpentry Trades
- Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
- Certain Electricians, including Industrial Electricians
- Plumbers, Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers
- Welders
- Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
- Crane Operators
- Drillers and Blasters
- Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying; Oil and Gas Drilling/Service; Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities
Working Without a Green Card
One might still be able to work legally in the US without a Green Card on a temporary visa awarded specifically for the purposes of work. Meanwhile, one;s home country may come off the list above in 2010. You must already have an employer lined up for this option. You must already have a job offer in the US with a specific employer.
In order to be awarded a Visa for temporary residency specifically for work in America, have your Employer file: Form I-129; Cost = $320.00 initially and possibly another $750 or $1500 later. If sucessful, you will be awarded the H-1B Visa for temporary residence to work for a limited number of years.
To immigrate, which means permanent residency because of your job in this instance, your American-based Employer must usually file: Form ETA 750: Offer of Employment in Non-Agricultural Occupations. Your Employer needs to prove that he needs you because he cannot find any qualified residents in America to take the job. This form can be rejected or accepted when completed. However, even if accepted, your Employer must file Form I-140 (Petition for Alien Worker) : Cost = $475.00 <OR> Form I-360 (Petition for AmerAsian Widow/Widower or Special Immigrant): Cost = $375.00.
Canada makes the immigration process easier by publishing a list of JOB TITLES that the nation needs to fill, allowable by foreign nationals. The USA does not do this.
You may apply for a Green Card if you fall into any of these categories:
- EB-1 Priority Workers: 1)You have won a major world-recognized prize in certain career fields; 2) You are an uncommonly exceptional and recognized professor or researcher; or 3) You are a manager or executive subject to international transfer as a matter of course.
- EB-2 Professionals: 1) Sames as E-1; 2) You have an advanced degree such as a PhD in a field lacking professionals in the USA. A Masters Degree may be less likely to gain you access; or 3) You are a physician that will serve in poor areas.
- EB-3 Skilled or Professionals: 1) You earned a BA or BS and do not qualify for EB-1 or EB-2; 2) You are a skilled workers with at least two years training and positive business results; or 3) You are an unskilled worker in a high-demand US job title.
- EB-4 Special Immigrants: 1) You are work in a religion; or 2) You are an employee/former employee of the US Fed Govt in another country.
For more complete information on Immigration matters, please see these ages that contain more detail:
