Us Citzenship Canadian?

Question

I'm planning on moving to the US, sometime within the next year or so. I live in Canada now. Would I have any problem moving to the US without first getting a citizenship first? How do I get a citizenship? Do you have to pay? If I have my own transportation and drive to the US, how do I go about getting a US license? Are there anythings I should know or be prepared to do before I move?! Any help would be greatly appreciated. How do I get a dual citizenship?!

Answer 1

You have to get a proper employment visa for temporary employment or immigration visa if you aim to remain permanently and eventually obtain citizenship.  

For immigration, you have to apply, and if you are accepted, you wait in your country until your priority number comes up and you can enter the US.  You say you live in Canada -- but are you a Canadian citizen?  Your citizenship determines how long you wait, and it can be 10-12 years for citizens of very high-immigration countries like India, etc.  You also need a sponsor who is an immediate blood relative.

For a work permit or employment visa, you have to find a job in a category that qualifies for a type of visa with an employer willing and able to apply for a visa for you.  If approved for something like H1-b, you can stay up to 3 years, with the possibility of one 3-year renewal if the employer wishes to continue your employment.  You need a university degree and at least 2 years experience beyond the bachelor's degree for an H1 visa, plus the employer must certify that there are no Americans qualified for the job.

Jobs are getting scarce in the US and it is becoming tougher for employers to certify that there are no Americans qualified for the job when so many Americans are losing their jobs.  Many employers are not renewing work visas or are terminating the positions before visa expiration.  In either case, the visa holder must return to their own country immediately.

You have a lot of homework to do before you try to enter the US.  What is your background, education, experience?  What kind of work do you qualify for, and what visa category does that fall into?  You certainly are not going to be admitted to the US next year.  Even for a work visa, you may have to wait for the 2010 fiscal year by the time you find a job, the employer fulfills all the application requirements, and the quota opens up for that type of visa.