So you are thinking about working in the US?

Speaking as one who hails from the great white north, it is definitely possible, especially in the career of audit. The best initial advice I can give is to speak with an immigration attorney and go through the specifics of your situation, as each case is different and has its own nuances best handled by the experts.

But for general advice, it comes down to a couple of issues. A full green card with the unrestricted right to live and work in the US is not readily available to a Canadian citizen unless you have family already with their citizenship. (i.e., mother or father already holding US citizenship.) A Canadian citizen can get a green card through his or her spouse if the spouse is a US citizen. (For those people out there who are single, marrying an American citizen would probably be a much more drastic method of working in the USA, but don't worry, for thanks to the American government and the shortage of qualified professionals in audit, there is an easier solution.)

NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement that basically gives the right to a person within certain specific professions who meet criteria established by the agreement, to perform that job in America, at least on a temporary basis. The only caveat is that you have to have a US company agree to hire you and have all your documentation to that effect prior to entering. This being done, at the border or customs, you must request a TN status and have the following with you:

• Copy of your degree and employment records proving your work in the related field as outlined by the agreement.
• A letter from your future US employer offering you the job based in the US.

Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa, but instead receive "TN" status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (BCIS) at the port of entry. The "TN" status will only be granted if the period of stay is temporary.

What can then happen after a period of employment (at the company's complete discretion), is that the professional worker can apply for an H1B visa that would provide a more permanent status than the TN status.

For more information, visit the following website:

United States Department of State

The US market for audit professionals is extremely active right now, and we at Lander International have a great success rate placing Canadian auditors in US positions. Making a move to the United States is a big decision, but it can ultimately be a very rewarding one. The strong financial opportunities, the two T's as they call it in Canada (Temperature & Taxes), the chance to experience a new cultural environment and see new areas of North America are all very compelling reasons to undertake the adventure. I would advise each and every one of you who is thinking about making the transition to carefully research the areas of the country you are considering to find out all aspects pertaining to cost of living, climate, local activities etc.

For those who are considering the move for the first time outside of Canada, remember there are no Tim Hortons* in the United States, so pack accordingly.

* For the curious among us, Tim Hortons is a popular doughnut chain in Canada. It is famous for its coffee, doughnuts, and especially its Timbits (doughnut holes). Ed.