- TN visas: applies to also Mexicans
- TNs depend heavily on your degree as they are mapped to TN: (a) there is a category for engineers if you have a formal degree in CS/ECE (b) if you don't have that degree but are an "engineer" (e.g., picked it up on your spare time) you can go through the "Management Consultant" route but to note that is the hardest TN to usually get and will pretty much depend how the visa officers treat you
I would definitely mention the Management Consultant route as there are a lot of people who may not be formally schooled in engineering but have picked it up. 5 years of "equivalent work experience" also can help you obtain this visa category
There is also hidden risks about potentially changing jobs with H1B / TN visas. ONLY SWITCH jobs if you are fully approved for the transfer and new visa. I've had friends that took the new job assuming the visa transfer would go through and were left having to vacate the country. This is the most thing I hate about immigration visas, it's really hard to change jobs and many startups won't want to deal with the hassle of immigration visas.
Also if you're petioning for a green card, be wary of relocating offices at the new job. Pretend that you were relocated to a new office to work on a new project. Be wary that this can mess with your priority date if you're trying to apply for a green card as this may be considered a "new job"
- While you're seeking your green card, you will be lumped into three categories: ** EB-1: workers of extraordinary ability ** EB-2: PhDs/masters/5+years experience in field ** EB-3: bachelors degree/<5years experience
You want to get in the EB-2 category (or EB-1 if you an bullshit your way into there) as there is a large backlog for EB-3 candidates depending on your country of birth. It's highly recommend you work at least 5 years or get a MS before applying for your green card, otherwise be expect to wait for a long time for a green card
For the L1-visa, there is also something known as EB-1C (multinational executive/manager category). This category requires you to hold a management position in a company outside the US. It must be 3 years prior to the application and you must be employed for at least a year in the "management" position. Usually, such employees move to the US on a L-1A or L-1B visa. The big bonus is that there is no waiting period and you don't need a MBA (or higher degree).
- Diversity Visa Program: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa
- This is a great way to potentially get a green card quicker if you come from a specific country ("hose born in any territory that has sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years are not eligible to receive a diversity visa")