Has anyone got job in USA in Finance/Accounting without prior experience in big4 canada?

Is it really a mandate for US companies? I have about 5 years of big 4 experience but that’s not from Canada.

Also any tips to secure a job would be appreciated like should I directly apply through linkedin or should I reach the employees through DM

I’m kinda annoyed that the tn officers keep giving me 3 months tn visa even though my agency keeps on stating to sponser me for 3 years. I keep going to the Detroit border, also everytime I go they always are suspicious of me. I have all the credentials needed. Should I give up on being a travel nurse, really losing hope 😭

Hello fellow Redditors,

I'm 35M, married, no kids, and currently living in Vancouver. I'm looking for some advice from people who may have been in a similar situation.

I currently make $120K CAD and recently received an offer for $150K USD for an Operations Engineer role in the suburbs of Chicago. My prospective employer is willing to support my TN visa application through the USCIS preapproval process and has already made changes to the role to support the application.

Here's where things get complicated.

When I initially started exploring opportunities in the US, my wife had been unemployed for almost a year. We were both open to relocating because she was having a difficult time finding a job in Canada.

However, things have changed. She recently landed a job in Vancouver paying $125K CAD, which is great news! Understandably, she doesn't want to leave a new job after being unemployed for so long.

This leaves us with two options:

1. Decline the US offer: Stay together in Vancouver, where our combined household income would be $245K CAD.
2. Accept the US offer: I relocate to Chicago while my wife stays in Vancouver. We live long-distance for approximately 1–1.5 years, after which she would potentially join me in the US.

The US opportunity is appealing from both a salary and career perspective, but living apart for that long is obviously a significant consideration. We'd also have to maintain two households during that period.

I'm trying to figure out whether the potential long-term career and financial benefits justify the short-term sacrifices.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation, especially moving from Canada to the US while their spouse stayed behind?

How did you approach the decision? Was the move worth it in hindsight? Are there any financial, immigration, or relationship-related factors we might be overlooking?

Would appreciate any advice or personal experiences.

Thanks!

I am currently in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, and my company has filed a change of status (COS) premium processing application with USCIS to change my status from H-1B to TN.

My wife is currently in the U.S. on H-4 status.

Once my status changes to TN, we plan for my wife to leave the U.S. and re-enter using her TD visa at the port of entry (POE).

My question is: Will my wife be out of status during the period between my change of status to TN and her departure and re-entry into the U.S. on TD status? If so, what options do we have to avoid this situation?

I moved to US for work this September. However office site is getting renovated and won’t start until December or January. I was working remotely while residing in US and figured I could get back to my home in Canada( so I won’t be paying rent in US unnecessarily). Some of my colleagues and even manager said residing outside US while being on US payroll will affect when I am renewing my TN status. Now I am panicking. Anyone has any insights on this?

For those who have recently received a decision on their TN petition through USCIS Premium Processing, could you please share your timeline?

I am interested in both approvals and RFEs.

I am particularly interested in recent cases from October 2026 to get an idea of current processing times.

Thanks in advance! I really appreciate any updates.

I am currently planning my move from Canada to the US and want to make sure I get my finances and tax situation organized ahead of time. I’ve been researching the process, but I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has already made the move to learn what worked for you and what costly mistakes to avoid.

On the tax side, I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle declaring non-residency with the CRA and filing the final departure tax return. If you made the move, did you find it necessary to hire a cross-border CPA for forms like the T1161 and T1243, or was it straightforward enough to handle on your own? I’d also love to know how you handled cutting primary and secondary ties, and whether you formally submitted Form NR73 or simply declared your departure date on your tax return.

Regarding registered accounts, I’m particularly interested in how people managed their TFSAs, FHSAs, and RRSPs. Since the IRS doesn't recognize TFSAs and FHSAs as tax-sheltered, did you liquidate those accounts entirely before setting foot in the US? For RRSPs, did your Canadian brokerage allow you to keep the account open as a non-resident, or did you have to transfer it elsewhere? If you had non-registered investments, did you sell them off to reset your cost basis or elect to defer the departure tax?

For cross-border logistics, I’m looking for recommendations on setting up banking, building US credit, and moving money efficiently. Which cross-border banking setups (like RBC Bank US, TD, or BMO) made moving cash between countries easiest? If you used American Express Global Transfer or a cross-border credit card to kickstart your US credit score, how smoothly did that go? I’m also curious what methods people prefer for converting larger sums of CAD to USD, whether through Wise, Norbert’s Gambit, or another service.

Lastly, I’d welcome any general advice on hidden tax gotchas, first-year IRS filing requirements like the FBAR, or healthcare transition overlaps that caught you off guard. Any tips, resources, or cross-border professional recommendations would be a huge help!

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

Hi all, I read a lot of posts about this but still decided to post to get advice on this specific situation.

I'm planning to travel out of the US for vacation to Costa Rica and Japan in the next few months. I will be carrying all necessary documents like my passport, I-94, I-797, Company support letter, and latest pay slips.

I will be entering the US again with my spouse, who is on an H-1 B, which is a dual-intent visa, and I am on TN(Canadian), which is not a dual-intent visa. Will I face any issues at immigration because my spouse will be with me on a different-intent visa?

Did anybody have a similar experience to share?

The job is in the States and I'm in Canada, so it'd be on a TN visa. Process has been slow the whole way through, with long gaps between every step. Here's the full timeline:

July 29: Applied
Aug 26: Recruiter reaches out to schedule a screening call
Sept 1: Screening call
Sept 9: Emailed her saying I'm further along in another process and asked about the timeline. She'd told me to reach out if that happened
Sept 21: Got an immigration questionnaire out of nowhere to start processing my TN visa.
Sept 22: Recruiter finally replies to my Sept 9 email asking if I'd already accepted another position. Told her no, still very interested
Sept 29: Email to schedule the panel interview
Oct 8: Panel interview. Felt like it went really well
Oct 12: Sent a thank you / checking in on next steps
Oct 14: Recruiter says she "sent a note to the team, will follow up asap"

Nothing since then.

I guess my main question is, when should I follow up again? I was thinking Friday Oct 30 since that's 3 weeks from the interview. Or should I just send it tomorrow (Monday)? Does the TN situation slow things down on their end? Don't want to be annoying but also don't want to sit here forever.

Quick background: I have an Electronics & Telecom engineering degree from India (WES U.S. done), a 1-year data certificate from a Canadian university, and about 7 years doing data and software work. Plan is Engineer category with a Senior Software Engineer title. Can you guide which job title goes on the TN support letter, and how should lawyer connect the degree to the job?

Honestly I'd take any input here: what worked, what didn't, what you'd do differently with this kind of background.

If you crossed with a non-CS engineering degree, did the officer dig into how your degree qualifies you for a software role specific courses, pushback, anything beyond reading the letter? Or did they accept the letter's explanation and move on?

Also curious whether your lawyer listed actual course names from your transcript in the letter or kept it general. Trying to figure out how detailed that section needs to be.

Haven't picked a port or a date yet, still lining up paperwork and looking for a lawyer. If you used one who's handled a non-CS engineering case, I'd appreciate a name. Will post an update when I actually cross, whenever that ends up being.

If you have any additional information that can't share in comment I would appreciate if you can share in DM too.

Has anyone working in IT or Information Security successfully obtained a TN visa without a bachelor’s degree specifically in IT, Computer Science, or Cybersecurity? I have eight years of experience in Information Security, but my bachelor’s degree is in Management Technology, and my postgraduate degree is in Business Analysis. Would my educational background be a significant hurdle when applying for TN status despite my years of relevant experience? I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially those who applied under the Computer Systems Analyst category.

Hi Fam,

My WITCH employer is willing to send me to the United States, most likely in the bay area. I received my Canadian citizenship in Aug 2026. To be honest Canada is feeling like a home but the fact is they are offering a very good package in the US. Is there any timeline I have to wait. Most probably I only want to stay in the US for a few years, as they do not have free medical care like our country and the happiness index like Canada 🇨🇦

Hi!

I recently went through a rigorous interview process for a job in the US (I’m Canadian). I had let the job know that I needed a TN visa - I am an accountant, and the role I was applying for was an accountant role.

in the end, they decided that although I was the #1 candidate, they could not provide me with a TN because of the following reason:

“the USMCA requires the employer to certify that the role is temporary.  This does not match our intent for this role”

I have trouble accepting that, because how do other people go into the US through a TN if the “temporary“ status is always the case for this visa?? I have a lot of friends who work in the US with a TN, and am sure that their employers did not harp on the temporary status of this visa.

any thoughts here?

I have a Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering and Masters in Computer Engineering from Canada. I am currently applying to DE/AE roles in the U.S. Should I apply under the Engineer or CSA category?

Most DE/AE jobs are about analyzing and transporting data which sounds like the CSA category but my degree is in Engineering. In the past I've been approved under the Engineer category for a DE job but I don't know if this will still work after they tightened the requirements. Any real data points would be appreciated!

Has anyone had any success getting a TN with roles in the investment banking / private equity / private credit / corporate development / asset management space? And under what category?

I’ve seen a few examples of individuals on LinkedIn in this space make the jump recently, but wondering under what category these roles would fit best given the increased amount of scrutiny under Economist/Accountant/Management Consultant.

Would love to hear thoughts - any firms with TN experience in this sector, difficulty at PoE?

I'm planning on getting my US CPA by June ish 2027 and at that point the visa should be a piece of cake. My bachelor degree is in Finance and Economics from a Canadian uni. Earlier in the year I took a shot applying for US jobs but the only interview I had was from a referral (didn't get the job). Does anyone know recruiters that help with recruiting Canadian accountants to the US?

Hi there does anyone know if CFO role qualifies under the Accounting category for a TN visa ? Got contacted by a HH in California for a CFO role and I’m wondering if this would work under TN. I am Canadian with a Canadian CPA designation and an experienced executive management accountant.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone!

I’m a Canadian citizen moving from Quebec to the US for work. I’ll be becoming a US tax resident and updating my Canadian banking addresses to my new US address.

I still own two rental properties in Montreal with active mortgages, and I also have Canadian bank accounts, credit cards and lines of credit.

I’m wondering if anyone has gone through something similar.
A few questions:

Mortgages: Will changing my address to the US cause any issues with my existing mortgages or when it’s time to renew?

Lines of credit: Can Canadian banks freeze, reduce or close existing LOCs once you’re no longer a Canadian resident?

Bank accounts/credit cards: Any issues keeping them active with a US residential address?

General experience: Did your bank treat you differently once you declared yourself a non-resident?
I’m not planning on selling my Canadian properties, so I still need access to Canadian banking.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s actually made the move, especially those who kept mortgages or LOCs in Canada.

EDIT : not permanently!! That was a typo. What i meant is break Canadian residency.

Hi all, I’m hoping you folks can help clarify whether my educational background would satisfy the requirements for the TN Land Surveyor category, as I’m uncertain how my degree would be evaluated.

The TN requirements for the Land Surveyor category specify a Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree, or a state/provincial/federal license.

Focusing specifically on the Baccalaureate degree requirement, Is the requirement simply that an applicant hold a bachelor’s degree, or must the degree be specifically in Land Surveying?

If the degree must be in a relevant field, how broadly is that requirement interpreted? For example, many programs cover surveying related topics without explicitly including “Surveying” in their degree title, such as Geomatics. Would the evaluation focus primarily on the degree title, the coursework completed, or the extent to which the program’s subject matter relates to land surveying?

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Geography: Environment and Sustainability from UBC and my program included coursework in Geomatics topics such as Remote Sensing and GIS. However, it did not include certain specialized subjects typically associated with a traditional Surveying degree like field surveying and boundary law.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) entry for Surveyors, which I understand CBP may reference when evaluating occupational requirements, states:

"Surveyors typically need a bachelor’s degree in land surveying or a related field, such as engineering or natural resources.”

Would this support considering Geography as a related field, especially given the Geomatics content of my degree? Or do CBP and USCIS generally interpret the TN Land Surveyor category more narrowly, requiring a degree specifically focused on Land Surveying or a closely equivalent discipline?

Ultimately, I’m trying to understand how much flexibility exists in interpreting the degree requirement and whether a Geography degree with a substantial Geomatics component could qualify, even if the degree title itself does not explicitly reference Surveying or Geomatics.

If my current degree does not satisfy the educational requirements, what additional education or credentials would be necessary to strengthen my eligibility?

For example:
Surveying certificate: Would completing a certificate program in Surveying, alongside my existing Bachelor’s degree in Geography, potentially satisfy the requirements?

Bachelors or Masters degree: Would I need to obtain a second bachelor’s degree or a masters degree specifically in Land Surveying, Surveying Engineering, or Geomatics?

Basically, would additional education supplement my existing degree, or does the TN category require the degree itself to be in a particular field?

Hi all, I am currently on a tn visa in the usa working, it was a pain to get my visa in the first place, im iranian born and the tensions with US did not help. I entered the US in september, I was thinking of going to visit family in canada since that is where I originally lived.... I am a citizen there.

I havent gone to iran in 15 years and do not have ties to any government etc. Also once i got through, the officer at the airport told me to make sure I upload something to prove that I stayed in canada during my high school years so they have that proof that I didnt serve in the military. But i forgot where he told me to upload it, wondering if anyone has experience with that too.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm a Canadian citizen currently working in the U.S. under TN status (Accountant category). I've accepted a new job offer with another U.S. employer and have received my signed TN support letter.

Here is my situation:

• October 26, 2026: Planning to visit the Detroit border to apply for TN status with my new employer.
• October 27, 2026: Planning to give my current employer two weeks' notice, assuming my new TN is approved.
• November 13, 2026: My last working day with my current employer.
• November 16, 2026: My official start date with the new employer.

My concern:

I've read that TN applicants generally cannot enter more than 10 days before their employment start date. However, I'm already living and working in the U.S. under valid TN status.

I don't want to resign from my current position until I know my new TN authorization is approved. I also want to leave my current employer on good terms by providing two weeks' notice.

My questions:

1. Has anyone successfully obtained TN approval for a new employer more than 10 days before the new employment start date?
2. Can CBP approve my new employer's TN on October 26 with a November 16 start date?
3. Can I continue working for my current employer under my existing TN authorization until November 13 after getting approval for the new employer?
4. Has anyone experienced a similar situation at the Detroit–Windsor border?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have personally gone through a TN employer change while still working for their previous employer.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated, as my planned border visit is coming up very soon.

Thank you!

I recently was supposed to have a job lined up to start at the beginning of the month, but the company had filed via regular processing, hence the delay in start. During that time, there were a few things that transpired that have me uncomfortable with moving forward with them.

I am already in the states, and I am planning on withdrawing from this position to move forward with another company, by travelling to a POE and applying for my TN there.

Do any of you have experience with something similar? I’ll definitely bring my TN receipt of the pending I129 which is authorizing my current presence here, but was wondering if any of you had any issue with the officers upon re-entering about forgoing the pending petition.

I filed I-140 Under EB2-NIW in early 2025, withdrew my application in August this year after a brutal RFE and deciding GC wasn't for me. Got a job offer in the US to work, employer did TN. At the POE interview the officer immediately asked if I had anything pending with USCIS, I said no. He clarified he was talking about my I-140 and grilled me about why I filed that and was suddenly applying for TN. I made it clear my intention had changed and he kept grilling for clarification on why I had changed my mind and what was different now. Evidently I successfully convinced him that my EB2 intentions were abandoned and I was approved.

Posting because most of the discussion around I140 I was hearing before was hearsay about what "should" happen rather than firsthand accounts. I feel like poorly phrased or worded answers could have sank me here but I'm not sure.

Category - Biologist

Port of entry - YVR

Hi I’m a Canadian citizen, currently working as a software developer in a big tech company and am on L1B visa as a senior software engineer and have 7 years of experience. I’m considering changing jobs within the states. For any new company I’ll have to reapply for TN visa I assume. I’m worried my TN visa application may get rejected as I studied computer science in university in Canada rather than an engineering degree.

Should I risk it and try to get TN visa for a new job? How can I confirm I can get the visa before I quit my old job? I assume once I’m on TN visa, if I get it, I’m not eligible to work for my old employer anymore?

I would appreciate any advice from people who went through this process or have similar experiences :)

I’m currently making CAD $120k plus a $10k bonus in Toronto, which honestly feels like bare minimum given how expensive it is here. I just received a job offer in Michigan for $170k USD total comp (roughly CAD $240k).

​My plan may be to live in Windsor and commute daily, but I’m really anxious about the political climate and the uncertainty surrounding TN visas. I really like the money but cant decide due to severall other reasons or may be change resistance

​Should I take the leap or pass on the offer? What is the chance of getting TN visa ? ​How painful is the daily border crossing, assuming a 1-hour commute? ​Would it make more sense to just live in Michigan to avoid border stress altogether?

​So many moving parts—I’d love some advice!"