Design & code at DoorDash, prev. Instagram, Headspace, Red Bull.

Frank Bach

The TN visa is the easiest way for a Canadian to get into the U.S. I wrote about my journey on Medium.

I was able to do work for multiple employers while on both the TN and H1B because both visas can have concurrent employers. TN is way easier since it can be applied for at the border for a small fee.

As for being self-employed, as a TN or H1B holder, you’re allowed to OWN a business in the U.S. but you aren't allowed to work on it while in the U.S. I made sure to ONLY work on those projects while out of the country. For example, I would regularly drive to Tijuana MX to do speaking engagements. We also launched Sunshine Shop from outside the country. I would sometimes try to line up a freelance gig while I was visiting family in Canada for longer periods of time.

These may seem like loopholes because they kind of are, but the USCIS or CBP cannot control what you do when you're outside of the country. If there’s a will there’s a way. :) Let's just say the day I got permanent residency, I was jumping for joy. Best of luck!

The TN visa is the easiest way for a Canadian to get into the U.S. I wrote about my journey on 

I was able to do work for multiple employers while on both the TN and H1B because both visas can have concurrent employers. TN is way easier since it can be applied for at the border for a small fee.

As for being self-employed, as a TN or H1B holder, you’re allowed to OWN a business in the U.S. but you aren't allowed to work on it while in the U.S. I made sure to ONLY work on those projects while out of the country. For example, I would regularly drive to Tijuana MX to do speaking engagements. We also launched Sunshine Shop from outside the country. I would sometimes try to line up a freelance gig while I was visiting family in Canada for longer periods of time.

These may seem like loopholes because they kind of are, but the USCIS or CBP cannot control what you do when you're outside of the country. If there’s a will there’s a way. :) Let's just say the day I got permanent residency, I was jumping for joy. Best of luck!

I'm Canadian too and was looking into migrating to the US and saw the TN visa seems the easiest way for tech jobs. TN doesn't allow freelancing or starting side businesses though, and since you managed to do both I'm assuming you didn't do that type of visa. which one worked best for you? thank you!

Frank Bach

what visa did you do to move to the US? was it hard as a Canadian citizen?

Subscribe to Frank Bach

Frank Bach