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[jebratt]

I am a Canadian citizen teaching at the college level in the Caribbean and am interesting in relocating the US (preferably Florida). My concern is that most college in the US do not sponsor work visas so I am wondering what my options are as I am very eager to teach at the college level in America in the near future.

Currently, I am thinking I may need to teach at the secondary level at a private institution as I hear that some do sponsor Visas and then in time, work my way up to a college... Help and thanks in advance !!

(Sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum)

[sciencephd]

Given that you are studying for an MA in English Literature online, I think you need to reconsider this plan. 

I am guessing that high school employment without a teaching certificate in the USA would be very difficult to find, given that you are in the Carribean and need a work visa.  The market is not oversupplied to the extent that you are likely to be considered. 

Sorry.

[jebratt]

Thanks for your response... If I understand your comments correctly, I really do not have much of an opportunity to work in the US at either the secondary or tertiary level because of my situation however my graduate degree will be from an accredited American institution.  I am still curious as to how best to proceed upon completion of my degree as I would very much like to work in the US.  Do colleges employ the same hiring policies for online adjunct faculty?

[seniorscholar]

Your understanding that most colleges in the US do not sponsor work visas is erroneous. However, most colleges in the US require a PhD in the field as the minimum preparation, and sponsoring a work visa means being able to say with a straight face that the no US candidate was equally strong. However, in some fields at my reputable US research university, more than half the department's faculty are immigrants. It depends entirely on the number of applicants in the field and the quality of the candidate's c.v.

[anon99]

As a Canadian citizen you are covered under NAFTA but only for a certain period of time.  It used to be 5 years.  Here is a link to professions covered by NAFTA (this is the first website I found).

http://www.usborderlaw.ca/tn_visa/tn_nafta_visa.html

[boggy]

While it is relatively easy for Canadians to get a TN work visa if they are offered a job in certain categories (prof is one of them), your biggest challenge will be the fact you don't have a PhD.  As a previous poster said, it must be proven to teh Dept. of Labor that you are the best person for the job and no American could have filled the role.  Kind of hard with your qualifications.  Actually the labor cert doesn't come into play until your second visa, as you can only renew the TN visa for a few years (it is for temporary work and doesn't allow you intent to settle).

[losemygrip]

Without a Ph.D., don't bother.  The kinds of schools that would provide visa sponsorship are also the ones that would require terminal degrees.  Community colleges are not likely to provide this.