You or your company has decided that you want to work in or expand your business presence in the United States. What do you need to know now?
The U.S. is the world largest market economy. Canada is its largest trading partner. As a Canadian citizen or company you can take advantage of this situation. Whether you are an individual who wants to work directly for an American company or your Canadian company wants to have an increased presence in the U.S., there are permits and visas available for these purposes.
Do I need a visa or some permit to work or do business in the United States?
As a Canadian Citizen, you do need to obtain permission from the United States Government before you can work or do business in the U.S.
However, there are many available categories of visas and work permits that many Canadians can qualify for. Whether the persons who need to work in the United States are professionals, investors, traders, transferring from a Canadian company to a related American company or only need to enter the U.S. for limited business purposes they can obtain visas or work permits for the United States.
To see if you or your company qualifies for a visa or work permit please call Immigration Ameri-Can for a free consultation.
What can happen to me if I work or do business in the United Sates without obtaining the proper visa or work permit?
Engaging in business in the U.S. without first obtaining a visa or work permit is very risky. Current law provides that if you are found to be working in the United States you can be deported. You could also be barred from entering the United States for periods of up to 10 years. You can be prosecuted criminally and have to serve a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
If the violation or a misrepresentation is discovered at the border, the U.S. authorities can seize the car you drove to the border. These penalties can apply to Canadians who are found to be working at an American company even if that company is a branch of a Canadian company.
The penalties can also be imposed upon a Canadian businessperson who, when crossing the border tells the U.S. officer that they are just going to a meeting when in fact they are intending to do any other activities including visiting American clients to sell their Canadian products. In both of the above situations visas or work permits were available to the individuals that could have made the activities legal.
Know before you go, call Immigration Ameri-Can for a free consultation.
Richard Dupuis, Immigration Ameri-Can 1680, rue King Ouest, Suite 204 Sherbrooke, Quebec
T. 819.563.5777 F. 819.563.6091
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www.immigrationameri-can.com
