Q. I am a Canadian Citizen. I wish to move to the US and invest in a business there. I heard that I can get a US business Visa if I buy a business. Is this true?

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A.  There are different “US business visas” available for Canadians. If you wish to buy a business in the US, you may be eligible for what is called an E-2 Visa. E-2 Visas can be issued at the US Consulate for applicants that make a “substantial investment” in a US business in the US, and own at least 50% of their business in the US. For more information about E-2 Visas you can go here

Last month, British Colombia was the first of the provinces to bring out the “Enhanced” driver’s license.This license acts as a substitute for passports when entering into the US via land or water (you still require a passport at the airport).

So far these licenses are only in beta format (testing) with 500 of these licenses issued to Canadian citizens born in BC. However, if the program is deemed successful,  Canadian citizens with valid driver’s licenses will be issued these new licenses throughout BC.  Continue Reading »

Though not at all surprising from the perspective of Immigration lawyers, in a recent article in the Washington Post a senior research associate at Harvard Law School and executive in residence at Duke University indicates that, if not the government, at least the residents of the United States are understanding the importance of a diverse immigrant population.

The Washington Post article cited quite astounding statistics relating to just how much of a significant part of the US economy comprise of immigrants.

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Dear Mary,

I thought I’d drop you a note.

Those Homeland Security people can be pretty tough.

I arrived at the Toronto Airport for my US Work Permit application 6:30am and found a list outside. I wrote my name in and noticed well more than a dozen names above mine starting at 5:00 am.

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If you are planning to travel to the US as a business visitor, you may be admitted without having to apply for a formal US Work Permit. However, upon entry to the US, you have to demonstrate that your activities in the US fall under the B-1 visa category.

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Working  and living in the US is a dream for many people. We receive inquires from people wishing to live and work in the US on a regular basis. In most cases, in order to work in the US, you need a US Work Permit which requires a US job offer from a employer in the US. US Work Permits such as H-1B Visas, TN Visas and O-1 Visas  for example all require US job offers. However, in some cases, a US Work Permit can be obtained by starting your own business. An E2 Visa may be most appropriate in this case. Or if you are being transfered from your existing business or company located outside the US to a new or existing US office, then an L1 Visa may be necessary.

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