Most U.S. based companies and recruiters don’t know about the special E-3 visa for Australians. As a result, talented Australians are far too often rejected from job opportunities as they are placed in a “need sponsorship” category. Recruiters in the U.S. will often think that Australians need the H-1B to work in the US, which is a far more complex and expensive visa option.
However, Recruiters in the U.S. are likely to know about the TN, and how it differs from the H-1B. Tell recruiters the E-3 visa is similar to the TN, and get them out of the H-1B headspace. Hopefully, you’ll start to get more traction with interviews.
Here’s how the E-3 visa and TN are similar:
1. The E-3 visa and TN were formed based on a treaty with the United States.
The E-3 visa was created as a result of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), AUSFTA came into effect in 2005 and is a preferential trade agreement between Australia and the United State.
The TN visa was created as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA came into effect in 1994, establishing special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico.
2. The E-3 visa and TN enable Australians (E-3), and Canadians or Mexicans (TN) to work in the United States.
The E-3 visa enables Australian citizens, who meet the requirements, to work in the US for 2 years at a time. The TN visa enables Canadians and Mexicans, who meet the requirements, to work in the US for 3 years at a time.
3. Both the E-3 visa and TN visa can be renewed theoretically indefinitely.
E-3 visas are granted in 2-year increments and theoretically are renewable indefinitely as long as the applicant does not display an intent to immigrate permanently to the U.S.
Here’s how the E-3 visa is even better than the TN:
1. The E-3 visa works for a wider variety of job roles than the TN, which is available for limited job categories.
2. The E-3 visa has a E-3 spouse-dependent visa whereby the spouse can work. The TN does not.
A friendly reminder, Aussie Recruit is not a US immigration practice and does not give US immigration advice. You should not act on the information shared, without seeking your own professional advice.
