TN Economist Category Visa Changes Dec 19, 2017 - Any TN Economists Working in Hedge Funds?
The USISC today imposed restrictions on individuals working in the U.S. under the NAFTA TN Visa's Economist category. This change disallows people working in Financial Analyst and Market Research Analyst roles from obtaining the TN visa. My question to all those working in investment analysis roles at US hedge funds on TN visas is that does this change impact you, and what is your job description listed as in your TN applications?
Now, regarding whether there is going to be a grandfathering clause here or not, legal opinion is split on that. Some say the policy change affects only new applicants (those freshly applying and those renewing existing visas), while some say that existing holders may be re-tested by CBP officers upon attempted re-entry in the U.S. following travel abroad (namely, back to Canada). My theory here is that existing holders will be fine for the time being, but if you are travelling back home for Christmas (We can at least say 'Merry Christmas' again!) then make sure you have a way to spin whatever it is you do as macroeconomic research. Then again, if they want to drill someone (I doubt it) in PE, IB, or at a HF, there's nothing you can say, without violently lying, that won't be blatantly interpreted as the duties of the newly excluded, previously accepted "Financial Analyst" extension of the "economist" role. In sum, everyone's best bet is to find an American significant other and EXPEDITE marriage ASAP. GLTFA.
Look, I read through this carefully and talked to my lawyer today.
If you are on TN Visa, you should be okay for now.
If you need to get on a visa, you must state that your "PRIMARY" duty is as an economist, but you can state that "Secondary" duty may involve the duties of a financial analyst. Ie. make sure to talk your lawyer to ensure your letter states it 100%.
I think people are overreacting to this news, the laws are the same, UCIS has had this policy for many years for computer programmers who work on TN Category "Computer System analyst". A computer system analyst's PRIMARY duty is to analyze systems, not program, even though they may still program as a secondary duty.
Now, there are thousands of programmers who get visas as system analysts, even though all they do is program, and don't analyze systems at all, but smart lawyers can draft a letter that describes their duties as system analyst, and when CBP asks what their primary duty is they respond it is analyzing systems not programming.
TL:DR No laws have been changed, USCIS will be scrunitizing more, but the way around this issue is to have your lawyer draft a letter that emphasizes your primary duty is economist and secondary duty is financial analyst, and you will be okay.
I flew back this morning from Pearson to LGA and it was not an issue at all. Officer did not ask any additional questions after "what do you do?" I responded, "I'm an economist." I think my job description does legitimately fit that of an economist, but I was still happy to not have any trouble.
No issue on my end. It seems the next test will be for new apps. Btw you are all deserters for abandoning this thread and failing to share your respective experiences. To be honest, I probably hate 99.99% of you so I have no idea why I am even extending the courtesy of informing you all about my own experience or giving this thread any further momentum. Frankly, I hope you all get sent back to your frozen wasteland homes and are subsequently forced to pray to a macaroni sculpture of your socialist messiah PM who also happens to be the confirmed son of Fidel Castro. Typical bunch of free-riding, low-to-no conviction, value-sucking, spineless Canadians who say sorry superficially and smile through their teeth. SHAME!
Well to be fair, Canadians have benefited from socialized education and enjoyed virtually unrestricted access, through the 'economist' loophole (yes, it was a loophole), to the u.s. financial services industry since the inception of nafta. Given that people in the u.s. pay and risk a lot more to go to school, and that Canadians coming in to work as bankers or traders are not exactly contributing much to economic growth, it is somewhat unfair to allow this virtually unrestricted access to continue. The 'economist' loophole allowed many Canadians to escape the frozen wasteland and get rich, but now it seems that the gravy train is simply coming to an end and we will all have to face the reality that Canada is an aristocratic swamp run by 40 families and incapable of meaningful wealth creation -some combination of insurance scams, fraud, and shwarma/falafel shops is the way to get wealthy here.
Here's your best bet:
Go to top b-school. Put down the bottle of soya sauce, get ripped, and set aside minimum of 10K USD. Go to a ton of orientation /pre-mba events, scout and vet all of the domestic broads (don't be creepy about it, rather be analytical) -I recommend gauging pro or anti-trump sentiment as the only real effective barometer here I.e. if she is anti trump then she is probably sjw relativist zombie and not the partriarchial, freedom loving cat that you want. Anyhow, once you identify a single chick who happens to be a Western chauvenist and loves DJT, then commit to seriously courting her; lock it down and date her for 18-24 months (length of mba program); draw down on that $10K that you set aside in AAA corporate bond ETFs or whatever and buy a ring from a diamond wholesaler and propose to her. Once you finish the mba, you will be able to work for 12 months on a student visa after, during which time you will be on track to wed this chick and enroute to the sacred green card.
Otherwise, network your butt off, try to find an employer who will be flexible with tn visa application (assuming nafta persists), and go that route.
If unsuccessful, secure managerial position with multinational in Toronto and try to move to vacant US position after one year on a L1 visa.
If all else fails, write DJT a handwritten letter claiming political persecution at the hands of the Trudeau government for your refusal to use gender neutral pronouns, and pray to the Almighty that you're granted asylum.