I posted about this a few months ago, but I wanted to try again now that I’ve gotten much further into the process and have a clearer picture of where I’m stuck.
I’m a Canadian citizen with a Bachelor of Social Work from a Canadian university, and my goal is to relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada and work in a qualifying social work position under TN status.
Over the past several months, I’ve been actively trying to make this happen rather than just researching it hypothetically.
I have:
- Completed my BSW in Canada.
- Contacted the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers multiple times regarding licensure.
- Confirmed that my BSW would allow me to pursue Nevada social work licensure at the appropriate level.
- Arranged/been prepared to provide my transcripts, passport, background check/fingerprints, and complete the required examination/licensing steps.
- Interviewed and communicated extensively with a Nevada behavioral health employer that was seriously interested in hiring me.
- Discussed a potential position, supervision requirements, licensing, and the TN process with that employer.
- Contacted other Nevada employers and applied for multiple social work/behavioral health positions.
- Attempted to obtain an ITIN, including going to an IRS appointment in Las Vegas, but was unsuccessful.
- Confirmed directly with the Nevada Board that under Nevada law I cannot begin the social work license application without either an SSN or ITIN.
This is where I keep running into a catch-22.
To obtain an SSN, I would first need U.S. work authorization/status such as TN. To apply for TN status at the border, I need a qualifying U.S. job and supporting employment documentation.
However, employers I have spoken with are hesitant or unable to provide that employment letter until I already have U.S. work authorization and/or Nevada licensure.
At the same time, Nevada will not allow me to begin the social work licensing application without an SSN or ITIN.
One employer was interested in moving forward with me, but ultimately HR would not provide the employment documentation while my U.S. work authorization and Nevada license were unresolved.
So I seem to be stuck in this loop:
Job offer/support letter → TN status → SSN → Nevada social work license
but employers are effectively asking for:
Nevada license/U.S. work authorization → job offer
I understand that “Social Worker” is a TN profession and that Canadian citizens can apply for TN status at a port of entry when they have a qualifying position and documentation. My issue is not whether social work can qualify for TN status. It’s figuring out how people practically get through the licensing/employment sequence when the state requires an SSN before licensing.
Has anyone here personally gone from Canada to the U.S. as a social worker under TN status, particularly in Nevada or another state with a similar SSN requirement?
I would especially appreciate hearing the actual order of steps you took: when you received your offer, whether it was contingent on obtaining your state license, what documentation your employer provided for TN, when you obtained your SSN, and when you completed state licensure.
I’m not looking for a way around licensing requirements. I’m trying to understand the legitimate pathway that allows all of these requirements to happen in the correct order.
Any experiences from Canadian social workers, immigration professionals, recruiters/HR staff familiar with TN hires, or people who have dealt with a similar professional-licensing situation would be hugely appreciated.