I am a Canadian citizen and want to live in the States - any suggestion what visa is needed.
If I want to visit as a visitor can I go without a visa and what is the durantion. do I need to go to the US embassy for this or just check in at the airport and the us customs take over the questioning.
please help...

I want to live and work in the states later on...

As a Canadian Citizen you can go there pretty freely without a visa (but you do need proof of Canadian Citizenship). You can stay in the US for a maximum period of upto 6 months. You cannot however be employed or obtain a job or a Social Security Number in the US.

Please note that if you intend to seek employment in the US, you should declare that intent to Immigration/ Customs when you go as a visitor.

To work you can use either a TN or an H1 (or an L1) visa. A TN is the easiest to obtain provided you are in a specific occupation eligible for TN visa. A TN Visa cannot normally apply for a Green Card.

An H1 involves more paperwork (and financial sponsorship) from the employer and is available for a wider range of technical specialty occupations. An H1 Visa holder can apply for a Green Card.

An L1 or Intra-company transferee visa requires you to be transferred to the same company's location in the US. Your employer must have a Canadian and US presence and you must have worked continously at this employer for a period of 1 year before you can be transferred to the US on an L1 Visa. The Green card process for an L1 Visa holder is significantly shorter as it does not involve the cumbersome Labor Certification process.

Hope this helps.

CAN somebody provide links for more info on this.
How about finance, insurance line CFA, CGA etc. in USA
More specifically,
If I obtain a CFA desiganation or do a complete desigantion( not advisor or Life level I type) ... what are my chances.

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