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WILMOT · DECISION WORKSHEET

Wilmot guide: residence records and employment records answer different questions

USAvisa field guide · 2 minute readReviewed 7 September 2026

Read the general eligibility basics overview

THE SHORT ANSWER

A Canadian permanent resident may have a substantial Canadian career without holding Canadian citizenship. The career can be relevant to some pathways, but residence and employment records must not be used interchangeably.

01

Identify citizenship before the category comparison

Hypothetical example: a long-term resident brings tax and employment records as evidence of life in Canada. Those documents do not themselves establish Canadian or Mexican citizenship for TN. Record actual citizenship accurately, including any Mexican citizenship and its applicable process.

02

Use employment evidence for its actual purpose

L classifications require qualifying organizations, relevant foreign employment and the proposed managerial, executive or specialized-knowledge role. A Canadian employment history may help explain those facts without turning permanent residence into a treaty nationality.

03

Keep the investment nationality inquiry separate

E-2 requires qualifying treaty nationality and generally at least 50% corresponding treaty-national enterprise ownership, along with substantial lawful committed capital, direction and a real nonmarginal business. Do not infer treaty eligibility from a Canadian mailing address or assume residence excludes all other pathways.

SOURCE NOTES

Editorial source review: 2026-09-07. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.

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