[mcrae]

One nit: you can actually transition directly to permanent residency from TN status. The only challenge is that after you file, you can't leave the US! That's why, as you explained, generally the play is to wait to transition to an H1B before starting the process.

For the OP: entering the US with TN status is relatively trivial. FANG companies recognise this, and will interview you more or less as if you had work authorisation in the US. Totally doable also for smaller employers, and is honestly easy enough for you to do on your own if needed.

Either your employer will provide you with documents to show CBP at the border when you first enter and they'll adjudicate your application on the spot, or your employer will apply for the TN a priori which takes only a few weeks - this allows you to enter in a sort of pre-authorised way.

One note on permanent residency: there are limits for employment-based green cards on the basis of your country of birth (not your country of citizenship). This makes things difficult if you were born in India or China.

[taesu]

Thanks for the input. Not born i those countries!