Future nursing from UK to USA

World Immigration

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Okay, so I'm about to begin doing my BA (Hons) Nursing Degree in the UK but my life long ambition is to nurse in Texas (Dallas area). I know I need to do my degree and the NCLEX test but what else do I need to know in order to make this life long dream of mine a reality? I know my degree is going to take 3 years but what sort of time scale am I looking at for this to make it actually happen?

Any help or advice would be hugely appreciated

Many thanks

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Definitely check with the university but the clinical and theory hours must show on your transcripts at the end of your training when you graduate. and the time waiting for a immigrant visa ie 6 plus years doesn't start until your employer files I140 for immigrant visa and most employers will require eligibility to sit NCLEX or have passed NCLEX. So on top of your training is where you need to add on the extra years.

I don't think your father can apply for you until he is a USC and depending whether his work is willing to go that route ie for him to apply for a greencard and obtain permanent residency and then apply to be a citizen you will be well over the age of 21 years

My suggestion is keep an eye on what is happening with immigration and retrogression and once you have graduated look at what is happening and whether retrogression is still in progress

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes SD has made an excellent point. The hours in peds,OB and mental health will have to be shown clearly on the transcript or they won't count.

Specializes in NICU.

Hi Silverdragon,

Permanent Residents *can* petition children, whether they are under/over the age of 21. If you look at the Department of State Visa Bulletin, you'll see this on the link that I posted. They only allow a certain number of people to be able to get a visa number each month, which is why there can be a wait. The OP would qualify under F2A or F2B if her Dad becomes a PR. Additionally, he can petition for the OP as a PR and then later upgrade the petition to change the waiting times when/if he becomes a citizen (you can be a dual Brit/American citizen).

oh- And OP if you want your Dad to petition you this way, you can't be married (until you get over here, then you could get married and then petition them over).

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

BabyRN the OP says there father is on a work visa so I don't think this will be accepted because work visa I believe doesn't qualify as PR

Specializes in NICU.

That's also why I said, "if he becomes a PR." Depending on the work situation, you can get an employer to sponsor a green card. Or it's possible he qualifies as a son of a PR (if grand parents over there or a sibling) or gets married to a USC.

Specializes in ITU, Surg, District & School Nurse.

The lengthy visa process time is the least of your problems, it is a very rare occurance for US hospitals to recruit overseas nurses now, I passed my NCLEX 4 years ago and my original job offer was withdrawn because of retrogression, so 5 years on from starting the emigration process we are no further forward than the day I passed my test because I am yet to secure a job offer to allow us to move onto the next stage of applying for a visa :(

Unfortunately I am over 21 by a fair few years now lol so I'm left to do this on my own although he has applied for his Greenland. I will definitely keep an eye on everything and more so once I graduate. I know it's going to take a fair few years but I WILL get there eventually...thank y'all for all your advice and info, it is extremely helpful

Specializes in ITU, Surg, District & School Nurse.

You should apply for family based visa as soon as he gets his greencard, with the way things are for nurses, it may be a quicker route!

Specializes in NICU.

I second AZ Hopeful's suggestion. As soon as he gets the card, he should put in the paperwork. Even if you apply for a nursing visa later, it doesn't affect it because you can have multiple petitions going. If he decides to be a USC in 5 years after, he can also upgrade the petition as well. But you can't get married during the time processing (although you can get married after).

It's currently an 8 year wait for unmarried sons/daughters of permanent residents (F2B category)

We are going to apply for DH's sister (a Brit) as soon as he gets citizenship next year. She may not want to come (the wait is 10 years for siblings of US citizens), but anything can happen in 10 years and it'd be nice for her to have the option.

On a plus side, i do know people willing and in a good position to sponsor me

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
On a plus side, i do know people willing and in a good position to sponsor me
That is good however still have to wait several years for immigration visa allowing you to live and work. Sometimes better to put eggs in a few baskets and not rely on one

That's what I thought too

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