International nursing students in the US

World Immigration

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For those of you that are studying in the US under either an F-1 visa, or any other where you do not have permission to work, and will need to apply for a green card when you finish your schooling-----this is for you.

You must meet all of the requirements for immigration that a foreign-trained nurse does, the only exception that you have is that the English requirements are waived for you. You still need to submit the application and get a Visa Screen Certificate. This is offered by CGFNS and the application is available on their website, http://www.CGFNS.org. There is only one application available, whether you did your training in the US, or overseas.

You will still need to find an employer that will petition for your green card. You will still need to undergo a physical exam at a physician's office that is approved by USCIS an have verification of all titers and vaccinations. If you do not have verifiable proof of having had chicken pox, etc., you will need to have either a titer drawn, or receive the vaccination. Immigration is very strict now with this, they will no longer go on what you are verbally telling them.

Hope that this helps...............most of you will also be able to get an OPT for one year of training while your documents are being processed, but you can only receive the OPT once, especially if this is now a second career for you, and you already used your OPT status for the other.

If you are coming to the US just for the MSN, and already have a BSN from overseas, you will be required to write the English exams. You are only exempt from them if this is your initial training as a nurse, meaning ADN or BSN only.

This is done all of the time. I answered your pm.

Yes it is possible, you will apply for OPT if you are F1, and take it from there. The hospital where you will be doing your clinicals may be able to help. Talk to them.

Hello suzanne4,

First of all, thank you so much for helping all of us out and answering our questions. I do have couple more:

I graduated from US university with BSN degree last May and just got my RN license in NY. :balloons: Currently I am on a A2 visa and live in NY. I do understand that my best choice will be applying for a green card (once I will find an employer). Now can you please clarify it for me:

Do I need to apply for a Visa Screen and credential verification in NY or just the visa screen?

- should I take any English proficiency tests?

- should I be looking for a hospital before I get that visa screen certificate or only once I got it?

- Do you have any idea how long is the process from the minute you get your visa screen done till you get you green card?

-what are my options for working in the meantime?

- are you familiar with any hospitals in NY area that will hire nurses in my situation?

Thank you in advance,

If you already have the NY license, then you do not need the credentials verification for NY. That is only for foreign-trained nurses.

Since you did your training in the US, you do not need the English exams, they are waived for you. The only thing that you will need is the Visa Screen Certificate. Unfortunately, you did not get the OPT before you graduated, so you will be unable to work, until after you find an employer, and an Adjustment of Status is submitted on your behalf. It will be aproximately two months or so after the paperwork is submitted. You do not need to wait until you actually have the green card in hand.

Not sure where you are in NY, if you mean the NYC area? or?

Where did you attend school? Best sugestion is to begin with some of the facilities where you did your clinicals since they are already familiar with you.

I am going to apply for a green card. I heard that there is a new immigration policy, which is that I 140 and I 458 can not file together. I 458 can only be filed after the approval of I 458. Does it affect a nurse who belong to schedule A? How fast will be the process?

Thank you.

Vicky

Actually it is I-485. Where are you currently? Actually, if you are in the US, the process can be done in its entirety in about six months...........that is for Calfiornia and how fast your attorney and immigration get things done. I have heard recently of about four months for one from beginning to end. But that is rare, more in the six month range.

But you do not do the applying, your employer has to petition on your behalf.

Hi,everyone!Hi Suzanne!

May be my questions are the same ? that on the forum,but I really confused.I don't want to ask help from the agency yet.

I'm an international student,just got BSN and starting my OPT in NY soon. I'm planning to take Nclex in October. My questions are:

1.If I'll send my VSC application after NCLEX, is it possible to the Hospital to send GC application at the same time? Or I need to wait until I'll get VSC,it means after few months?

2.After OPT if i'm not receiving my GC yet ,can I work? Is it legal to be in US until my papers are in process?

3. Can I visit my country while i'm waiting for GC?

Thank you :)

Since you did your training in the US, you will receive your VSC much quicker. The way things are being processed right now, you should have your green card in hand before your OPT expires. Speak to your immigration lawyer, there is a document that can be filed so that you can go home for a visit.

suzanne4 said:
Since you did your training in the US, you will receive your VSC much quicker. The way things are being processed right now, you should have your green card in hand before your OPT expires. Speak to your immigration lawyer, there is a document that can be filed so that you can go home for a visit.

Thank you, Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,

I'm an F-1 student in the ADN program. I was denied asylum, do you think this will affect me, when I graduate in May if I try to apply for a green card through an employer? 

sunzzi said:
HI!! Suzanne,

This is me, sunzzi again. I'm in F-1 status ... and had gone thru CGFNS for my credentials verification. I m applying for license from CO. I just knew that I have to get a visa screen certificate.

I think its my bad...because my Toefl score expire on sep. 5th. But As previously, I have dealt with CGFNS...and also I have already taken eng. comp. I & II in my college. Is there anyway to avoid facing Toefl exam again?

I m dealing with NCLEX now...dun wanna anymore exams...

Sigh....

Sunzzi

RNIAM06 said:
Hi Suzanne,

I'm an F-1 student in the ADN program. I was denied asylum, do you think this will affect me, when I graduate in May if I try to apply for a green card through an employer? 

Applying for asylum is different from the green card application process. But not knowing anything else about your case, it would be hard to give you an answer based on just this information. The green card is going to be the only route that is available to you....my suggestion is to contact the attorney who handled your case with immigration.

Applying for asylum is different from the green card applicaiton process. But not knowing anything else aobut your case, it would be hard to give you an answer based on just this information. The green card is going to be the only route that is available to you....my suggestion is to contact the attorney who handled your case with immigration.

Thanks Suzanne4,you're so good at what you do.

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