Looking for info on Indonesian nurses becoming US - RNs, and ballpark on timeframe

World Immigration

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Hey all,

This might be unusual, but I'm not actually a nurse. I'm researching information about coming to work in America as a nurse for my girlfriend, who is an Indonesian nurse. Her English is great and she could probably do all of this herself (actually I think she is right now) but I'm just researching it all so I get a better understanding of the process myself as well.

I read through the stickies at the top of the forum, and have been reading through various websites about the different types of nurses in America and the process for becoming a nurse from abroad.

I have to say, I'm surprised anyone ever makes it, it seems incredibly difficult.

One thing I couldn't find much information on was.....how long does it usually take to take the English test, go through CGFNS and get your CES, go through the state BON and get your ATT, register for & take the NCLEX-RN test, take the TOEFL test, get your Visa Screen Certificate and actually get a job?

I know that these are all highly variable, and depend on how long a number of forms take to process, when you can take the various tests, etc....I'm just looking for some ballparks. Does it usually take 3 years? More?

Right now we are at the cusp of having to make some big decisions in terms of where we are going to work and live for the next year. Although I have lots of information about the process, it's hard to make an informed choice about if we should go through it or not, and when we should start, without knowing a general idea of how long it might take.

This is of particular interest to us because we have to decide if we will do a long-distance relationship while she goes through the application process so I can keep my current (fairly high paying) job. If it's going to take years we either need to look for another course of action, or I need to move to Indonesia and accept a drastically lower wage.

In any case, thanks for your time reading through all that. I'm hoping we can find a good option and a good career for her in America. Any advice, tips or comments are welcome. I'm just starting to learn about all this, haha, so anything can help.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Are you an American citizen? Going through process for application to be a RN and sit NCLEX usually takes 4-8 months depending on state but look at average of 4 months, if VSC is required then another 1-2 months once NCLEX has been passed and application submitted. Regarding waiting time, well with retrogression looking at 6 plus years once found employer and filed for immigrant visa, is specialized may be lucky to find employer willing to go H1b route but expect that to be hard as a very expensive process and employer has to pay all costs.English exam will be required for VSC.

If you are a USC then marriage may be an option and will be quicker as 2 ways to do it both may take up to 12 months processing but she will get an immigrant visa and will not require VSC.

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I am a US citizen, but we are not rushing for marriage and I don't think we will be married by the time this application process begins or finishes. We would likely marry sometime after she arrives here and finds work, but I hadn't seen any indication this would be a problem. Am I missing anything?

I appreciate your response about the time frame the application and testing process takes.

I wasn't sure what you mean about retrogression and looking at 6 plus years, can you explain that a bit more?

Thanks again!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Retrogression basically means demand is more than visa allocation. Currently nurses come under EB3 and current processing for EB3 for most people is 2006 which means once your girlfriend meets state requirements, passes NCLEX and finds a employer willing to wait the 6 plus years and files immigration papers she joins the queue (rather long queue) and waits for her PD date to become current

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Is retrogression for nursing visas currently a world-wide problem, or is it country by country?

I was looking online after reading your message and, while I can find many bulletins that talk about the world-wide retrogression problem, they only seem to discuss priority dates for India, China and the Philippines. How would I find out what the priority date would be for an applicant from Indonesia?

I guess if it's going to take 6 years then it's impossible. In that situation we would probably wait until after we are married to come to America so she can use a spousal visa. Can she work in America as an RN using a spousal visa if she has completed all the normal steps and passed the NCLEX-RN?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Here is the link to the US visa bulletin

If the country isn't on the list ie India, China, Mexico, Philippines then they come under Rest of world. Nurses generally come under EB3 unless they have something higher like Masters and the job meets that requirement so could be EB2 or EB1.

If she comes over on a Fiancee visa then you have (think it is 90 days) to get married and then submit paperwork to change her status, she will then get a immigrant visa and can work. If she comes over on spousal visa then she has a immigrant visa as soon as she lands and can work. Each visa will require an interview at a US embassy

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