[suzanne4]

The green card can take months to get, and even more than one year. The NAFTA TN Visa is immediate. You can start workk in the US with the NAFTA TN Visa, then work on the green card once you are in the US.

The TN visa just requres the Visa Screen Certificate and a letter from the employer. Quite simple. Green Card is much more detailed.

[Artis]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

The green card can take months to get, and even more than one year. The NAFTA TN Visa is immediate. You can start workk in the US with the NAFTA TN Visa, then work on the green card once you are in the US.

The TN visa just requres the Visa Screen Certificate and a letter from the employer. Quite simple. Green Card is much more detailed.

HI, Suzanne,

I waited for a long time for all my paperwork before I could even travel to the border to obtain my TN visa. Some reasons why I waited for a long time were, for example, the hospital I dealt with could not follow my directions correctly interms of writing up a letter with the details needed for immigration. I had to get 3 rewrites. I agree with you that once you have all the documents that a TN visa is easy to obtain, but I just wanted to say that a green card gives you more freedom to choose although you can have more than one TN visa. I don't know the cost of a green card, but I am sure its more expensive. Also the hospital I dealt with had never heard of a TN visa so they had to check into it before they even wrote me a letter too. Ideally, a TN visa should not take long and it doesnt once you have all your documents ready.

[suzanne4]

Green card cost is about $2000 just for the lawyer's fee, plus the costs of the visa, etc. Average fee by the time that everything is completed is about $4000.

Letter writing = free
It sounds like the issues were with the facility, and is not the normal routine for most facilities. It also doesn't take several re-writes to get things done.

Green card sponsorship will normally get you a two year contract minimum, and not all want that.

[GLAD2BNURSE]

Originally Posted by Artis

HI, GLAD2BNURSE,

I went through the whole process. I applied for the visascreen first, then I took my NClex, then I went to the border to get my TN Visa. If I had to do it again I would apply for a greencard. I think a TN Visa limits you although you can have more than one TN visa. With a TN visa, you must obtain a letter first from the prospective employer stating that they have hired you etc (make sure the letter states exactly what immigration requires, (call them)) and take that to the US/Canadian border with the other documentation, visascreen, US license etc. With a greencard you have more freedom. I would research both avenues if I were you.
Good Luck

HELLO, ARTIS
Thanks a lot for your advice, nothing scares me more than a bunch of paper work and luck of info. Good luck to you wherever you are!
Val.

[Artis]

Originally Posted by GLAD2BNURSE

HELLO, ARTIS
Thanks a lot for your advice, nothing scares me more than a bunch of paper work and luck of info. Good luck to you wherever you are!
Val.

Oh no problem, if I can help in anyway I will. I m in the UK now trying to get my license so if you know of any short cut tips, please send them my way.
take care,

[GLAD2BNURSE]

I'm thinking to find a reliable recruting firm to help me get a job placement and also to take care of the green card, so...... I let them do the work paper work while I'm study for NCLEX-PN. I need a lots of Luck and god be on my side, to find a good recruting firm, to represent me.
I still have a long way in front of me.
Keep in touch & have a good one!

[GLAD2BNURSE]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

The green card can take months to get, and even more than one year. The NAFTA TN Visa is immediate. You can start workk in the US with the NAFTA TN Visa, then work on the green card once you are in the US.

The TN visa just requres the Visa Screen Certificate and a letter from the employer. Quite simple. Green Card is much more detailed.

Hi Suzanne, thank you for clarifying the working visa issue. WOW.... very disappointing.... I'm sooo sad. I want to know your opinoin, for this case scenerio: Le't say that I'll get a job offer as an lpn, can I than apply for green card, I'm willing to pay whathever it takes( Money and Time). Artis said that is safer this way, so you don't have to worry about visa renewal.
What do you think??????
Thanks Val

[suzanne4]

As an LPN, you cannot apply for a green card. I do not care what anyone is telling you otherwise. Immigration will not give you a visa to work in the US based on the LPN license period. You need to have a Visa Screen Certificate, and those are not available to you either.

Artis is speaking of the RN, not the LPN. And they are not in the US, I am.

Not sure what else to tell you.

[freeroad]

Hi Suzanne,
I am wondering:
1. how long it will take to go thru Minnesota for credential approval?
2. how long it will take to endorse to other state, such as California?
3. can you recommend any agencies who can help me with these paper works and finding employers for me?
Thank you!

[suzanne4]

Why do you need an agency to do that for you?
All you need to do is pass the NCLEX-Rn exam, and if your training was not in Englishe, since you are from Montreal, you will need to write the English exams and get a Visa Screen Certificate. That is it.

Why pay someone to handle that amount of paperwork.

Suggest that you read the primer at the top of the International Forum, it is quite detailed in what you need to do.