[maro]

Quick reply.

CPT does not count for yout OPT time if you work 20 hours max a week.

You apply for OPT to USCIS thru your DSO... where is your school?

As per the EAD.... I will reply later. I am running out now

Originally Posted by nrswnabee

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hi maro! i was doing 2 things while composing my post so i felt i didn't express my concerns really well..but hey, thanks for the quick response!~

so i will be applying for opt (to uscis?) before i end my last term in school... i suppose i have to do this through the dso, right?

i've long wanted to try cpt but i read somewhere that the time i will use for this purpose will be deducted from my opt (12 months)..how true/accurate is that? also, in the school that i attend, i was made to understand that i have to register with their 3-unit internship course (and pay tuition of about $900!) inorder to find work? is this the same as cpt? and since i'm not formally in the nursing program at this time, i will be an intern as a gen. studies student (clerical work/admin work). that's no problem except that i think it's not worth my time specially so if it (cpt) will be counted against my opt?

also, i asked if i can secure an ead (work permit) instead but the dso advised against it. she says that it can take up to 4-5 months and is given only if you are considered in dire need (extreme economic reasons). she says uscis asks for many support documentation (affidavits, etc.) and there isn't any guarantee that the tedious exchange will bring favored results.

what do you think? i think i want to pursue this ead as it will only cost me usd185 (instead of usd900). i believe i'm in dire need because my funds are really all going down the drain with the tuition fees raised recently, the ridiculous cost of books and just the everday expenses of being a student. it's insane.

i'll pm you soon...i just thought posting these queries could be of help to t others, too.

thanks again....

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by nrswnabee

hello...it's been months since i last logged.. i just wanna acknowledge suzanne4 for all the inputs she gave me.

i'm now on an f1 visa (from b1/b2) and have recently applied with the nursing program of the school i attend. i have only microbiology and anatomy and physiology to do next spring then i'm off to clinicals. by fall 2006, i will start with the nursing proper which will run for 4 terms and 1 summer. i have a a few questions:

1. when is the best time to apply for opt so i will secure it before soon as i graduate by May 2008?

2. is it advisable to use opt while in school or better in 12 consecutive months after graduation?

3. does the uscis determine the start date of opt or i request the start date on the document? i wish to have a june 2008 start date so there is seamless transition with the facility i plan to join.

4. is it advisable that i do my opt with a facility that can sponsor/petition for my green card? is it okay to mention this matter when seeking employment after graduation (on opt status)?

5. what exams/screens should i worry about (in what sequence?) after i graduate?

thanks...

The only exam that you will need to take is the NCLEX exam.
I would not worry at all about the OPT at this point. There may be some changes coming to the program. And yes, it is advisable to do the OPT with the facility that is going to hire you, just makes it easier for the both of you, but it is not a requirement.

[waynetautz]

Hi NRSWNABEE, (Hi Suzanne)

I read your post regarding your status as an F1 from a B1. I was wondering if you would be so kind to advise me on some things. I am currently in North Carolina on a B1B2 status. I entered the US as a visitor, not as a prospective student. I have been convinced by my brother while I was here to take up nursing and so I went to apply at a school. I recently received my I-20 from the college of my choice. I am now in a dilema as to where to apply for my F-1. Initially, I planned to change my status here but after doing research, I have been made aware of the difficulties of going down that road as USCIS is very strict about people coming in as visitors and then change their status to F-1.

1. At your port-of-entry, prior to receiving your I-20, did you come in as a visitor or as a prospective student?

2. Did you change your status here in the US or did you exit and applied for your F-1 in your home country?

Thanks

WayneTautz

[nrswnabee]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

The only exam that you will need to take is the NCLEX exam.
I would not worry at all about the OPT at this point. There may be some changes coming to the program. And yes, it is advisable to do the OPT with the facility that is going to hire you, just makes it easier for the both of you, but it is not a requirement.

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happy new year everyone!!!

thanks, suzanne4 for your reply.

i know i'm a bit of an eager beaver asking about opt when i haven't even started with my nursing courses. =) but then i'm the kind who likes to map out plans ahead....

i'm curious about the "changes coming into the program" you mentioned. is it the opt program you refer to? will the "change" be in favor or against f1 nursing students in particular???

about exams, i hope your stickies on int'l nursing/ quickest way... would still be around by the time i finish my adn otherwise i promise i won't hesitate to shoot you "broken-record" like questions.. you wouldn't tire answering them, would you??

your posts are goldmine! thanks again.

[nrswnabee]

Originally Posted by waynetautz

Hi NRSWNABEE, (Hi Suzanne)

I read your post regarding your status as an F1 from a B1. I was wondering if you would be so kind to advise me on some things. I am currently in North Carolina on a B1B2 status. I entered the US as a visitor, not as a prospective student. I have been convinced by my brother while I was here to take up nursing and so I went to apply at a school. I recently received my I-20 from the college of my choice. I am now in a dilema as to where to apply for my F-1. Initially, I planned to change my status here but after doing research, I have been made aware of the difficulties of going down that road as USCIS is very strict about people coming in as visitors and then change their status to F-1.

1. At your port-of-entry, prior to receiving your I-20, did you come in as a visitor or as a prospective student?

2. Did you change your status here in the US or did you exit and applied for your F-1 in your home country?

Thanks

WayneTautz

hi waynetautz! i answered your pm. i think our situation is very much alike...

i'm answering your q's here though it is not to say that my experience will prove applying to shift from b1 to f1 in the us is guaranteed ok:

1. i didn't declare any intention at the port of entry. my decision came to change status came later.

2. i changed status here in the us.

God bless to everyone...

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by nrswnabee

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happy new year everyone!!!

thanks, suzanne4 for your reply.

i know i'm a bit of an eager beaver asking about opt when i haven't even started with my nursing courses. =) but then i'm the kind who likes to map out plans ahead....

i'm curious about the "changes coming into the program" you mentioned. is it the opt program you refer to? will the "change" be in favor or against f1 nursing students in particular???

about exams, i hope your stickies on int'l nursing/ quickest way... would still be around by the time i finish my adn otherwise i promise i won't hesitate to shoot you "broken-record" like questions.. you wouldn't tire answering them, would you??

your posts are goldmine! thanks again.

I have heard thru the grapevine that there are some changes being considered, I have no idea at this time what they may be. I would concentrate on getting thru the program, rather than even thinking about he OPT at this point. Changes are always being made to things, nothing stays stagnant in the US.

Worry about school first, that is just the first step, and you need that before going on to Step 2.

[mps]

A big hello and happy New Year!

I have a question to Suzanne / all

I just graduated from a BSN program and just applied to NJ sate board for testing (we have to do fingerprinting and background checks). Meanwhile I thought I will get my visa screen stuff done but it won’t let me complete the online application without entering license information / certification; which I don’t have. The customer support informed me that they need state license to verify and process visa screen under ‘streamlined processed’ in addition to school transcript. Now it seems that it is going to take couple of months to complete. Is this true? Any thought on this process?

Thanks/ Mano

[suzanne4]

Visa Screen normally can take about four months to process. There is nothing that can be done with it as far as processing until you have actualy passed NCLEX and have been issued a license, especially since you are already in the US.

You can receive the VSC in as early as one month after they receive th eproof that you passed the NCLEX exam, but without that, there is nothing that they can do. But if you have an OPT, then it should not be an issue.

Did you graduate from school in the US? If so, you should have applied for the OPT before you graduated, if not you will have to wait. What type of visa are you on? You can still be petitioned for the green card with an Adjustment of Status filed on your behalf as soon as you pass the NCLEX exam. You do not need the VSC in hand to do that.

[mps]

Thanks a lot Suzanne!
I was under the impression that they need only school transcript for US educated nurses, to start processing the visa screen. I have applied for OPT before my graduation and it is under processing (about 45 days). Now that I have cleared the exit exam, I am waiting for school to inform the state board for testing.
Would you recommend sending a postal visa screen application + $325 fees , and asking school to send transcript, so that they can start the process subject to pending license info.?

The nursing recruiter at local hospital told me that they can’t start the filing process without the visa screen certificate. But you have mentioned that the employer can petition me for the green card with an Adjustment of Status filed on my behalf before the visa screen. At what stage do they need Visa screen certificate? thanks/Mano

[suzanne4]

They need transcripts as well as proof that you have passed NCLEX before you will be granted a Visa Screen Certificate. The requirement for the VSC is either to pass CGFNS, which you do not need to take, or the NCLEX exam. Have you actually applied yet for the VSC?

Sorry, but the hospital has incorrect information, only a passing score on NCLEX is actually required to submit the AOS on your behalf. The VSC would be needed bofore the actual issue of the green card, but you can get the EAD without it. And since you are not required to ahve the English exams, then there is only the NCLEX that you need.