Curious questions..............???? (for those wishing to work in US)

Hi Suzanne,
I think the issue uppermost in people's minds is the timeframe involved. It seems most of the UK nurses on here are waiting anything up to 3 years from start to finish so I think any suggestions/advice on this subject is always welcome.
Myself, I have always expected that it will take at least a year from the time the petition is filed, yet I am being told by my contacts at the hospital in the US that the turnaround is not this long. A thought has occurred to me - are some RN's getting thru the process in a much shorter time and we are not hearing about them? Maybe those who are having a smooth transition don't post on these forums because they are not enduring the same problems we have? Can this be possible do you think? I'm having a hard time accepting that it can be done any faster, yet this is what I keep hearing.
Tina

Can we please have some more info about AOS? I have read about a lot of nurses going this route. If the nurses are already in the US and using AOS, are they in the country legally? How so, if they don't have a green card?

USCIS will process AOS application only if AOS applicant is legally entered in to the US on some other Visa and kept legal status. Most common are dependant visa / Visitor visa. Visitor visa is not recommended because while applying for Visitor visa one has to declare (s)he does not have an immigration intent.

Dependant Visa : These are the legal visas issued by the USCIS for the spouse/children < 21 of a legal 'Temporary work visa' holder. Typically, people having these visas are not allowed to work but they can study or sit idle at home taking care of family (there are exceptions too). Most common dependant visas are H4/L2 visa which are the dependant visas for H1 and L1 respectively.


While applying for AOS, application packet must include documents that would convince USCIS that (s)he was legally entered and also kept legal status in the US till then. If not, a NOID / RFE will be issued and things would go real messy.

Why AOS seems so smooth is because, immediately (say, 6 weeks) after filing your application (I 140/AOS) USCIS will issue an authorization to work (EAD) that would make the applicant eligible to get a SSN and legally work in the US. Also, it is important to note that Visa Screen certificate is NOT required while applying for AOS (required only later stage). Meaning, the only thing it requires to apply for AOS is just the NCLEX RN / CGFNS exam pass. Since EADs are issued soon after filing AOS, it appears that things are smooth. Also, once started working, getting the actual green card may not be that important for many and some may remember about it only when the actual green card appears on the postal mail box one fine evening. (That could be the reason there are very few AOS nurses posting here compared to CP)

Also, folks who are doing AOS, generally wont take CGFNS exam but they take NCLEX directly. Since CGFNS is a major bottleneck during the immigration process, AOS nurses prefer to avoid them wherever possible, though they are not completely avoidable for any nurse.

hope these inputs help (from my wifey's pov):

1. coming in with a 10-year experience in home country (phils.). basically with surgery and burns.

2. current processing is through an agency. agency seems to work fine, as long as you are aligned with a good agency. (ie with a reputable law firm in the US, financial assistance, etc.)

3. in this order: LOCATION (being relocated in a place where family members are a stone's throw away. starting in a new place is easier this way, starting out in a place conducive for inter-cultural dynamics. crime rate. ). SALARY (making all the trouble worth while). TYPE OF MEDICAL FACILITY (how the nurse's current skill can be put into good use, and be further developed).

4. my wife finds her starting salary a tad short of her expectations, albeit respectable at best. otherwise, other considerations augment the deficit (tax free).

5. northern cali

Hi Suzanne,

I am not a new grad but I am sure I'll feel like one when I get to your country

1) I have over 16 years experience
2) I am coming through an agency, and there have been no hickups to date, all has gone very smoothly. You know my main gripe which is not knowing where I am going, but am ok wth that atm.
3)Salary-I will be on less than in UK. I would like to have holidays=to UK
I would like to work in big teaching hospital less gossipy
4) Contract appears rigid but fair
5) Anywhere initially, just wanna start work and settling in

Hope this helps

Hello Suzane!
my friend is going to sign on contract in NJ hospital via the agency. they offer him 29$/h, money for 2 month renting appartment and oneway fly ticket.
Is it a good offer for beginning?
Thank you!