EB-2 visa

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i am a nurse from the philippines, i had graduated from a master's degree from a university here. i'd like to ask if my employer could petition me for an EB-2 visa. i have a pending EB-3 petition as of this date. can anyone give advice regarding this matter? thank you.:typing

Specializes in Hemodialysis.
Hi! I just want to revive issue about EB2 category for foreign nurses specifically Filipino Nurses. Lately my US agency has contacted me enquiring if I am willing to process under Eb2 visa which is current for Philippines unlike Eb3 which is years retrogressed. (I have Eb3 application with this agency with priority date Jan 2010..and can not wait for the long queue..i guess)

The Eb2 offer letter states that it is for Nurses with masteral degree, or nurses with Bachelor's degree plus above 5 years nursing experience (deemed equivalent of a master's degree) of which this is the category where I belonged. They didn't mention the area of speciality..I guess they are not after of this as it's not mention though....I am a Neonatal Nurse (NICU-stepdown).

There are expenses to incur...but I won't mind if they think I'm qualified for this. But I'm becoming fussy...because I dont want to shell out the initial payment and then being denied.

Does anyone of you out there who has gone through same situation of mine? I'm really confused whether to grab this one or not. Though I want to gamble and try my luck....

@NNAYBUR:

as far as i know they say EB@ visas are only for nurses who took their masters degree in the USA.. am not quite sure, but seek legal advice of an immigration attorney or a visa consultant for this matter :):)

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Specializes in Neonatal/Pediatrics.

Hi! Thanks for the advice...I am currently looking for an immigration attorney for this matter but don't know of anybody. Well, the offer letter states RN (bacalaureatte) plus 5 years nursing experience...or, RN with masteral degree. I've been doing a lot of research and if you check the USCIS website for Eb2..it states Bachelor of 4 years + 5 years of progressive work experience. They didn't actually mention the area of nursing..just RN though i guess the more specialized your area is the more you will be qualified for Eb2.

I also have another question...since I have an approved Eb3 with PD Jan2010...will this be affected incase I will try my luck for Eb2?

Thanks for all those who post replies...I am truly grateful!!!Thanks again..

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@nnaybur: be careful with those recruiting agencies. the EB2 category is very tricky. It prefers a master's degree that was attained in the US. Online degrees even if you were physically in the US are not recognized. Another criteria for the EB2 category is that 5 year work experience for a BSN graduate. You must prove that within a span of 5 years, you were promoted consistently and you have the necessary skills and certification to back it up.

My guess is those people wanted your money and once you're here in the US, you won't hear from them again. Be very careful.

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Specializes in Neonatal/Pediatrics.

@orangepink...thanks for taking the time to answer this thread though it has been quite sometime I posted those uncertainties.

FYI..I didn't push through applying for this Eb2 program because of few reasons...firstly, my AOR from Canadian PR application arrived quite in time that I didn't think anymore about this eb2. Since, if I'll have to spend a lot without certainty then I might as well spend for the one that gives a sure blow. Secondly, I am not sure if my qualifications meets the standard for eb2 category...though, the agency didn't assure me of any answer, just that I'll try submit my papers and see what will gonna happen next. Thirdly, a lot to spend..something I wasn't prepared to.

Meanwhile, I am in my 2nd stage of application for Canada PR. I received a positive assessment from CIO. I'll just give it a try in Canada...maybe this is better than sitting down and waiting for my PD to become current of which quite impossible to happen for the next five years. Thanks again...Godbless!!

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@nnaybur: good for you! hope things work out in canada :-)

to the rest/others: i understand that you might want to get a master's degree to qualify for the eb2 category. my advice is to be careful. it might backfire on you. you still need a job offer that is worthy of such a degree. you cannot be a regular staff nurse on the floor with a master's degree. your petition will be denied immediately.

even if the position is a charge nurse in an assisted living facility, be advised that the minimum requirement for that job is a bsn so again, your eb2 petition will be denied.

if you are hoping that a combination of a 5 yr work experience with your bsn will make you qualify, be advised that it has to be progressive-continuous. that means in a span of 5 years you were promoted from level 1 to level 5 (this is just a sample level position).

i sincerely understand the appeal of the american dream but please do take your work as a rn seriously. you can not take shortcuts without repercussions.

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the EB2 category is very tricky. It prefers a master's degree that was attained in the US. Online degrees even if you were physically in the US are not recognized.

Lets say one graduates from a CCNE accredited Nursing program in a USDOE accredited school, the school has an actual campus offering other 100% on campus undergrad and graduate degrees, basically it's a real school.. BUT the person graduated from a totally ONLINE Nurse Practitioner program. Would the individual qualify under EB2 category??

Thanks :)

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Lets say one graduates from a CCNE accredited Nursing program in a USDOE accredited school, the school has an actual campus offering other 100% on campus undergrad and graduate degrees, basically it's a real school.. BUT the person graduated from a totally ONLINE Nurse Practitioner program. Would the individual qualify under EB2 category??

Thanks :)

If you are eligible to sit for national and state certification as a Nurse Practitioner, then you should have no problems even though the program is online the caveat being there is no such thing as a totally online program for Nurse Practitioners. Though didactic portions can be completed entirely online, clinical rotations have to be done in approved clinical settings with a preceptor and actual patient encounters. Also, just with any employment based visa, the process starts with a job offer as a Nurse Practitioner. Having the degree and the certification alone does not lead to an EB2 visa.

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If you are eligible to sit for national and state certification as a Nurse Practitioner, then you should have no problems even though the program is online the caveat being there is no such thing as a totally online program for Nurse Practitioners. Though didactic portions can be completed entirely online, clinical rotations have to be done in approved clinical settings with a preceptor and actual patient encounters. Also, just with any employment based visa, the process starts with a job offer as a Nurse Practitioner. Having the degree and the certification alone does not lead to an EB2 visa.

ahah, i forgot about the preceptorship, so it cannot be totally online. And yes I understand it starts with a job offer :) thank you for the reply.

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Also, just with any employment based visa, the process starts with a job offer as a Nurse Practitioner. Having the degree and the certification alone does not lead to an EB2 visa.

Let's say there's an EB2 job offer right after finishing the NP program (while holding an F1 student visa), what happens to the individual's status while waiting for the LONG process of EB2? What is the way to stay in legal status while waiting for the EB2? Do the OPT? Do H1B first? or...??

thanks.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Let's say there's an EB2 job offer right after finishing the NP program (while holding an F1 student visa), what happens to the individual's status while waiting for the LONG process of EB2? What is the way to stay in legal status while waiting for the EB2? Do the OPT? Do H1B first? or...??

thanks.

Where was you born? If not from China or India then EB2 is current and you can adjust your status. You can if you meet requirements uterlse OPT whilst going through the EB2 process which should take less than 12 months as long as you meet requirements and not from a country affected by retrogression in the EB2 category

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the person graduated from a totally online nurse practitioner program. would the individual qualify under eb2 category??

online programs regardless if it's on a master's degree level even if it's a phd will never be recognized by immigration. that means --- upon inspection, your eb2 petition will be denied.

i repeat, it will never be recognized.

also, admittance to on-campus programs for master's degree level in nursing require prior work experience of at least one year in a us hospital.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
online programs regardless if it's on a master's degree level even if it's a phd will never be recognized by immigration. that means --- upon inspection, your eb2 petition will be denied.

i repeat, it will never be recognized.

also, admittance to on-campus programs for master's degree level in nursing require prior work experience of at least one year in a us hospital.

do you have a source for this?

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