Aussie RN going to work in US under E-3 visa

allnurses Guide · Aug 21, 2009

You do not have to apply in those states - where did you get that from? I applied to Vermont and then endorsed over to Pennsylvania where my job was. Never worked in VT and have now let that license lapse. You want to apply for a state (ideally) that does NOT require CGFNS exam/certification. There are only I think 5 that do (unfortunately PA is one, that's why I went via VT).

You can't apply for NCLEX or sit it directly. You apply for licensure to a state, and then they give you eligibility to sit the exam as part of your application for a license if you meet the educational requirements. Initially, you need to get your transcripts assessed by either the state nursing board or the CES assessment from CGFNS.

You DO need a Visa Screen Certificate from CGFNS organization.

You can't get your own E3 - you seem to be missing the step about finding a petitioner/employer. They have to apply for the LCA, advertise the job etc, and then you pay the visa fee and apply for the visa appointment.

The E3 also requires that your job requires a bachelor degree. Many staff RN positions in the US do not, so you need to make sure that yours does (eg. a job at a Magnet hospital that only employs BSN's; or a specialty position like critical care).

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I know of very few RNs (I think I might be the only one on here) who are in the US on E3's.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 21, 2009

Moved to the International forum as per the red banner.

As mentioned there are only a handful of states that now require CGFNS exam. Most require CES which is a evaluation of your transcripts. Ghillbert is a good one to guide you on what you need to know so be sure to ask any questions here so others can learn

(Just to point out to anyone who doesn't know E3 is only for Australian citizens who meet the treaty requirements to work in the US. Do not confuse it with EB3)

noypioz · Aug 21, 2009

Salamat pare! To answer your 1st question--- see below from CGFNS website

Note: Applicants who are from a Section 212® designated country*; have passed the National Council Licensure

Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®); hold a current, valid and unrestricted license from one of the five designated Section 212® states--Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, and New York; and have graduated from a nursing program in which the language of instruction and textbooks were in English should apply for the CGFNS 212® Certified Statement, which meets United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements for immigration, in lieu of a VisaScreen® Certificate.

*Section 212® designated countries: Australia, Barbados, Canada (including the five CGFNS designated English-Language Schools from Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and the United Kingdom

My GF will be graduating from Australian Catholic Uni which makes her eligible to apply for CGFNS Statement in lieu of the VisaScreen Cert. Perhaps you obtained your BSN degree from a non-designated Section 212 ® country that is why you have to apply for the VisaScreen Certificate.

We want to settle in N.Y. which makes this Sec 212® option more appropriate for us.

And yes, I am aware of obtaining an employer before applying for an E-3 visa, as well as other requirements for the petitioner/employer i.e. applying for LCA, etc. I have held an H-1B visa in 2005 in another specialty occupation (I'm not a Nurse).

So to summarise your points:

1. We need to apply directly to the State i.e. NY who will then advise us how to sit the NCLEX exams, etc..

2. Sit and pass NCLEX (We won't be needing a CES because the educational qualification was obtained in a Sec 212 ® designated country)

3. Apply to a hospital whose selection criteria for employment of Nurses includes holding a B degree.

4. If accepted, hospital to apply for LCA, visa applicant applies for E-3 in Oz.

Further questions if you don't mind--

1. Did you obtain your Nursing degree (not Bridging program) in Australia? If yes, how did you go about this?

2. If not would you know of anyone there who did..and applied using the CGFNS 212® Certified Statement option?

3. Under E-3, the spouse of the E-3 holder upon arrival can apply for employment authorisation to work even in a non-specialty occupation that requires a B degree. But what if the spouse is a Medical Laboratory Technologist and wishes to pratice..would the spouse need to satisfy USCIS Immigration requirements (ie. VisaScreen Cert or Sect 212 ® option)?

Many thanks Ghilbert for your time in answering my queries.

allnurses Guide · Aug 21, 2009

Perhaps you obtained your BSN degree from a non-designated Section 212 ® country that is why you have to apply for the VisaScreen Certificate.

I did not. I did not apply to one of those states, so can't help with that.

And yes, I am aware of obtaining an employer before applying for an E-3 visa, as well as other requirements for the petitioner/employer i.e. applying for LCA, etc. I have held an H-1B visa in 2005 in another specialty occupation (I'm not a Nurse).

I was just going by your list which didn't mention sponsorship.

So to summarise your points:
1. We need to apply directly to the State i.e. NY who will then advise us how to sit the NCLEX exams, etc..
2. Sit and pass NCLEX (We won't be needing a CES because the educational qualification was obtained in a Sec 212 ® designated country)
3. Apply to a hospital whose selection criteria for employment of Nurses includes holding a B degree.
4. If accepted, hospital to apply for LCA, visa applicant applies for E-3 in Oz.

I don't know where you're getting your information from. Being from one of those countries does NOT preclude requiring the CES, depending on the state nursing board requirements. At most, it avoids the VSC according to the info you posted.

NY state actually requires the CVS credential assessment service rather than CES. You do not need to ask them about the process, it's all on the NYS nursing board's website. NY state also requires an infection control course and child abuse course to be done prior to licensure.

If your GF is just graduating from her nursing degree, she may not meet the requirements for the E3. It's hard to argue that you're a specialized professional when you just graduated.

1. Did you obtain your Nursing degree (not Bridging program) in Australia? If yes, how did you go about this?

I am born and bred in Australia. I completed my undergraduate nursing education in Australia. I don't understand your question as to how I went about it - I went to university after completing high school and finished a Bachelor of Nursing degree.....?

2. If not would you know of anyone there who did..and applied using the CGFNS 212® Certified Statement option?

As I said, I don't know of any other RN's in the US on an E3, let alone anyone who used the 212r.

3. Under E-3, the spouse of the E-3 holder upon arrival can apply for employment authorisation to work even in a non-specialty occupation that requires a B degree. But what if the spouse is a Medical Laboratory Technologist and wishes to pratice..would the spouse need to satisfy USCIS Immigration requirements (ie. VisaScreen Cert or Sect 212 ® option)?

I have no idea. I would assume that you would not need to complete immigration requirements but would need to fulfil job requirements in order to satisfy prospective employers in that field. Sounds like a question for an immigration lawyer.

If you don't mind me saying, it is a very difficult time to relocate to the US. There are barely any jobs for new graduate US citizen RNs in a lot of places, let alone foreign new grads. The spirit of the E3 is that specialty professionals exchange knowledge between the US and Australia. How are you thinking she will find a sponsor in this environment?

Perhaps your girlfriend should take a look at this website herself to see the current nursing climate in the US before attempting such a painful process as US nursing license for foreigners. It really is long, expensive and annoying.