Considering moving to FL in spite of the retrogression

[summerbummer21]

Hi all!

I'm on F1 visa and I got my ADN here in Philly, but seeing as how it's very difficult to get employment here, even as an RN, I'm now looking at several options, like probably moving to Florida once I pass my boards.

I have a friend who moved there as soon as we graduated. He's also an int'l student like me; got the hospital to sponsor him and pay for his living expenses, attorney's fees, travel expenses, and practically everything he needed as soon as he got to Florida. Also, right now, his hospital is going to pay for his lawyer's fees, and trying to do everything they can just so they can secure his employment and stay in the US. I know there are no visas available right now, and seeing as this issue will not be resolved soon, I'm quite in a very sticky situation myself.

I was just wondering, does anyone know of any hospitals in Florida that offer visa sponsorship for int'l students? And if they do, do they also offer the same benefits like what they did to my friend? I know there's no guarantee of staying here in the US, but at least the benefits (and the fact that it's probably going to be much easier to get a job there), I'm now really considering moving. So please, if anyone can provide me with any sort of insight about my situation, I would be forever grateful. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

[suzanne4, RN]

There are no visas available and only if your friend was able to get their petitions submitted this past July/August will they be able to remain in the US.

Getting a facility to offer a job does not permit one to remain in the US if the I-485 cannot be submitted and at this time it cannot be.

And I can promise that if your friend did not get submitted during that time, no facility is going to pay for someone's keep if they are not going to be working there soon.

You are welcome to move to Florida, but it will not get you working, as immigration is federal and there just are not any visas available. Be aware that you will also have issued flying if your student visa has expired as the TSAs now are doing checks for that at the airport.