Cost of Greencard (EB3)?

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Hello Nurses!

I am an RN from Australia. Am planning on moving over to the US either on a work visa or a greencard. Have recently been suggested by a recruitment company to go with the greencard option, but it would cost about $7000 for all the visa paperwork. It sounds pretty ridiculous to me!

Have also heard some stories from other international nurses that they have found US hospitals willing to sponsor them and the hospitals took care of all the fees involved.

How much does a greencard (EB3) normally cost? Please share your stories and experience!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You will probably find it easier and quicker to go on E3 and then look for employer willing to sponsor. EB3 as is all EB categories employer based so need a employer to start the process and looking for a hospital willing to wait 4 plus years may be difficult. Coming over on E3 and then going through EB3 process means at least you are working

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I absolutely agree with Silverdragon102. Forget about agencies, find a job on E3 visa, and your employer is likely to sponsor you for a Green Card. Some hospitals will pay all the fees, some will ask you to pay. Basically, they have to file form I-140 first. This way you establish your priority date. When I-140 get approved, you probably will have to wait for 4-5 years (working for the same employer) until your priority date gets current (google "Visa Bulletin). Once you are current, you have to file I-485. No need to hire a lawyer for that one. Just read the instructions carefully and provide the documents required.

Basically, you can find the filing cost on USCIS website. They charge for i-140 and i-485. Lawyer fees for I-140 are probably around 2K. By the law, your employer has to pay that one. I would recommend not to hire a lawyer for i-485, it's straightforward and there is no need to spend extra 2K. If you have a spouse or dependent children, they have to file I-485 too.

P.S. The cost of PR visa to Australia is not any less ridiculous. I spent about 4.5K for the visa alone. Plus licensing fees (AHPRA fees, license verification fees), plus ANMAC fees, plus IELTS fees, plus notary fees, plus fingerprints.

Could you share what kind of nursing experience do you have, and why do you want to move to the US from Australia?

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Thanks so much for sharing your advice guys!! Originally I was only looking at applying for the E3 as well, but this company told me that it is impossible to find any nursing jobs nowadays that are bachelor-level required and so they suggested that I should apply for the GC first and THEN look into possibilities with E3 while waiting. It sounds like I have nothing to lose (except the ridiculous $$$$ they want)? I know that the GC comes with a lot of benefits but it would be amazing if I can go on an E3 and beging working in the US already.

I've been hearing stories about nurses having difficulties entering the US with E3/ H1B visas because they're not actually eligible for general staff nurses (please correct me if I am wrong!). I worked in the OR for 3 years when I was in Australia, from my understanding it is considered a specialized area. But am not sure if I would need to sit for the CNOR exam and get a certificate to prove at the consulate interview; or simply that the US nursing job that I'll be working at needs to be in the specialized area?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

We have a couple of E3 nurses posting here that are in the US working

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candabeth, I think the agency people gave you a really bad advice. First of all, you can't just apply for a green card. You need a sponsoring employer willing to wait for you for at least 5 years. Second, E3 is a non-immigrant visa, and I think it will be problematic to obtain it if you show your immigration intend.
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