E3 visa for Australian nurse

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 11, 2008

For you to qualify for E3 you need a pass in NCLEX, VSC and job offer as well as being a Australian citizen and then I believe the process isn't too bad but can be looking at 6-12 months I think for processing

suzanne4, RN · Sep 11, 2008

You need to have the above completed as well as an employer that is willing to sponsor you for this type of visa. Much has already been written on this topic; the easiest for you is just to do a search here and you will get all of the information that you need.

Best of luck to you.

zonnenschijn · Sep 11, 2008

For you to qualify for E3 you need a pass in NCLEX, VSC and job offer as well as being a Australian citizen and then I believe the process isn't too bad but can be looking at 6-12 months I think for processing

Thanks for reply. I am in the process of studying for NCLEX and awaiting response from board of nursing, and yes I am an Australian citizen. Are there many hospitals I wonder that are willing to sponsor through the E3 visa? From what I have read on this topic from previous posts it is possible. Am looking into getting an immigration lawyer to help with the visa process. Hoping to hear from somebody who is working in the US on an E3 visa and their experience, especially the process of actually finding a job. Would like to do it indep. rather than through an agency. I want to only work in Madison WI or very close by so most agencies not able to help unless i am more flexible. :nurse:

allnurses Guide · Sep 11, 2008

I am working on an E3 at a US hospital. I have a niche specialty position though. I don't know that you could work as a general nurse, as the position must REQUIRE a bachelor degree as minimum entry (which is not required for most RNs here).

What is your experience?

I can't help on the employer - I found mine through friends. Unless you want to come work at my hospital in Pittsburgh! I get a bonus for referring a nurse haha. You do not need an immigration lawyer, really.

All the hospital lawyer needs to do is fill out online LCA, and get an offer letter from HR department. You do the rest - make appointment, pay the $130-ish and get the visa. That's really it.

Just as an FYI - at no stage has anyone ever asked for my visa screen certificate. Not asked about it, to see it, etc. Not employer, or USCIS or anyone. I also got degree equivalency report I never needed to show anyone.

zonnenschijn · Sep 11, 2008

I am working on an E3 at a US hospital. I have a niche specialty position though. I don't know that you could work as a general nurse, as the position must REQUIRE a bachelor degree as minimum entry (which is not required for most RNs here).
What is your experience?
I can't help on the employer - I found mine through friends. Unless you want to come work at my hospital in Pittsburgh! I get a bonus for referring a nurse haha. You do not need an immigration lawyer, really.
All the hospital lawyer needs to do is fill out online LCA, and get an offer letter from HR department. You do the rest - make appointment, pay the $130-ish and get the visa. That's really it.
Just as an FYI - at no stage has anyone ever asked for my visa screen certificate. Not asked about it, to see it, etc. Not employer, or USCIS or anyone. I also got degree equivalency report I never needed to show anyone.

Thanks for great info! I was afraid that the E3 visa entailed a speciality. I have worked mainly in orthorpaedics and neuroscience/rehab... Finding a position that requires a bachelor degree will be the tricky part! Gosh, not easy to go work in the States!!!! :eek:

allnurses Guide · Sep 12, 2008

Yes, the E3 is called a "specialty occupation visa". The guy at the point of entry at the US actually said "what is your degree?". I said "Bachelor of Nursing" and he said "Nursing? You have the wrong visa!". I explained my job a little more, and he said "Oh, you're not just a nurse, you're a SPECIAL nurse".

Hah! The visa interview at the embassy was easier - they just asked how my degree related to the position, and how I found the job. If you have a fair bit of experience, your employer could write your offer letter/position description such that it says a BSN is required, as mine did. In addition, my job description was written specifically for me, so it listed required experience which very few people would have.

You might want to check out if there are any hospitals in your target area that require a BSN for their nurses. That would meet the criteria for the visa.

When do you want to go, and how long do you want to stay?

zonnenschijn · Sep 12, 2008

Yes, the E3 is called a "specialty occupation visa". The guy at the point of entry at the US actually said "what is your degree?". I said "Bachelor of Nursing" and he said "Nursing? You have the wrong visa!". I explained my job a little more, and he said "Oh, you're not just a nurse, you're a SPECIAL nurse".
Hah! The visa interview at the embassy was easier - they just asked how my degree related to the position, and how I found the job. If you have a fair bit of experience, your employer could write your offer letter/position description such that it says a BSN is required, as mine did. In addition, my job description was written specifically for me, so it listed required experience which very few people would have.
You might want to check out if there are any hospitals in your target area that require a BSN for their nurses. That would meet the criteria for the visa.
When do you want to go, and how long do you want to stay?

I want to go ASAP and i want to stay for 2-3 years. My partner is studying in Madison and i want to join him as soon as i can. Will go on the hunt for positions requiring a BSN. Thanks for all your advise. What speciality do you work in?

susieok · Sep 15, 2008

that's interesting that you never had to show your VSC... figured they'd be wanting to see that first up as it is always stated over and over again that you cannot nurse without it!

I rec'd my VSC about a month ago so have now got all my paperwork completed which is a feat in itself. All that is left is the job application and E3 visa process. Regarding the E3..."specialty" part... if i asked my employer to state they want a BSN and they offered me the job... what else do i have to look out for? how did you get thru the questioning at the airport?? say for instance that my specialty area is Onc/Haem and that is where i'm going to work, is that enough? i understand you have an area that was more specific to whatever you're doing at present, however, is it enough for me to say that i'm an oncology nurse???

thx

allnurses Guide · Sep 16, 2008

They looked at my specialty (mechanical cardiac devices) and my experience and education (nursing and engineering) to see how they related when I got the visa, and then at point of entry. You just need to have the education and experience to back up the specialty position.

The employer can't just say they "want" a BSN - it has to be required by the position itself.

susieok · Sep 16, 2008

Uh huh... i see. thanks.

zonnenschijn · Sep 16, 2008

They looked at my specialty (mechanical cardiac devices) and my experience and education (nursing and engineering) to see how they related when I got the visa, and then at point of entry. You just need to have the education and experience to back up the specialty position.
The employer can't just say they "want" a BSN - it has to be required by the position itself.

Hmmmmm.. i am still a little confused, sorry! You seem to be super specialised. So acquiring a job in the US that states the position requires a BSN is not good enough? My speciality here is neuroscience but i do not have a cert. in neuroscience, just my work experience/history. If for example i got a position at a certain hospital in the neuroscience dept. this would not make me eligible for the E3 visa? :nurse: