E3 Visa for Australian Nurses?

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Hi everyone,

Have been an RN in Australia for 3 years and have passed the NCLEX recently. Have always thought that E3 is the visa that RNs apply for in order to work in the US, but have recently also heard that general staff nurses don't actually qualify for this. I am very confused!

Aussie RNs who are currently on the E3 visa working in America- would love to hear about your experience!

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Specializes in Emergency.

To a certain degree it is right.

What I did was to use an American Nursing Agency who can facilitate your employment and organize your Visas, they know the loopholes.

The only setback is they tie you up with a 2 year contract and if you break its about 40 grand in penalties.

And my impression is fair dinkie Aussies normally do not have difficulty acquiring the Visa compared to migrants who assume Australian citizenship.

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Which agency did you work for?! I am currently job hunting in Colorado, i've applied to hospitals, clinics, aged care, agencies, alternative health, all kinds of facilities and haven't heard any good news yet. Most of them tell me that they want me to have at least one year nursing experience in the US (too many new grads here), and me needing a visa just makes everything harder... I am sooo frustrated!

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I also was under the impression that the E3 visa was assessed on were you were born, not where you managed to get citizenship.

All Australian nurses who qualify and pass the NCLEX are usually on this visa as general nurses.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I also was under the impression that the E3 visa was assessed on were you were born, not where you managed to get citizenship.

All Australian nurses who qualify and pass the NCLEX are usually on this visa as general nurses.

My understanding is as long as a Australian citizen then they meet E3 requirements. For people who don't know E3 is not the same as EB3

From the US embassy website in Canberra

E-3 visas are only available for Australian nationals. If you are a new Australian citizen or are in the process of becoming one, please note that you will need to possess an Australian passport by the time of your visa interview.

Qualifying for the E3 Visa | Embassy of the United States Canberra, Australia

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Specializes in Emergency.
Which agency did you work for?! I am currently job hunting in Colorado, i've applied to hospitals, clinics, aged care, agencies, alternative health, all kinds of facilities and haven't heard any good news yet. Most of them tell me that they want me to have at least one year nursing experience in the US (too many new grads here), and me needing a visa just makes everything harder... I am sooo frustrated!

Try Avant Healthcare, their head office is in Florida. They screen applicants well before linking you to employers. Though I believe it is only a selected States that they cater, am not sure if Colorado is one of them, you may need to transfer your license.

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Hello! Anybody knows if NZ citizen nurses also have a special visa categories? Thanks

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hello! Anybody knows if NZ citizen nurses also have a special visa categories? Thanks

I don't think so

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Specializes in CTICU.

-There is no treaty visa for NZ citizens.

-Any Australian citizen may apply for E3, whether natural-born or naturalized.

-It is pointless to use an agency. Any hospital which would employ you via an agency would employ you directly- you just need to find out which ones they are. Yes, it may mean knocking on a lot of doors. However it costs you only time and annoyance, versus tens of thousands of dollars of your hard earned cash.

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