F1 to GC without OPT

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Hi. Is there anybody who tried the adjustment of status directly from F-1 to Green Card WITHOUT OPT? If so, would you share your experience with me? How long did it take?

As far as I know, I could not find an answer for this question on the internet and in this community. I am an international nursing student in US (will be an RN in two and half years). Here is the question:

For me, OPT is not an option because I used it after I finished college (non-nursing major) long time ago. In the worst scenario, I will apply for GC from my home country after becoming RN.

Thanks. Tim

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There is no issue, you just need to wait until you pass your NCLEX, and get hired for a position. The employer will then file an adjustment in status for you. Or you can find an employer before you graduate, but documents cannot be filed until you have passed your exam here. You will need to wait the 60 to 90 days afterwards before you can begin work. Just make sure that your student visa does not expire during that time.

You will not be given the Green Card in just the few months, but you will be permitted to live and work in the US while the process is being completed.

Hope that this helps.............. :)

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Thanks! Tim

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Thanks! Tim

Hi Tim! I have the same problem as you are. I'm an international student just got B.S in Nursing. I'm applying for OPT. I hope I'll take NCLEX as soon as I can,it means in october. I don't know exactly if my hospital where i'll do OPT will start GC process now or i have to wait untill OPT is over. I can't find this information anywhere.

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Suzy-

As far as I know (and not being a lawyer), nursing students talk to immigration lawyers around the graduation time (or earlier). Although you (your employer) cannot start filing for GC untill passing the exam, October is coming soon! Good luck--you are lucky because you still have OTP left. Tim

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Hi. Is there anybody who tried the adjustment of status directly from F-1 to Green Card WITHOUT OPT? If so, would you share your experience with me? How long did it take?

As far as I know, I could not find an answer for this question on the internet and in this community. I am an international nursing student in US (will be an RN in two and half years). Here is the question:

For me, OPT is not an option because I used it after I finished college (non-nursing major) long time ago. In the worst scenario, I will apply for GC from my home country after becoming RN.

Thanks. Tim

Thanks for sharing, Tim... Huh... I am glad that I am not the only one with F-1 to Green Card route.

I think you won't have a problem.. The only most important thing is to find a sponsor that is willing to sponser you before the experiation of you I-20 or F-1. Without working under OPT initially with hospitals, it might be harder to get a jobs from them. But I think you will be fine. Hospitals now hire so many new grads now. If you can pay for the legal fee by yourself, I could not find any reason why they wouldn't hire you.

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Hi Tim! I have the same problem as you are. I'm an international student just got B.S in Nursing. I'm applying for OPT. I hope I'll take NCLEX as soon as I can,it means in october. I don't know exactly if my hospital where i'll do OPT will start GC process now or i have to wait untill OPT is over. I can't find this information anywhere.

If you have already graduated, it is too late to apply for the OPT. It must be completed while you are still in school.

You need to start the green card process when you begin working under the OPT. The OPT gives you the time to get your immigration "things" in order.

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Hey Suzzane. When you say "find an employer before you graduate" you mean a hospital or can it be a private practice MD or Homehealth? I'll be doing OPT in a hospital right after I graduate in May 2007, but don't know if the hospital will be intimidated about paper work involved in immigration deals. I could pay my fees and those of my husband and kids, would that help the chances of being hired? MD and homehealth have no issues with paperwork, but I don't know if they meet criteria for sponsoring an RN.

Also, my oldest son is 20, He'll turn 21 in june 2007. If I file for GC in May or early June after NCLEX, will he be included in my benefits? He is an F1 now.

And one more thing, after OPT. While waiting pending GC, am I allowed to do a BSN online?

I know it is a lot at once. Thanks. Chepita

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Hi Tim! I have the same problem as you are. I'm an international student just got B.S in Nursing. I'm applying for OPT. I hope I'll take NCLEX as soon as I can,it means in october. I don't know exactly if my hospital where i'll do OPT will start GC process now or i have to wait untill OPT is over. I can't find this information anywhere.

You cannot start green card process now, it requires that you pass the NCLEX exam since youi have to submit proof of it with the petition. You can start the process as soon as you have passed the NCLEX-RN exam, and have an employer. It is not something that you can do on your own.

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Hey Suzzane. When you say "find an employer before you graduate" you mean a hospital or can it be a private practice MD or Homehealth? I'll be doing OPT in a hospital right after I graduate in May 2007, but don't know if the hospital will be intimidated about paper work involved in immigration deals. I could pay my fees and those of my husband and kids, would that help the chances of being hired? MD and homehealth have no issues with paperwork, but I don't know if they meet criteria for sponsoring an RN.

Also, my oldest son is 20, He'll turn 21 in june 2007. If I file for GC in May or early June after NCLEX, will he be included in my benefits? He is an F1 now.

And one more thing, after OPT. While waiting pending GC, am I allowed to do a BSN online?

I know it is a lot at once. Thanks. Chepita

Most Home Health agencies are privately held, as well as MD offices, and most are not willing to open their books to immigration. As well as you really need hospital experience, you should never consider Home Health until you have some practical experience under your belt.

You will actually find it much easier to get petitioned by a hospital. It is very easy for a hospital to do, since they are presenting financials all of the time.............

You can easily attend school on-line during the process.

As far as your son, more than likely he will not be covered, best to speak to an immigration attorney about that. You will only be starting the process then.

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Can I ask a question here to? If on a current F1 visa and passed nclex Once you find an employer and they file the paperwork how long can you expect to wait till you can start work?

Ruth?

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Can I ask a question here to? If on a current F1 visa and passed nclex Once you find an employer and they file the paperwork how long can you expect to wait till you can start work?

Ruth?

Usually about two months, however, there is going to be a retrogression hitting shortly that will be causing some delay. It will not affect you in the long run, but will cause some slow-ups. So there is no timeframe that anyone can truly give you at this moment.

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