finding an employer in the US to sponsor...

[purplecotton]

Hi. I know i need to get my immigrant visa petition approved by USCIS to have a visa number available to me => priority date and getting myself on the "green card list". So, getting an employer from the US to sponsor me now would be highly advisable. I am planning to go to the US to find an employer to petition for me because it is difficult to get them to reach me here with this retrogression going on. Communicating and coordinating takes a long time and time is valuable. This, to me, seems to be the way to get the ball rolling and by doing so, i get to meet the employers personally. I will return to the Philippines to resume work while waiting out the retrogression. Do you think this is a good idea? I'm considering this option because my sister will going to the states for other reasons so i might keep her company for a short while. I also have all the requirements (NCLEX passer, VSC, etc.)..just need to find the elusive employer to get the paperwork and process started! Thanks..

[nxt777]

do u have a us visa or you'll apply for one?

[suzanne4, RN]

If you do not already have a US tourist visa, it will be very hard for you to get one. You are not going to find it any easier to find an employer with the retrogression still in place. Many have even cancelled contracts that they had as they need the nurses sooner.

[purplecotton]

Yes, i do have a tourist visa (which will expire in 2009, thank God). It's not working out by looking from here so just maybe it would be better to use this as an opportunity to go there personally to look for an employer. What have i got to lose? A good working environment is very important to me so i am willing to make a few sacrifices. So, what are my chances? Thanks..

I mean just waiting here won't help a bit and if i don't get a visa number, priority date assigned i won't get anywhere..even if the retrogression is lifted.

[suzanne4, RN]

The bigger question to you would be where are you actually looking to work? Which state? Do you have any experience?

[purplecotton]

Hi. Oh, yes..I plan to look for work in Northern Los Angeles, California. That is where a friend is staying..Thousand Oaks to be specific (but he is not involved with nursing in any way so he can only help me as much as adjusting to life there). CA is where i applied. I know someone who would help me if i were to go to New York but i don't think i'm up to going through the process of endorsement. As a foreigner, just getting to the States to work legally at this time is a big effort (but i am hopeful the future will get better). Experience-wise, i have worked for a few months in med/surg. (got my IV therapy cert. and basic life support training) after passing the local nursing board exams then had to stop to take care of my mom but learned a lot about oncology nursing (which i now find interesting). Then, after her death i took the nclex. Now i am where i am. Thanks..

[suzanne4, RN]

Hi. Oh, yes..I plan to look for work in Northern Los Angeles, California. That is where a friend is staying..Thousand Oaks to be specific (but he is not involved with nursing in any way so he can only help me as much as adjusting to life there). CA is where i applied. I know someone who would help me if i were to go to New York but i don't think i'm up to going through the process of endorsement. As a foreigner, just getting to the States to work legally at this time is a big effort (but i am hopeful the future will get better). Experience-wise, i have worked for a few months in med/surg. (got my IV therapy cert. and basic life support training) after passing the local nursing board exams then had to stop to take care of my mom but learned a lot about oncology nursing (which i now find interesting). Then, after her death i took the nclex. Now i am where i am. Thanks..

There is not one hospital in NY that is petitioning any foreign nurses at this time, and they have not done so for more than two years. The only way that they will take you is with a green card already in hand.

I still suggest that you go thru the process at home, it will not be any easier to find an employer if you fly over at the present time. Until hospitals know for sure what will be happening, most in that area are not interested in doing anything.

And please be aware that just because you do have a tourist visa, it is up to the immigration person that is on at the airport, it is not an automatic entrance to the US anymore.

[purplecotton]

Yes. What i am concerned about is that even if the retrogression lifts this year (who knows), if i don't get a visa number, priority date assigned (and the only way to get that is by having an employer petition for me) i won't be on the list and hence, no visa (and who knows how long before the visas "run out" again). Nothing is happening here. It's almost not even an option to FIND a sponsor.

WHAT other ALTERNATIVES would you suggest? Just wait until the retrogression lifts and THEN find an employer to sponsor me? Problem with that is it would take months, from the time i find an employer to petition for me to the time i get assigned a priority date and if i only find an employer AT the time the retrogression lifts (when employers actively resume sponsoring foreign nurses), when the visas become available once again, months would elapse before i get assigned a priority date and who knows how long before the visas become unavailable again. Thanks, really..

[suzanne4, RN]

You can contact facilities while you are in the Philippines, many have done that. Coming to the US at this time will definitely not guarantee that you find a position. You will be much further ahead by doing things from there.

[purplecotton]

Thank you..