Green Card Sponsorship for H1b RN

Published

Hi! I am aware that there are already several posts on this subject. But sifting through them hasn't yielded any answers to my question although I admit I haven't read every single post, that would take hours. So, any help, gratefully received. I am a registered nurse from the UK currently working in the USA with a H1b visa. What is the procedure for applying for a green card? I have asked a couple of people at work but unsurprisingly I receive conflicting information. Immigration lawyer websites are somewhat confusing too. I haven't asked my boss yet, I was hoping to enter the discussion pre-armed with some information. I am trying to be pro-active. Can I start the process myself, or does it have to be my employer? How lengthy/complicated is the process? What are the requirements? The process for obtaining a H1b visa was hugely stressful, I imagine the GC process will be stressful too? Will my spouse (here on a H4 visa) be able to work once I get a GC? PLease help. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It has to be your employer that starts the process. Your spouse needs to be included in your application which means when you get one so do they.

I strongly suggest speaking to a immigration lawyer experienced in this area. The employer will use their own lawyer but they will be working foe employer not you. Better to get someone on your side. Current processing times for GC if born in the UK is just over 3 years once you get a PD

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why does it take 3 years to process? That seems like an incredibly long wait. Is this for all GC applications or does it depend on individual cases? Is there any way I can speed things up? The hospital I work at - the legal department - dealt with my H1b visa, it took a couple of months to be approved; aren't they the ones to deal with the GC application too? Obviously I will need to ask them these questions but I thought perhaps you would also know. Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Why does it take 3 years to process? That seems like an incredibly long wait. Is this for all GC applications or does it depend on individual cases? Is there any way I can speed things up? The hospital I work at - the legal department - dealt with my H1b visa, it took a couple of months to be approved; aren't they the ones to deal with the GC application too? Obviously I will need to ask them these questions but I thought perhaps you would also know. Thank you.

It is called retrogression and has been ongoing since 2006. Basically demand for work based immigrant visas outweigh actual allocation of visas. If you look up US visa bulletin you can see the priority dates for the various categories. Nurses mainly come under EB3 unless highly specialised and meet either EB1 or 2 requirements. So currently if born in the UK your status comes under anywhere in the world not stated ( Philippine, India, China, Mexico) and processing dates are for applications approved April 2011. No way the application can be speeded up, once in the queue you just have to wait for PD to become current. Be thankful you didn't have a PD back in 2006 as the wait at that time was over 7 years for most and even longer if born in India

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Clearly you are tired of being asked the same tedious questions over and over! Your job must be frustrating. I get that from the unnecessary quote unquote of my post. I know what I said, I don't need it to be paraphrased back to me in inverted commas. I know very well what the retrogression is, thanks. But when I was going through the process of obtaining a h1b I received a lot of negative advice such as, don't even bother trying, no-one is sponsoring foreign nurses right now, why should American employers give a job to a foreigner, there's this thing called a retrogression you know, wise up, etc etc. But I am here, due to my

determination and hard work and persistence. If I had listened to every nay sayer I would never have gotten anywhere. Thank you for responding though. I will look into the matter further.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

How rude. If you do not like or believe the advice given here, perhaps you should find another source.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

you have only three posts here under your current name, double accounts is against the TOS. Back to your original question,Silver Dragon gave you the information which is current.You seem to know about the system more than most, if you know a loop hole use it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Welcome to another snippy chat forum! There are a lot of them about these days. *sigh* Thank you for responding as I said I will look into it further. If you have a double account (?) ginger mom, I think you are violating the rules when you signed up. That is what I understood. Thanks. I've taken a bit more time to read some of the posts on here, boy is it a mindfield! Some very helpful info and some ****** cat fighting too. Jeepers! Lol :sarcastic:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I am sorry you didn't like what I posted but it isn't going to change the fact that you need to get your employer on board for GC and then wait for your PD to become current. Even though your employer has lawyer that got you H1b and you can use them to get GC if the employer agrees that route I still recommend talking to a lawyer experienced in nurses obtaining GC and know where you stand as that lawyer is working for you and not your employer

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just listen to the news in the USA, right now there is a flood of illegal immigrants entering the USA daily, that seems to be the focus of Customs and Boarder Patrol. Un fortunately people like yourself are caught in the cross firer. Immigration in the US is complicated, while most US citizens would welcome qualified and educated immigrates, the administration is allowing undocumented workers.So in answer to your question there is no legal way to speed up the process, but as others suggest a immigration lawyer is your best bet for accurate information,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion