Green Card

tricy · Mar 14, 2006

Hi:

any idea on how long to get I-140 approval from CA service center? I have been waited for more than half a year. the processing date is always on June16, 2005. do you think this date will ever move?

thanks a lot!

Permanent residency, better know as the green card, is the only visa that is available to nurses to work in the US.
Even for nurses that are already in the US, and are on a student or tourist visa, the only "working" visa that is available is the green card.
The AOS or Adjustment of Status, is just one step towards the green card if you are already in the US. You receive an EAD, employment authorization document, that will permit you to work during that time, while things are being processed. But it is not a visa, it is only a document that gives you the privilege to work for a limited time.
H-1B visas are not available for nurses in the US, and have not been for over two years. If someone tells you about them, then they know nothing about Registered Nurses working in the US.
You would not want on eif they were available, trust me on that one.
I keep getting pms about this, so hopefully this will clear up some things for you.

shangve · Mar 17, 2006

Permanent residency, better know as the green card, is the only visa that is available to nurses to work in the US.
Even for nurses that are already in the US, and are on a student or tourist visa, the only "working" visa that is available is the green card.
The AOS or Adjustment of Status, is just one step towards the green card if you are already in the US. You receive an EAD, employment authorization document, that will permit you to work during that time, while things are being processed. But it is not a visa, it is only a document that gives you the privilege to work for a limited time.
H-1B visas are not available for nurses in the US, and have not been for over two years. If someone tells you about them, then they know nothing about Registered Nurses working in the US.
You would not want on eif they were available, trust me on that one.
I keep getting pms about this, so hopefully this will clear up some things for you.

Who apply for AOS? me or hospital which want to hire me??? :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh21:

suzanne4, RN · Mar 17, 2006

The hospital must do it, you are applying for a green card under employer sponsorship. You are unable to do it on your own.

gaslinq · Apr 3, 2006

Dear Suzanne,

I don't quite know where to post this since you are in so many forums (I mean that as a compliment to your dedication). Anyway, I have a bit of a problem. I was in the United States in December of 2004 to look for an employer and file for adjustment of status since I had all the requirements ( NCLEX-RN, visa screen). I posted my resume online and was contacted by several prospective employers. The one that I was particularly drawn to was a very nice lady who quickly got me an interview with a hospital in Northern California which immediately gave me a job offer and even facilitated a tour of their hospital. Anyway, retrogression set in on January 2005 so I was advised that the best option would be for me to return home and go through consular processing, which I did. The agency as well as the law office were very efficient and accomodating. The I-140 was approved in June 2005 and I already had a visa number. My papers were sent to the National Visa Center and I was told to await Packet 3. Last month, I was informed that the hospital had a new director of recruitment and that she was no longer honoring job offers tendered by the previous director even though the hospital had already spent for the I-140 processing as well as the lawyers fees. The agency as well as the law office tried to reason with her to push through with the paperwork since we were already so far along in the process, to no avail. What should be my next move. I'm afraid that, since the I-140 is practically invalid considering that the sponsor has backed out, I will have to start from scratch. I feel that it was such a waste of time and effort on everyone's part. If I had stayed in the US and filed for AOS, I would have had my green card by now. I also feel bad that I had turned down SO MANY job offers including one that I really liked because the people in the agency, hospital and law office were so nice and accomodating to me. Now, I feel awkward about approaching these prospective employers again. Is there any way that I can continue the process with a new employer? I am normally very level-headed but right now, I am still reeling from the shock. I would really appreciate any advise from you. You have been so helpful to everyone here.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 4, 2006

Unfortunately, it is employer specific. When you start the process again, it will be from the beginning.

You do not have a visa number, you have a file number. There is a big difference between the two. You have not submitted the DS-230 yet, so you definitely do not have a visa number that has been issued. The number that you have is so that you can follow the progress of your file.

But something else is hitting me wrong. If you had approval last summer, you should have have had Packet 3 long ago, looks like the bill was not paid for the visa. That needs to be paid after the approval, before they will send out the DS-230, etc. You should alreay have been at interview date or past.

gaslinq · Apr 4, 2006

Thanks for the prompt reply. I guess I have to go back to the drawing board and look for another employer.

I should have clarified about the visa number. I know I don't have a visa number yet. I meant that a visa number was available, otherwise, the I-140 would not have been approved. You're right, the hospital probably did not pay the visa bill which is why the Packet 3 never arrived. However, the law office never informed me about this.

gnom · Apr 7, 2006

Unfortunately, it is employer specific. When you start the process again, it will be from the beginning.
You do not have a visa number, you have a file number. There is a big difference between the two. You have not submitted the DS-230 yet, so you definitely do not have a visa number that has been issued. The number that you have is so that you can follow the progress of your file.
But something else is hitting me wrong. If you had approval last summer, you should have have had Packet 3 long ago, looks like the bill was not paid for the visa. That needs to be paid after the approval, before they will send out the DS-230, etc. You should alreay have been at interview date or past.

OMG....

I was thinking I'm waiting kinda long...no way.

You know, I'm so glad I stuck with your advises, cause

I had some people telling me some BS...

Thank you again,

A

pinoy_guy · Apr 7, 2006

The I-140 was approved in June 2005 and I already had a visa number. My papers were sent to the National Visa Center and I was told to await Packet 3. Last month, I was informed that the hospital had a new director of recruitment and that she was no longer honoring job offers tendered by the previous director even though the hospital had already spent for the I-140 processing as well as the lawyers fees. The agency as well as the law office tried to reason with her to push through with the paperwork since we were already so far along in the process, to no avail.

oh no.

I'm afraid that, since the I-140 is practically invalid considering that the sponsor has backed out, I will have to start from scratch. I feel that it was such a waste of time and effort on everyone's part.

I met a woman near PRC a couple of months ago.

she said she was for Consular Processing, for the past 3 years...but that she got information from her agency that her employer was unilaterally stopping the processing of her papers.

she didn't know more than that.

she had been teaching at another school for the past 3 years.

so frustrating, considering validity of VSC is 5 years. she didn't have the NCLEX yet.

she said she felt so tired, & could not bear to apply & wait for another 3 years.

If I had stayed in the US and filed for AOS, I would have had my green card by now. I also feel bad that I had turned down SO MANY job offers including one that I really liked because the people in the agency, hospital and law office were so nice and accomodating to me.

this is certainly food for thought.

I hope you can go via AoS now.

in your situation, I don't think I can wait another 3 years, with the same uncertainty.

kitune · Apr 21, 2006

I've recieved letter from the USCIS which informed that my information was sent to Texas service center from CA. How long do I need to wait more? Which center's processing date should I refer?? Do I the USCIS need additional documents for my petition???

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 21, 2006

I've recieved letter from the USCIS which informed that my information was sent to Texas service center from CA. How long do I need to wait more? Which center's processing date should I refer?? Do I the USCIS need additional documents for my petition???

Things have changed regarding with service centre doing what. A lot of files have been transferred to Texas. Not sure what dates you need to follow but just be patient. It is also hard to say whether you need additional docs until Texas has chance to review your file

kitune · Apr 27, 2006

Thanks, Anna.

I'm going to start working next week...Excited? nervous?? I hope that my green card and other international nurses' will be approved soon.