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.
I've tried explaining to my family that only a "Green Card" is available for nurses who want to work in the US. They're still having doubts and think I'm being 'had'. My other relatives who are employed here (a couple physicians especially) remain incredulous about this and refuse to believe me.
And yes, I have shown them the International Nursing forum.
"Words on an internet forum aren't enough". :stone
They want to see "direct" proof.
Or someone willing to attest to the fact. They've repeatedly asked me "Do you know any nurses, foreign nurses who recieved education in US Nursing School who has gone on to recieve green card after graduating and finding a job?"
I says no - because I don't really know anyone!
So according to them, I'm probably not well informed and they're still telling me that I need to apply for the H1 when I do find the job!
Maybe I should look for an immigration lawyer and have him/her talk to my folks.
Tell them to contact an immigration attorney. There have not been H1 visas available to nurses for over two years.
Nurses are now being fast-tracked, other firlds take at least five years to get a green card, an RN can get one in under a year. That is why so many are now going into nursing.
I hope that H1 visas never, ever come back into play. They are horrible. You are owned by the facility or agency, and I mean literally. They do not have to pay you the same wages as an America, they do with the green card, and if you get fired, or quit, you have rouglly thirty days to find antoher empleyer, or you need to leave the country.
Sorry that your relatives have bad information. It makes it harder on everyone else, when these myths continue. Ask them to check into getting you a position on an H1-B visa, and they will see that it cannot be done. You also will not find a hospital that wants to go thru that, it takes a staff of three to handle all of the paperwork.
She needs to get her visa straightened out first. There is not one thing that can be done if she is not current.
About to graduate from nursing school? And she did it on a tourist visa? They are only good for 6 months, so she overstayed for the rest of the time. That is more than overstayed.
She needs to see an immigration attorney as soon as possible. Soem states will not even let her take the NCLEX exam.
I live in Pasadena, CA for 4 years. I worked as an RN in Uzbekistan for 2
years.
I want to be an RN in USA also.I have a book for RN : NCLEX with questions and answers.
Could you please suggest me what books i have to read, and what kind of curses i can have with content and practice.
Sincerelly Julya.
You need to make sure that your curriculum will meet the requirements for the US. Not all two year programs do. I would start with that as soon as possible.
Please go to the NCLEX Discussion Forum, there is much there about this.
I only recommend Saunder's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN.
dan_haifa
33 Posts
Hi Suzanne!
Thank you very much for your prompt response and good advice!
My best regards!
Dan