How long does it take to process a h1b visa?

[BennyBear]

Hello all....

Please can anyone out there tell me how long it takes to process a H1b visa for employment in a hospital which is affilliated with a university and exempt from the cap and annual cut off points. I have an interview lined up (woo hoo!) and I am really hopeful and positive however from experience I now realise that most managers/recruiters/HR staff who do the interviewing and hiring are surprisingly oblivious of the nuts and bolts of acquiring the actual visa. They seem to be able to tell you whether their facility is willing to sponsor overseas RNs or not, and following interviews can then subsequently make a decision about whether they want to offer you the position or not, but beyond that, it is clearly the remit of the hospital's legal department who deals with the technicalities. I understand that an offer of a job does not necessarily guarantee that the application for a visa will be successful. But if there is anyone out there who knows what the approximate time frame is for a H1b applicant between being offered a job, and actually starting employment, I would be very grateful. Thank you!!!

[Gem1210390]

Have to checked on the uscis website lots of info in there plus you can find out how many h1b have been granted to the hospital. I was told today that not able to get h1b unless a nurse educator or advanced practitioner.

[Gem1210390]

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Also make sure that the hospital is aware they have to pay all fees and that they can not ask you anything towards the fees. Your wage must also match wage that they would pay anyone else. Also time will depend on whether employer is willing to pay premium fees meaning quick decision on approval or denial

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

ps Good luck on your interview

[Gem1210390]

Forgot to say good luck with the interview I am sure you will do well. Make sure to check the way they do the h1b when I was offered one I was to pay all the fees.

[BennyBear]

Thanks Silver Dragon & thank you Gem for continuing to respond to my questions. Where did you hear that only advanced/educator nurses get h1bs? I have made it quite clear to the potential employer that I would require sponsorship for a H1b and I have had a 'preliminary' Skype interview with them already, which must have gone well because the same day they emailed me to schedule a 'proper' interview next week with the nurse manager plus the whole staff team, oh boy...sleepless nights...! Surely if they only sponsor ANPs or nurse educators they would have said thanks but no thanks, like a lot of other hospitals have said to me. I haven't been vague about my credentials. I think the H1b is extremely subjective and depends upon how effectively the potential emplyer petitions on your behalf to demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the job. I read somewhere that it's like match making and has a lot of grey areas (sorry 'gray' haha.) Also, how desperate the hospital is to fill the vacancy and how long the post has been advertised yet remains unfilled due to lack of interest or suitable candidates. Hence those hospitals in rural or unpopular areas are more likely to consider sponsorship than the big flashy hospitals in major cities. And with reference to USCIS Gem, it clearly sets out the criteria on there and I do meet the criteria...BSN...licensure...'specialist' experience...and finally, specialist certification. Fingers and toes crossed!!!!!!!! Are you in Houston yet Gem? x

[Gem1210390]

Immigration lawyer said that to me. They said because it is based on the job if being a nurse and not the position and nursing doesn't require a bachelor degree. But as you said you have been completely open with then so they know what route you are aiming. Try to get them to put in writing that they will sponsor for green cards once you are in Texas so you know that you will not always stay on h1b. I didn't ask to many question cause it is not the route I am going for. I am just finishing off my masters here ( this will not really help in but it get me a higher qualification in neonatal care). I am going to look at taking my CCRN exam should be out in the next 12 months or so. Which suits me. I hope you get the job. If you look at the visa bulletin you will see that the green card retrogression date for the uk moved forward significantly in the last few months so hopefully you will be able to get your permanent residency quickly.

Let me know how you get on in your interview. What was the first interview like ? It is good with all the technology these days that you can do it via Skype although going over for a trip wouldn't be a bad thing

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

there are web sites that list the visas that have been approved , in Texas mostly Nps have been approved. my experience with non using colleagues the visas can be approved with in weeks. good luck.

[Gem1210390]

That's sounds good gingers mom. I don't know much about the type of visa just what I was told by an immigration lawyer.

If it is fast processing that make it a lot quicker to get out there. They also said that Obama may change it so spouses can work as well on the H1B.

[BennyBear]

Thanks guys. I did have a look on the UCIS website and it says 3 months but there is an express service so who knows. I realise that mostly NPs get approved but if the RN position you are applying for requires a BSN, and a lot of critical care positions for experienced RNS do (ICU, OR, ER) then the employer can demonstrate that you are eligible for sponsorship. A lot of more 'basic' RN positions (ward-based or clinic based for example) do not require a BSN so would not qualify.

[Gem1210390]

Have you had your interview with the hospital it? How you started your visa screen. I have just started on that task of getting all the forms filled out by various people. I just hope my university complete the form correctly.