immigration to US: is it possible without a sponsoring agency?

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Hello everyone...I am new to ALLnurses so please pardon me if i'm being redundant with all my inquiries. I've searched and read many posts but they dont suffice enough. You see I took and passed the NCLEX-RN at my own expense and is planning to do the same with the IELTS later these year. I have this fancy idea that I will finish half of the job and later search for an agency to help me with the rest, for instance application for the visa screen etc...this to save time waiting. Unfortunately I noticed that of all the agencies Ive contacted recently, none would want to sponsor me any time soon because of the retrogression. I am worried that my application will expire soon and I am still clueless on how to proceed. I am doubly worried that I chose California since I realized how tough it is to secure a license there mainly due to its special requirements such SSN (my main problem).

So my question- do I really need a sponsoring agency to help me with immigration? Or is it possible to make it on my own? I have very little idea on how things work...all I know is I want to live and work in the USA, whenever there is chance for me to do so. I have many quetions lining up but I dont want to sound like a big burden :D...its just that I'm pushed a little bit more to the desperate side already since my application to CABON is due to expire next year and I havent done much since I received the DCA letter. Silverdragon suggested that I apply to other states by endorsement I think its a great idea. But I want to know first, will I make it on my own??

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Agencies do help with all the legwork of finding a sponsor and sending in all the required documentation and fees to the immigration service. The agencies you've come in contact with are definitely being realistic when they tell you that they are unable to offer you help at this time. There aren't a lot of US health care facilities looking into foreign nurse recruitment at this time because there are more than enough nurses who are already in the US and are qualified to fill the nursing vacancies that exist. If the agencies who have been doing this work for a long time are having a hard time securing contracts with employers, I think it would be just as difficult if not more difficult for you to find a sponsor on your own.

Based on your post, it sounds like you are pursuing an employment-based immigrant visa since you mentioned retrogression. There are other visas that some nurses can avail of specifically H1B that are not affected by retrogression but are definitely in less demand due to the fact that there aren't many nursing positions available that meets the requirements for this visa. Obviously, the caveat is that you have to meet the requirements for this visa to be approved. You didn't specify your background in your post so I have no way of telling if you qualify for this particular visa.

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Hi JDC!

Thank you for the prompt reply! I am a BSN, RN from Phils, I have been in the Middleeast for the past 7 years, working in the ER as a staff nurse and recently, as a bed manager. I have not pursued a master's degree just yet but I might consider it in the near future as it will be useful in my current job. I doubt if I qualify for a H1 visa as of the moment though the prospect looks very promising hehehe...

You are right, I am looking at securing an employment-based immigrant visa but as what you've said the future is quite bleak for me now. After reading several posts I finally settle to just keep my file active by securing a license from other states by endorsement. Which state in your opinion, could best address my current situation? Do you know which state doesnt require a CGFNS certificate or a SSN? I have not taken the IELTS yet either, but I can register for the exam anytime as the British Council is just a few blocks away from my accomodation. How true is it that though my application to CABON might expire, my passing rate in the NCLEX remains and can be retrieved anytime in the future? if that is the case, is it ok to just leave my application until some good agency is willing to sponsor me and assist me with all the paperworks? Sometimes I just feel like giving up, but I hate to see my previous efforts wasted. Please help me, I hope you wont get tired of answering my questions.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi JDC!

Thank you for the prompt reply! I am a BSN, RN from Phils, I have been in the Middleeast for the past 7 years, working in the ER as a staff nurse and recently, as a bed manager. I have not pursued a master's degree just yet but I might consider it in the near future as it will be useful in my current job. I doubt if I qualify for a H1 visa as of the moment though the prospect looks very promising hehehe...

You are right, I am looking at securing an employment-based immigrant visa but as what you've said the future is quite bleak for me now. After reading several posts I finally settle to just keep my file active by securing a license from other states by endorsement. Which state in your opinion, could best address my current situation? Do you know which state doesnt require a CGFNS certificate or a SSN? I have not taken the IELTS yet either, but I can register for the exam anytime as the British Council is just a few blocks away from my accomodation. How true is it that though my application to CABON might expire, my passing rate in the NCLEX remains and can be retrieved anytime in the future? if that is the case, is it ok to just leave my application until some good agency is willing to sponsor me and assist me with all the paperworks? Sometimes I just feel like giving up, but I hate to see my previous efforts wasted. Please help me, I hope you wont get tired of answering my questions.

CA destroy file if no SSN has been submitted and destroyed file usually results in loss of NCLEX results. Most states have involvement with CGFNS and if you have your VSC then they generally can reuse your documents for CES as this is what most states require, only a small handful now require CGFNS exam. Suggest a look at the various BON websites and see what is required but be aware there are a few that will not issue a license without a SSN or legal proof of work/immigrant visa however your file is not destroyed, Arizona comes to mind in this case

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If your goal is to come to the USA , I would pursue a MSN from an American University. You can so it online, you have good experience the MSN would allow to get a H1B when the economy picks up. Medicare is looking at costs and it is rumored that expenses for recruiting will not be reimbursed, so I would plan to save your own expenses and if they do reimburse you will be surprised.

With the economy it. Maybe awhile.

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CA destroy file if no SSN has been submitted and destroyed file usually results in loss of NCLEX results. Most states have involvement with CGFNS and if you have your VSC then they generally can reuse your documents for CES as this is what most states require, only a small handful now require CGFNS exam. Suggest a look at the various BON websites and see what is required but be aware there are a few that will not issue a license without a SSN or legal proof of work/immigrant visa however your file is not destroyed, Arizona comes to mind in this case

I just came from AZ, the state is bad shape, many state jobs lost, if many foreign nurses apply they may go the way of CA.

Flooding a BON for nurses who do not have any intention of working in the state is not good use of tax money, the state of AZ has a bill looking to increase taxes, paying to process a IEN is not in the interest of the state. I attended a grad at the state university, it was so bare bones it was very sad. My daughter graduated from our state university and it was much nicer. I just mention this since the taxpayers pay thousands of dollars and who cringe to think money was being spent to support saving nuclei results.

Also immigration is being frowned upon....especially illegal, but with current unemployment I do not forecast thAt there will be many opportunities for IENs.

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Thank you guys! I'll take your advices and see how I can salvage my current situation. i have full intention of working in the US but as of now I am more than happy to just keep what already have and not lose it. Initially i just wanna know if it is at all possible to do all the paperworks on my own.

Medsurg32rn, we have American universities in the vicinity but my God, they cost a fortune! at my current salary I could not afford pursuing MSN here, but its a great idea thank you so much. I will read more about the different state BON, thank you again.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thank you guys! I'll take your advices and see how I can salvage my current situation. i have full intention of working in the US but as of now I am more than happy to just keep what already have and not lose it. Initially i just wanna know if it is at all possible to do all the paperworks on my own.

Medsurg32rn, we have American universities in the vicinity but my God, they cost a fortune! at my current salary I could not afford pursuing MSN here, but its a great idea thank you so much. I will read more about the different state BON, thank you again.

What sort of paperwork are you talking about? If immigration paperwork then you need a lawyer and employer

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I just came from AZ, the state is bad shape, many state jobs lost, if many foreign nurses apply they may go the way of CA.

Flooding a BON for nurses who do not have any intention of working in the state is not good use of tax money, the state of AZ has a bill looking to increase taxes, paying to process a IEN is not in the interest of the state. I attended a grad at the state university, it was so bare bones it was very sad. My daughter graduated from our state university and it was much nicer. I just mention this since the taxpayers pay thousands of dollars and who cringe to think money was being spent to support saving nuclei results.

Also immigration is being frowned upon....especially illegal, but with current unemployment I do not forecast thAt there will be many opportunities for IENs.

Here's another example of you going on a tangent and spitting out information not relevant to the initial post. If Arizona allows the OP to forward her test results and not get destoyed after a period of time (and that is a big if, because I don't even know what Arizona requires) then all the OP need to do is forward her result to Arizona. Who cares what kind of graduation ceremonies they are having in their state universities. All the OP wants to do is to keep her NCLEX result active.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
If your goal is to come to the USA , I would pursue a MSN from an American University. You can so it online, you have good experience the MSN would allow to get a H1B when the economy picks up. Medicare is looking at costs and it is rumored that expenses for recruiting will not be reimbursed, so I would plan to save your own expenses and if they do reimburse you will be surprised.

With the economy it. Maybe awhile.

I seriously would not recommend going for an MSN just for the sake of getting one. First, what sort of focus will her MSN be on? H1B visas are approved if there is an existing job opening for a nursing position. Just because a foreign nurse has an MSN does not mean they qualify for an H1B visa. Also, I'd be very careful with those programs that can be completed completely online even if they are supposedly US universities. Legitimate MSN programs that prepare for specialization (CNS or NP) require face to face clinical rotations that absolutely can not be completed online on many levels!

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To silverdragon: when i wrote about paper works i was basically thinking about application through endorsement and application for a visa screen and if I understood it right, I dont need a lawyer at this stage just yet, right? By the way, at which point do I start needing one? I'm sorry for my ignorance. I wasnt aware of the difficulties i would face when I contemplated about working in the US or I would have tied up with an agency sooner.

To JDC: Thank you for really having a good understanding of my situation. U r right, at this point all i care about is just to keep my file active. I think I will try applying for licensure in Vermont.I hope I read it right that they dont require a CGFNS. The MN by the way, is among my top career plans. I might enrol myself in a program back home by next year, we have very good universities that offer excellent post graduate programs. I wont do it solely for the purpose of migrating to the US coz i believe it will serve me well in my profession where ever I go later.

Guys thank you so much for your inputs, pls keep them coming. I dont know what else to ask right now but any relevant info will be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
To silverdragon: when i wrote about paper works i was basically thinking about application through endorsement and application for a visa screen and if I understood it right, I dont need a lawyer at this stage just yet, right? By the way, at which point do I start needing one? I'm sorry for my ignorance. I wasnt aware of the difficulties i would face when I contemplated about working in the US or I would have tied up with an agency sooner.

To JDC: Thank you for really having a good understanding of my situation. U r right, at this point all i care about is just to keep my file active. I think I will try applying for licensure in Vermont.I hope I read it right that they dont require a CGFNS. The MN by the way, is among my top career plans. I might enrol myself in a program back home by next year, we have very good universities that offer excellent post graduate programs. I wont do it solely for the purpose of migrating to the US coz i believe it will serve me well in my profession where ever I go later.

Guys thank you so much for your inputs, pls keep them coming. I dont know what else to ask right now but any relevant info will be greatly appreciated.

Correct if just looking at paperwork for safe guarding your NCLEX results then you do not need a lawyer however unless you have a SSN and a license issued you can not endorse. I believe there are specific instructions on Vermont website regarding passing NCLEX in another state but no license issued. You will however need CES from CGFNS for Vermont and good news is same documents you supply for CES can be used by CGFNS for visa screen. A lawyer isn't required until you find a employer and start the paperwork fir immigrant or H1b visa

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