Intending to relocate on F1 visa

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Good day,

Please am considering coming to USA on F1 visa to do a certificate program in community health promotion which is a year program. So that I can write Nclex within the one year, because I have intentions of doing my MSc in Nursing anaesthesia from the same school and I will need RN license. My dilemma now is could it be possible to change from F1 visa to EB3, within one year? Am from Nigeria. I have a BNSc with 5 years post graduation working experience. I need help and information. My intending state is North Carolina. Thanks for all contributions.

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Specializes in SICU.

Not possible

F1 status is highly restricted

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It will currently take longer changing from F1 to EB3 than 12 months you are asking about

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Specializes in Oncology.

F1 to EB3 within a year is impossible.

Some states won't issue you a license if you don't have a SSN. Some nursing schools do not allow F1 to be admitted to the school. Please check with NC BON and school you plan to attend.

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Ok, I can get ssn since I will work on campus. But can it possible to work as a nurse on f1 visa? Or change to H1B VISA. I JUST NEED SOME DETAILS

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Specializes in NICU.

I am not sure if this will happen, it is possible to stay for 6 yrs.

US May Allow F1 Visa Students To Stay & Work For 6 Years After Feb 2016

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Ok, I can get ssn since I will work on campus. But can it possible to work as a nurse on f1 visa? Or change to H1B VISA. I JUST NEED SOME DETAILS

I would image so as long as you maintain full time education and only work the permitted hours. Suggest a chat with your international student adviser. Many employers will not go the H1b route when there are many local nurses not working due to the expense plus H1b is a skilled worker visa and as a new grad you are not skilled

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Specializes in Oncology.

I was F1 once. My counselor didn't allow to work outside campus at all unless I applied for. I remembered i had to pay $300 fee for one semester to work off campus which wasn't worth it.

Maybe a volunteer work in hospital without pay. I believe you can do as F1.

To change to F1 to H1B might be possible. One of my friends did. But she knew someone in a nursing home where she works. That was how she gothe a job where they were willing to sponsor her. In a hospital setting, you really have to stand out among those local candidates who don't need a sponsorship.

And I heard all those immigration reform but nothing happening yet. So don't trust the media so much. Unless it is directly from the white house or uscis. You can sign up on their website for the news.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Oncology.

You can do OPT after you finish your program which allow you to work for one year after graduation. But you can grant OPT once no matter you finish 10 degrees in the U.S. So use it wisely.

Again being hired as a nurse on OPT might be different story. It's not as easy as it looks these days.

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Am not a new graduate, am coming to USA as a foreign trained Nurses with 5 years working experience. And am considering my MSc in Nursing anaesthesia. That's why I need a job and get a visa change

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The community health promotion class--are you certain it will give you OPT & an F1 visa? Especially since it's not a higher level than your BSN you are likely not eligible for opt.

You don't need to be in the U.S. to obtain an RN license in all states. CRNA programs are highly competitive and very few admit international students which limits the student visa opportunities. You would need often to have an instate RN license, a BScN declared equivalent to a U.S. BSN plus 2+ years of paid ICU experience in the U.S. No student visa or opt is going to get you that experience. With a health promotion certificate if you are even eligible for opt would only be valid to work in community health promotion not the ICU.

Have you contacted any CRNA programs to see if , other than lacking US ICU experience, your credentials would meet their admissions standards and if they are eligible to sponsor for an F1 visa? (Not all schools & majors are eligible)

In addition unless you have unique specialized experienced you won't be qualified for H1B sponsorship (many nurses don't) but that visa requires full time work, something very difficult to do as a studentRNA

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

OPT can be granted at each degree level so if you earned a U.S. BSN that would be one opt, go back for a community health certificate--ineligible as its lower than a BSN but go back to school for a MSN or doctorate and can get another year granted.

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