For those of you that are studying in the US under either an F-1 visa, or any other where you do not have permission to work, and will need to apply for a green card when you finish your schooling-----this is for you.
You must meet all of the requirements for immigration that a foreign-trained nurse does, the only exception that you have is that the English requirements are waived for you. You still need to submit the application and get a Visa Screen Certificate. This is offered by CGFNS and the application is available on their website, http://www.CGFNS.org. There is only one application available, whether you did your training in the US, or overseas.
You will still need to find an employer that will petition for your green card. You will still need to undergo a physical exam at a physician's office that is approved by USCIS an have verification of all titers and vaccinations. If you do not have verifiable proof of having had chicken pox, etc., you will need to have either a titer drawn, or receive the vaccination. Immigration is very strict now with this, they will no longer go on what you are verbally telling them.
Hope that this helps...............most of you will also be able to get an OPT for one year of training while your documents are being processed, but you can only receive the OPT once, especially if this is now a second career for you, and you already used your OPT status for the other.
If you are coming to the US just for the MSN, and already have a BSN from overseas, you will be required to write the English exams. You are only exempt from them if this is your initial training as a nurse, meaning ADN or BSN only.
6k is a heigher quote, it should be around 3000 for doing i 140, i 485 and AP.
$6000 is way too high, that is much higher than even California lawyers charge. Lawyers fees are in the neighborhood of about $2000 plus the fees for the visa, medical, and things like that.
And sorry, that agency doesdn't know what they are talking about. When the OPT is filed and approved, you get an EAD that permits you to work. I suggest that you run fast from them if they are already giving you incorrect information.
The OPT permits you to work for one year after graduation to get experience in your field, that is the whole idea behind it. Definitely don't go there.
Hi, I'm an international student studying associate degree nursing at TN and I'll graduate this Dec. I have used my OPT before and now I'm thinking to apply for an internship in summer in the hospital where I do my school clinicals. So, is that CPT stuff I have to apply? how long does it usually take? (because May is coming soon and I really hope to get a chance to work during summer.) My community college doesn't many experiences dealing with international students and I just want to get some ideas first and I'll surely call the school tomorrow. I'm actually having an internship interview next Thursday. hope I'll be able to work in summer.
And, how does it affect my working when I graduate speaking of I have used my OPT?.... for I have read here, I need to find a lawyer? to apply for a Visa Screen?
:) something more here,,,, is there any one who is anxious like me when think about to work with Americans? I'm kind of afraid of that my speaking and listening are still not that good.
Thanks for anyone's reply!!! Much appreciated in advance. :))
Suzanne: what is your take on this? also if the visa number is current at the time of filing I 140 , does that allow a person to remain in US & work until I 485 get approved.
does any one know the validity of EAD issued (months/years) as part of I 140 & 485 approval. It seems that i can have an EAD with in 90 days once i file my papers. But if i have an year of OPT remaining and if the new EAD validity if for the same times frame, does that make sense?
Suzanne: what is your take on this? also if the visa number is current at the time of filing I 140 , does that allow a person to remain in US & work until I 485 get approved.
Once you apply for the green card, you are under those dates, not the date of your OPT. The OPT can last the one year, but for most it doesn't, as they get their green cards before.
You have a document that will permit you to wrok, that is all that you need to worry about. You will be fine.
Hi, I'm an international student studying associate degree nursing at TN and I'll graduate this Dec. I have used my OPT before and now I'm thinking to apply for an internship in summer in the hospital where I do my school clinicals. So, is that CPT stuff I have to apply? how long does it usually take? (because May is coming soon and I really hope to get a chance to work during summer.) My community college doesn't many experiences dealing with international students and I just want to get some ideas first and I'll surely call the school tomorrow. I'm actually having an internship interview next Thursday. hope I'll be able to work in summer.
And, how does it affect my working when I graduate speaking of I have used my OPT?.... for I have read here, I need to find a lawyer? to apply for a Visa Screen?
:) something more here,,,, is there any one who is anxious like me when think about to work with Americans? I'm kind of afraid of that my speaking and listening are still not that good.
Thanks for anyone's reply!!! Much appreciated in advance. :))
Yichen
You will need to wait until you get approval to work after you have passed the NCLEX exam. You cannot have any documents submitted for your petition until you have actually passed the NCLEX exam. It will be at least 2 months before you will be permitted to work, on average. You need to have the EAD processed.
You will also need to get a Visa Screen Certificate, but you do not need an attorney for that, just the application from CGFNS. You will need an immigration attorney to file your papers once you have an employer.
Once you apply for the green card, you are under those dates, not the date of your OPT. The OPT can last the one year, but for most it doesn't, as they get their green cards before.
You have a document that will permit you to wrok, that is all that you need to worry about. You will be fine.
Thank you, Susanne4. Guess I'll just study hard to pass the NCLEX.
How about internship while I'm at school? I have used OPT before. Can I still have a legal work position for my internship?
You will need to wait until you get approval to work after you have passed the NCLEX exam. You cannot have any documents submitted for your petition until you have actually passed the NCLEX exam. It will be at least 2 months before you will be permitted to work, on average. You need to have the EAD processed.
You will also need to get a Visa Screen Certificate, but you do not need an attorney for that, just the application from CGFNS. You will need an immigration attorney to file your papers once you have an employer.
Thank you, Susanne4. Guess I'll just study hard to pass the NCLEX.
How about internship while I'm at school? I have used OPT before. Can I still have a legal work position for my internship?
If you have used up the OPT, then it is no longer available to you. Not sure the number of hours that you used in the past, etc. Best bet is to check with your international advisor at your school since they have access to your file and hours, etc.
Legal work will depend on if you qualify for another EAD, and your advisor can best tell you this. Without it, you cannot work.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
$6000 is way too high, that is much higher than even California lawyers charge. Lawyers fees are in the neighborhood of about $2000 plus the fees for the visa, medical, and things like that.
And sorry, that agency doesdn't know what they are talking about. When the OPT is filed and approved, you get an EAD that permits you to work. I suggest that you run fast from them if they are already giving you incorrect information.
The OPT permits you to work for one year after graduation to get experience in your field, that is the whole idea behind it. Definitely don't go there.