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.
What's EAD? Why is my visa not going to be considered current at the end of next month? Are you talking about the 90 days window after the graduation? Technicaly I haven't graduated school yet because I have one incomplete class although I attended the graduation ceremony. I won't get my dimploma until I pass the exit exam. Doesn't the 90 days start from the day I get my diploma?
I also don't know of any immigration attorneys that specialize in nursing in New Jersey.
You are already in the US, but the issue is that no I-140 and I-485 petitions are going to be accepted.
You do not have a visa as a nurse, you have a student visa, these are two different things. There are going to not be any visas for permanent residency available next month. It is also going to depend on where you were born, as to when things will open up.
Please take the time to do some reading here, it has already been answered multiple times.
i m international student studing in maryland,i want to move to virginia after i complete my studies in december 2006. what should i do to get direct virginia licence? so i dont have to tranfer my licennce later. what should i have start to apply for greencard? since i have one more semester left.
1. You never transfer a license...........impossible to do. You can endorse, but no shic thing as transfer, or gettign reciprocity.
2. You apply to Viriginia for licensure, just like you would do if you stayed in Maryland.
3. There is not one thing that can be done until you graduate, a green card for nurses is employer driven and cannot be submitted until you have proof of passing the NCLEX exam.
Also, how do I get an EAD without applying for a Greencard??
Sorry, but there is no way. When you graduate and pass the NCLEX exam, your employer will have to petition you for permanent residency, there are no temporary work permits available for nurses.
The EAD is part of the process, permitting you to work in the US, while you are completing the necessary requirements to get a green card.
What I find hard to beleive is that your student advisor, or International advisor, never made menthion of this to you? How about that you need an employer? Do you by any chance have an OPT, or did you apply for one?
I am an international student and already have a bachelor's degree (non-nursing) from India. Here, i am getting an BSN degree at South dakota state university. For visa screen do i have to request only sdsu to fill the form and send transcript or my indian university also has to do it. Infact, i have their transcript (from indian university) already been evaluted by WES (World Education Services) and some of the classes have been transferred to SDSU for my nursing program. I dont know if they are only cocerned about the transcript from the university that will be awarding me BSN degree. If they also want the transcript from the indian university, can i send them an evaluated copy by WES. Also, i talked to one attorney today and i was not convinced at all to see the way she was talking.
Ms Suzzane, can you PM me couple of names of attorney who are reliable to work with for the case of international nurses. and Couple of hospitals around south dakota who are willing to sponsor international nurses. Thank you very much in advance.
Hi Suzanne. I read along this thread that you do not recommand nursing homes as a start for new grads. The thing is that all hospital training programs in my area are full until next year, so I am stuck with opening my horizons to LTC. I was offered a position on a skilled unit of a LTC facility. The training program is 4 weeks, and they know I am a new grad who needs training. The patient load is 13 per RN. Do you have any recommandation? Thanks you for your reply.
I am an international student and already have a bachelor's degree (non-nursing) from India. Here, i am getting an BSN degree at South dakota state university. For visa screen do i have to request only sdsu to fill the form and send transcript or my indian university also has to do it. Infact, i have their transcript (from indian university) already been evaluted by WES (World Education Services) and some of the classes have been transferred to SDSU for my nursing program. I dont know if they are only cocerned about the transcript from the university that will be awarding me BSN degree. If they also want the transcript from the indian university, can i send them an evaluated copy by WES. Also, i talked to one attorney today and i was not convinced at all to see the way she was talking.
Ms Suzzane, can you PM me couple of names of attorney who are reliable to work with for the case of international nurses. and Couple of hospitals around south dakota who are willing to sponsor international nurses. Thank you very much in advance.
Regards,
USDSU
Sorry but I do not know of one facility in that area that petitions. Find an employer first, if you wish to stay in that area.
If the application states, all professional degrees, then that is what it means, even if it is in another field, you need to include it, it is up to ICHP to decide if they need it or not, but you need to include it.
Sorry, but there is no way. When you graduate and pass the NCLEX exam, your employer will have to petition you for permanent residency, there are no temporary work permits available for nurses.
The EAD is part of the process, permitting you to work in the US, while you are completing the necessary requirements to get a green card.
What I find hard to beleive is that your student advisor, or International advisor, never made menthion of this to you? How about that you need an employer? Do you by any chance have an OPT, or did you apply for one?
My intrenational adviser said I would have to leave the country if I don't change my status to something else. I already had OPT when I got my first BA, so the international adviser said I couldn't get another one. I was hoping to get a job offer now, start working with CPT and just continue on when I pass the NCLEX to petition for a Greencard.
Also, can I work for an employer other than the one that petitioned for my Greencard?
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this question. Anyway, I'm a nurse from the Philippines now based (and working) in New Jersey. Since I finished my BSN in the Philippines, is there a way for me to pursue an MSN degree here in the US? Do you know what online school will be best for me being a foreign grad? Thanks in advance!
My intrenational adviser said I would have to leave the country if I don't change my status to something else. I already had OPT when I got my first BA, so the international adviser said I couldn't get another one. I was hoping to get a job offer now, start working with CPT and just continue on when I pass the NCLEX to petition for a Greencard.
Also, can I work for an employer other than the one that petitioned for my Greencard?
You really need to talk to an immigration attorney as soon as possilbe, especially if you do not qualify for the OPT. The CPT is for when you are a student. And there is going to be a freeze coming up shortly re I-140 and I-485 petitions. I would listen to the immigration attorney first, I have seen issues with what some advisors have told students to do and they have not been legal.
And not one thing can be done as far as petition until you actually take the pass the NCLEX exam.
And a freeze goes into place shortly, I really suggest that you talk to an attorney.
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this question. Anyway, I'm a nurse from the Philippines now based (and working) in New Jersey. Since I finished my BSN in the Philippines, is there a way for me to pursue an MSN degree here in the US? Do you know what online school will be best for me being a foreign grad? Thanks in advance!
Sure you can get a MSN in the US.
I love the University of Phoenix and they are used to working with foreign grads. I would check them out, but also see if your facility has any connections with some programs in your area.
Thank you for the advice suzanne4. I did email ICHP and hope to hear from them in couple of days. Also, even if you find any facility around the neighboring states (ND,Wyoming,MN,WI,Montana,Michigan,Iowa,)that patitions, it will work perfect for me. Please need help to find a legal expert who knows how to handle our case. I have heard of some bad lawyers so just want to be in a safe side. Since you have been in this field for a long time and have vast knowledge of legal procedure, your advice would be a "peace of mind". Thank you very much in advance.
Sorry but I do not know of one facility in that area that petitions
Sorry but I do not know of one facility in that area that petitions. Find an employer first, if you wish to stay in that area.
If the application states, all professional degrees, then that is what it means, even if it is in another field, you need to include it, it is up to ICHP to decide if they need it or not, but you need to include it.
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
You are already in the US, but the issue is that no I-140 and I-485 petitions are going to be accepted.
You do not have a visa as a nurse, you have a student visa, these are two different things. There are going to not be any visas for permanent residency available next month. It is also going to depend on where you were born, as to when things will open up.
Please take the time to do some reading here, it has already been answered multiple times.