International nursing students in the US

World Immigration

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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.

Hi suzanne! I took the nclex for SC abt two yrs ago and planning to retake the test. Will I file for CES again? thanks in advance.

You need to check with them, and more than likely will also need to reapply to them as well because of the time lapse.

Hi, suzanne!

It's my first time to post here.

I'm an Int'l student, of course, and I'll graduate May, 2007.

The reason why I write this is...

I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Until today, I read your advice and information about all procedures after school, I was so confused and worried about everything.

Since I don't know anyone who having the same situation like me, and my school doesn't know either, it was really hard for me to get current and accurate information about it.

Sound silly, but I couldn't focus on studying because of the thought,

'What am I gonna do? What'll happen if I can't get H1B/H1C visa?'

But Now I can concentrate on NCLEX than ever!

F-1 visa, OPT, visa screen, green card, and endless....I learned a lot!

While I was reading through from 1-46 pages, I was surprised by your

patience and kindness: saying the same things over and over.

I could feel how much you care of it.

Thanks, again.

(May I say) God bless you!

Thank you for taking the time to write.:balloons:

hi suzanne! question: i am applying for a visa screen and i was under the impression that when you pass nclex you will be automatically licensed. i was corrected and now i know that you need a u.s. social security number for brn to issue you a permanent license. in order to get this, i know i have to get a change of status, hence the vsc. now, will i be having a problem with it since i did pass it but i don't have an ss number yet.

btw, the retrogression sucks bigtime!?!.. sigh..

thanks so much suzanne

hi suzanne! question: i am applying for a visa screen and i was under the impression that when you pass nclex you will be automatically licensed. i was corrected and now i know that you need a u.s. social security number for brn to issue you a permanent license. in order to get this, i know i have to get a change of status, hence the vsc. now, will i be having a problem with it since i did pass it but i don't have an ss number yet.

btw, the retrogression sucks bigtime!?!.. sigh..

thanks so much suzanne

Depends on the state where you applied, and since you mentioned the BRN, that means CA. They, along with many others, will not issue a license until you are in the US and able to work with a SSN# in hand. You do not get a change of status, you must have a visa that will permit you to work. You can only get a change of status if you were already in the US on a different visa. But right now, with the retrogression, there is no Adjustment of Status being made for any nurse right now.

The VSC is required by US Immigration and has nothing to do with licensure in a state, other than that being a requirement to get the VSC.

Not sure where you are getting your information from, all it needs is proof that you passed the NCLEX exam, no where does it state that it requires a license for that. You just have the state send in the verification that you passed the NCLEX exam on the form included with the application and include $60 if it is CA.

Hi, Suzanne.

I have two questions for you.

First, do I need to get CGFNS to take Pennsylvania state NCLEX?

I've been taking BSN in Ga, and will graduate this May. (F-1 visa)

Second, if I have RN license, and finished nursing course in English,

whatelse do I need to go thru visa screen?

I think I got answers to these questions here, but I'm not sure.

Thanks!

Hi, Suzanne.

I have two questions for you.

First, do I need to get CGFNS to take Pennsylvania state NCLEX?

I've been taking BSN in Ga, and will graduate this May. (F-1 visa)

Second, if I have RN license, and finished nursing course in English,

whatelse do I need to go thru visa screen?

I think I got answers to these questions here, but I'm not sure.

Thanks!

If you go to PA for initial licensure, and you trained in the US, you do not need to take the CGFNS exam as you will be graduating from a US program. You will just need to pass the NCLEX exam to apply for the Visa Screen Certificate. Make sure that you get the OPT before you graduate or you will be unable to work.

The hospital petitioned for her and she is currently on OPT with F-1 visa status.Well i am waiting for her to hear from immigration.Thanks a lot Suzanne

The hospital petitioned for her and she is currently on OPT with F-1 visa status.Well i am waiting for her to hear from immigration.Thanks a lot Suzanne

If they recently petitioned for her, after October 31, then USCIS is only accepting the I-140 and nothing more towards the green card at present. And your friend does need the Visa Screen Certificate, she does not need a CGFNS Certificate. They are two very different items. She does not need the CGFNS Certificate as she trained in the US, but US Immigration requires the Visa Screen Certificate for all that are applying for and wishing to get a green card. They will not release the green card, when they are available again, without it.

Thanks, Suzanne.

Everything's clear now.

I really appreciate it.

Is there any America edcuated new graduate who has no previous nursing experiences feeling desperate like me?:crying2: As I just shouted out loudly with great excitement when I passed NCLEX at my 1st attemp, now I feel like I'm abandoned. I studied hard, graduated last Dec. from ADN, and studied a month for NCLEX trying to just focus on passing before worrying anything else. and now, the worries emerge. I'm excited to start to work as a real RN but where can I go?

Anyways, Thanks Suzanne and other kind friends always take time to answer my questions. As Suzanne responded me in VisaScreen section that since no hospital is able to petition foreign nurses at this moment I may just go back home and wait. However, I'm concerned that if I go back to my hometown, the skills that I have learned (even though they are fundamental) will be fading away. That plus time waiting might add some trouble for later in searching a RN position in USA as again I lack of experiences. and it seems to me that it does not look like usa really has a great demand in nursing staffs?

This afternoon, an agent called me and told me that a nursing home is willing to help me get EAD ASAP, will do the GC, and will pay me $20 cash until the permit is done and then increase the rate that is possible also around $20 after tax. Does EAD not have conflict with GC, why the nursing home can be sure that they can do that for me at this time? I asked the agent why a nursing home can do the EAD and not a hospital, she simply stated that nursing home is usually owned by one owner. Unlike multi-owners hospital has to get yes from each of their participants. Nursing home is really my last choice. However, at this point, if that's true that I can get to stay & work legally first. that's fine. I may work and take some courses to get some BSN credits.

ok, but after I review several previous posts and the content, I went to look at my visa and saw my f1 expires on 07/2006 (I studied education before going into nursing). which means no matter what, I'm not eligible to apply for the EAD, right?

the last question is I'm licensed in TN, and it says active multistates. what does the multistates compact really mean to me? I read it but still kind of confused about that.

I'll appreciate anyone who reads and answers. or just say a coulpe of comforting words that I need right now. and sorry for venting this long complaints...

Hi,

what it means is that you can use that liscense to practice in any state that has the compact liscense e.g New jersey without having to go through the endorsement.I am currently in memphis,Tn,i graduate in August and hope to take my boards that same month,then i will cross my fingers and see what currently happens.Dont you qualify for OPT?i qualify for OPT and i am currently getting a lot of experience working as a nurse extern in one of memphis hospitals.whats the name of the Nursing home?you can go in there or look for anyone who works there?

Thank you for your message, ekiosahae,:specs:

And I'm very pleased(also surprised) to know someone here is actually very close to where I live.

Sadly I have used my OPT on the other major. If I had OPT I would be much less stressed. I did enjoy my intern at the hospital here. I also learned a lot as the staffs were very kind to walk me through if I have questions. Americans don't understand why I can't get to work after I graduated. The nursing home is located in Chicago, IL that is not a participant in compact license states.

again,thank you. after throwing out those words, I feel better. and wish you all the best. Soon you'll have your RN title. :nurse:

Hi,

what it means is that you can use that liscense to practice in any state that has the compact liscense e.g New jersey without having to go through the endorsement.I am currently in memphis,Tn,i graduate in August and hope to take my boards that same month,then i will cross my fingers and see what currently happens.Dont you qualify for OPT?i qualify for OPT and i am currently getting a lot of experience working as a nurse extern in one of memphis hospitals.whats the name of the Nursing home?you can go in there or look for anyone who works there?

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