International nursing students in the US

[suzanne4]

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.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hi Suzanne,

With an F-1 visa, I will be graduating with an ADN this May here in AZ, and my OPT application is under process since February. My question is: Would I still need to apply for a VSC to sit for NCLEX? What are other requirements that I would need to complete or apply in order to take NCLEX?

Thanks a lot!

The VSC is only required for the green card, it is not a requirement to have it to take the NCLEX exam, you actually have to have passed the NCLEX exam in order to get the VSC.

You need to apply to the BON of the state of where you wish to get licensed and follow their requirements. You will need to have a VSC to get the green card, when they do become available.

[suzanne4, RN]

Several errors were made.

1. I read somewhere that the USCIS will no longer accept I140 application with incomplete documentation, hence, i waited until my vsc is approved before I went to a lawyer.

2. I went to this lawyer in October2006. He knew about the retrogression but he did not file the application right away. It took him several days before completing the job posting then more days before getting the employers' questionaire done and other information gathered before filing the application.

3. He got my credit card information so that he can charge the filing fee against it. I looked at my history but cannot find the charge ($195). But the application was filed and acknowledged with a receipt number dated December 18. I guess the lawyer paid the fee from his own pocket (out of guilt?).

Here I am now on pins and needles. I guess my option is to wait it out here in the USA. I have to get a new I20 for a degree course and enroll full time every semester. A full (12 credit) semester costs $3200 (for non-residents). Learned my lesson too late.

Sorry that you have learned this the hard way. Definitely make sure that you keep your status current if you are planning to remain in the US, or you will not have anything to be able to adjust when the petitions for the I-485, as well as the for the EAD are current.

You did not need the VSC to have the petition submitted, it is not needed for the filing...............as long as you had proof of passing the NCLEX-RN exam of the CGFNS exam to start the process.

Next question would be: who suggested this attorney to you?

[reyaguilar]

Am I out of status now? If I go back to my home country to wait it out is the I-485 going to apply?

How I got this lawyer? I asked the other filipina RN's how they came here. They said they were petitioned by the hospital and it was this lawyer who handled their case.

Sometimes it is exasperating to see illegal aliens here from accross the border able and bold enough to work without proper documents. Whereas me, who want it to be all legit is left to suffer the angst of frustration and joblessness.

Sorry that you have learned this the hard way. Definitely make sure that you keep your status current if you are planning to remain in the US, or you will not have anything to be able to adjust when the petitions for the I-485, as well as the for the EAD are current.

You did not need the VSC to have the petition submitted, it is not needed for the filing...............as long as you had proof of passing the NCLEX-RN exam of the CGFNS exam to start the process.

Next question would be: who suggested this attorney to you?

[suzanne4, RN]

Am I out of status now? If I go back to my home country to wait it out is the I-485 going to apply?

How I got this lawyer? I asked the other filipina RN's how they came here. They said they were petitioned by the hospital and it was this lawyer who handled their case.

Sometimes it is exasperating to see illegal aliens here from accross the border able and bold enough to work without proper documents. Whereas me, who want it to be all legit is left to suffer the angst of frustration and joblessness.

The I-485 can only be processed if you are in the US, otherwise there would no visa to adjust. As long as you keep your status current with the I-20, and do not have a day to depart on your I-94, you are okay and current, provided that you meet the requirements to keep the student status.

If you leave the US, you cannot use the AOS process for the green card.

----------------

And for others that are reading this, let it be a lesson to you. Forst, there is much paperwork to be done before a petition can be submitted, it is not something that can be put together overnight. It normally takes a few weeks to get all of the information that is required. Lawyers have more than one client, and so this can cause delays even more.

[thenurse2006, RN]

hello, forgive me for not being well informed eh! i keep reading abt opt...cpt...externships...f1... what are these all about? and how do they apply for these? little grandmah is curious to know. please explain.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hi Suzanne,

With an F-1 visa, I will be graduating with an ADN this May here in AZ, and my OPT application is under process since February. My question is: Would I still need to apply for a VSC to sit for NCLEX? What are other requirements that I would need to complete or apply in order to take NCLEX?

Thanks a lot!

The VSC is not needed to sit for the NCLEX exam, it is required only for immigration purposes. The only thing that you need to do is graduate from an approved school of nursing, then get permission to sit for the exam. There are no other requirements to be able to sit for that exam. You will need the VSC to get the petition started for the green card, but those petitions are not currently being accepted.

[suzanne4, RN]

hello, forgive me for not being well informed eh! i keep reading abt opt...cpt...externships...f1... what are these all about? and how do they apply for these? little grandmah is curious to know. please explain.

f1 is the visa for students that are in the us on a student visa. students are also able to attend school on any of the other visas, but this is the only one that will permit them to get the opt. the opt gives them a year to work and get experience in the area that they got their degree in. right now, with the retrogression, this is the only way that anyone can work. without being under f1 status when they graduate, as well as not having used the opt for the same level of degree, or lesser degree. such as they had a bs, and then went back to school for the two year adn, it would not be effective for them. they can also work while in school to get experience and that is called the cpt.

you cannot apply for the opt if you have already graduated. that is the other requirement of that work permit.

externships are done by students when they are in school, once they have graduated, then it is an internship. and they require a document that permits you to work in the us, if a foreign student.

[nrswnabee]

I'm on an F1 visa and studying towards an ADN (graduate by May 2008, yehey!). I'll be 2nd year this fall. There are 6 to 9 weeks externship programs being offered by hospitals around here for the summer. If I take advantage of any of the offers, how will it affect---

1. my current part-time work in-campus (my SSN is tied up with the school, right? I love my job and I want to keep it while doing the externship in the evenings, if possible.)

2. my OPT next year (will this externship reduce the 12-month OPT to 10 months if I decide to do an 8-week externship? Given the current situation, will 10 months be enough time to process my papers and I don't go out-of-status working under an EAD?)

My summer classes will be over by 3rd week of June and fall classes won't begin until September. I'd definitely want to do the externship but I'm half-hearted about its effect on my OPT time while I pursue legitimate hospital sponsorship.

Appreciate your advice. THANKS!!!

[carribeannurse072b]

Hello Suzanne4,

I am new to the international section, as I have been reading the NY section before.

I came to the USA on a B1/B2 visa, and overstayed my time (after been abused by my father, the thought of going back home made me stay in the US). I have been here now for 10 years.

I want to go back to school to do the RN course, and have a few questions for you:

1. Being out of status, will schools still accept me if I apply?

2. If they do, I was told by the NY licensure examination board that I don't need a ss# to sit the NCLEX exam, as they will provide a computer generate nine-digit number for me, but I will need it to work (which I had already gather)

3. I also read where I can take the Authorization to Test letter to the SSA office to get a non-employment SSN. Is that true?

4. If I cannot work in the US, would it be better for me to go to another country and work? My sister who is a nurse, resides in the UK.

Any help will be appreciated. I thank you in advance for the answers.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hello Suzanne4,

I am new to the international section, as I have been reading the NY section before.

I came to the USA on a B1/B2 visa, and overstayed my time (after been abused by my father, the thought of going back home made me stay in the US). I have been here now for 10 years.

I want to go back to school to do the RN course, and have a few questions for you:

1. Being out of status, will schools still accept me if I apply?

2. If they do, I was told by the NY licensure examination board that I don't need a ss# to sit the NCLEX exam, as they will provide a computer generate nine-digit number for me, but I will need it to work (which I had already gather)

3. I also read where I can take the Authorization to Test letter to the SSA office to get a non-employment SSN. Is that true?

4. If I cannot work in the US, would it be better for me to go to another country and work? My sister who is a nurse, resides in the UK.

Any help will be appreciated. I thank you in advance for the answers.

NY does not rquire the SSN# to test, but they do not give you any type of number. But the issue is that you are not current with your visa, therefore will not be able to work in the US when you finish and are also subhect to being deported.

And you do not get any type of number from the Social Security office until you have a legal visa that will permit you to work, or a legal document that will permit you to work. There is no such thing as a non-employment SSN#, based on having an ATT.

What type of visa do you plan to show to the school? You are supposed to prove that you are in the US legally. You must apply for the F-1 visa out of the US.

Even if you attended school in the US, and wished to work in the UK, be aware that the UK has a hiring freeze now, and you will have difficulties even getting a license there. They also require at least a three year degree to be able to work there.

ICE is deporting all over the country right now, even if you are in a taxi that is pulled over, you run the chance of being picked up. You do not have time to go home and back a suitcase, only the articles that you have with you. And you go to Immigration Detention before being sent out, which is essentially a jail. You are in the US illegally, and have overstayed a visa for more than 10 years. And you cannot tell me that you have not worked druing that time either.

You asked for my opinion, and you are getting it. You have been here over ten years illegally, there is not one thing that can be done for you. And to wish to take a place from someone that could legally work in the US when they finish is just not acceptable to me. Especially when you know that you are here illegally. I will bend backwards to help someone when they do things legal, but when they do not, no help here.

[sharmap]

Hi suzanne,

I am very new to this site. I am really interested to do a BSN degree in my university. MY university is offering a fast track course of 16 months to completethe BSN if u have already have a BSC degree. Actually i m a guy and i m on an F1 visa from august2006. I got a F1 visa of 5 years for doing a Phd degree herein USA, as i have already a masters degree in agriculture field from India, my native place. But here i had to join a programme in which i have to complete first masters and then Phd. Right now i m doing masters in agriculture which i hopefully going to finish by march 2008. Actually i have talk to my international office and they told me that if i do BSN after completing masters degree then i cannot be eligible for OPT and in that case i would have only 2 months to sstay in US after completion of the BSN. Now my question is In which way should i proceed. Is there any way i can do BSN and get a job here and also file my papers too for green card etc. Bec. i would have only two months after the completion of BSN. Can i stay here just after filing my papers. Looking forward to hear from you!. Thanks.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hi suzanne,

I am very new to this site. I am really interested to do a BSN degree in my university. MY university is offering a fast track course of 16 months to completethe BSN if u have already have a BSC degree. Actually i m a guy and i m on an F1 visa from august2006. I got a F1 visa of 5 years for doing a Phd degree herein USA, as i have already a masters degree in agriculture field from India, my native place. But here i had to join a programme in which i have to complete first masters and then Phd. Right now i m doing masters in agriculture which i hopefully going to finish by march 2008. Actually i have talk to my international office and they told me that if i do BSN after completing masters degree then i cannot be eligible for OPT and in that case i would have only 2 months to sstay in US after completion of the BSN. Now my question is In which way should i proceed. Is there any way i can do BSN and get a job here and also file my papers too for green card etc. Bec. i would have only two months after the completion of BSN. Can i stay here just after filing my papers. Looking forward to hear from you!. Thanks.

Your advisor is correct. You will not qualify for the OPT as you will already hold a higher degree. Depends on what will happen when you graduate with the BSN. Currently there are no visas for those that graduate from US programs, or from anywhere else right now due to the retrogression. And yes, you can stay only two months in the US if there are no visas available for the Adjustment of Status. But if you continue with your studies, then your visa can remain current while waiting.

If their is the Adjustment of Status (AOS) available, then there is not an issue to get the process started before the two months are up. But be aware that you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and have those results in hand for the petition to be submitted to immigration.