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.
I just want to say thank you so much for Suzanne's responding to the questions!!! You know how frustrating it could be to study in us when English isn't our 1st language and all those possible needed applications for the new career start. oh,,, I'm new here. I'm currently taking RN associate degree and I'm going into 2nd year... and hopefully I'll graduate next Dec. and pass NCLEX. stress level sometimes gets so high.... esp. the fear of communication. :)
Anyways, thanks for being nice to answering those questions. that has helped me get some ideas!
Hello, Suzanne! Thanks for all the information that you provided here.
I am currently having F-1 status. I live upstate NY. I have been working in the hospital as a MHA for about 7 months as a part of my CPT. I have applied for my OPT, and I got it recently. I do have an employer who is willing to sponsor me (I am graduating this December with an Associate's in Nursing). My OPT time starts this December, as I requested myself, and I am willing to start as a GN right away. I interviewd for a position 2 months ago and it is available. The situation now is that the employer is trying to say that they will not be able to hire me as GN on a temporary permit till I pass my NCLEX exam, which is very disappointing to me, as if that happens, I will loose my OPT time and the opportunity to work and the experience which would help me tremendously in passing the exam. I would really appreciate if you could give me your opinion on my situation, or refer me to some source where I could find all rules and regulations regarding this matter, or maybe you just have an answer for me. Thanks in advance, Rabia.
It is the hospital's decision, they have that choice. No one can require them to hire a GN, some states actually do not permit it.
My suggestion is to get the NCLEX exam done as quickly as you can. The other issue is that if this facility will also do the petitioning for your green card, you must have passed NCLEX before they can even begin.
My own personal view on the temporary work permit, I do not like it. If you do not pass, then the facility has trained you and you have to back down to a different position until you do pass. It actually makes it easier for everyone involved that you pass NCLEX before you actually begin.
hello...it's been months since i last logged.. i just wanna acknowledge suzanne4 for all the inputs she gave me.
i'm now on an f1 visa (from b1/b2) and have recently applied with the nursing program of the school i attend. i have only microbiology and anatomy and physiology to do next spring then i'm off to clinicals. by fall 2006, i will start with the nursing proper which will run for 4 terms and 1 summer. i have a a few questions:
1. when is the best time to apply for opt so i will secure it before soon as i graduate by May 2008?
2. is it advisable to use opt while in school or better in 12 consecutive months after graduation?
3. does the uscis determine the start date of opt or i request the start date on the document? i wish to have a june 2008 start date so there is seamless transition with the facility i plan to join.
4. is it advisable that i do my opt with a facility that can sponsor/petition for my green card? is it okay to mention this matter when seeking employment after graduation (on opt status)?
5. what exams/screens should i worry about (in what sequence?) after i graduate?
To answer your questions. I think you should wait to apply for OPT till at least 4 months before you graduate. Also, make sure you apply by sending the documents there and not online so you do not show things as I mistakenly did.
As per working while in school, you do not need to use your OPT , you can use CPT ( Curriculum practical training)... so not mind my typo cos I am in a hurry here.
Also, as per letting your employer know, you can let some know but play it smart with others... pm me if u need more advise...
hello...it's been months since i last logged.. i just wanna acknowledge suzanne4 for all the inputs she gave me.
i'm now on an f1 visa (from b1/b2) and have recently applied with the nursing program of the school i attend. i have only microbiology and anatomy and physiology to do next spring then i'm off to clinicals. by fall 2006, i will start with the nursing proper which will run for 4 terms and 1 summer. i have a a few questions:
1. when is the best time to apply for opt so i will secure it before soon as i graduate by May 2008?
2. is it advisable to use opt while in school or better in 12 consecutive months after graduation?
3. does the uscis determine the start date of opt or i request the start date on the document? i wish to have a june 2008 start date so there is seamless transition with the facility i plan to join.
4. is it advisable that i do my opt with a facility that can sponsor/petition for my green card? is it okay to mention this matter when seeking employment after graduation (on opt status)?
5. what exams/screens should i worry about (in what sequence?) after i graduate?
To answer your questions. I think you should wait to apply for OPT till at least 4 months before you graduate. Also, make sure you apply by sending the documents there and not online so you do not show things as I mistakenly did.
As per working while in school, you do not need to use your OPT , you can use CPT ( Curriculum practical training)... so not mind my typo cos I am in a hurry here.
Also, as per letting your employer know, you can let some know but play it smart with others... pm me if u need more advise...
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hi maro! i was doing 2 things while composing my post so i felt i didn't express my concerns really well..but hey, thanks for the quick response!~
so i will be applying for opt (to uscis?) before i end my last term in school... i suppose i have to do this through the dso, right?
i've long wanted to try cpt but i read somewhere that the time i will use for this purpose will be deducted from my opt (12 months)..how true/accurate is that? also, in the school that i attend, i was made to understand that i have to register with their 3-unit internship course (and pay tuition of about $900!) inorder to find work? is this the same as cpt? and since i'm not formally in the nursing program at this time, i will be an intern as a gen. studies student (clerical work/admin work). that's no problem except that i think it's not worth my time specially so if it (cpt) will be counted against my opt?
also, i asked if i can secure an ead (work permit) instead but the dso advised against it. she says that it can take up to 4-5 months and is given only if you are considered in dire need (extreme economic reasons). she says uscis asks for many support documentation (affidavits, etc.) and there isn't any guarantee that the tedious exchange will bring favored results.
what do you think? i think i want to pursue this ead as it will only cost me usd185 (instead of usd900). i believe i'm in dire need because my funds are really all going down the drain with the tuition fees raised recently, the ridiculous cost of books and just the everday expenses of being a student. it's insane.
i'll pm you soon...i just thought posting these queries could be of help to t others, too.
CPT does not count for yout OPT time if you work 20 hours max a week.
You apply for OPT to USCIS thru your DSO... where is your school?
As per the EAD.... I will reply later. I am running out now
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hi maro! i was doing 2 things while composing my post so i felt i didn't express my concerns really well..but hey, thanks for the quick response!~
so i will be applying for opt (to uscis?) before i end my last term in school... i suppose i have to do this through the dso, right?
i've long wanted to try cpt but i read somewhere that the time i will use for this purpose will be deducted from my opt (12 months)..how true/accurate is that? also, in the school that i attend, i was made to understand that i have to register with their 3-unit internship course (and pay tuition of about $900!) inorder to find work? is this the same as cpt? and since i'm not formally in the nursing program at this time, i will be an intern as a gen. studies student (clerical work/admin work). that's no problem except that i think it's not worth my time specially so if it (cpt) will be counted against my opt?
also, i asked if i can secure an ead (work permit) instead but the dso advised against it. she says that it can take up to 4-5 months and is given only if you are considered in dire need (extreme economic reasons). she says uscis asks for many support documentation (affidavits, etc.) and there isn't any guarantee that the tedious exchange will bring favored results.
what do you think? i think i want to pursue this ead as it will only cost me usd185 (instead of usd900). i believe i'm in dire need because my funds are really all going down the drain with the tuition fees raised recently, the ridiculous cost of books and just the everday expenses of being a student. it's insane.
i'll pm you soon...i just thought posting these queries could be of help to t others, too.
hello...it's been months since i last logged.. i just wanna acknowledge suzanne4 for all the inputs she gave me.
i'm now on an f1 visa (from b1/b2) and have recently applied with the nursing program of the school i attend. i have only microbiology and anatomy and physiology to do next spring then i'm off to clinicals. by fall 2006, i will start with the nursing proper which will run for 4 terms and 1 summer. i have a a few questions:
1. when is the best time to apply for opt so i will secure it before soon as i graduate by May 2008?
2. is it advisable to use opt while in school or better in 12 consecutive months after graduation?
3. does the uscis determine the start date of opt or i request the start date on the document? i wish to have a june 2008 start date so there is seamless transition with the facility i plan to join.
4. is it advisable that i do my opt with a facility that can sponsor/petition for my green card? is it okay to mention this matter when seeking employment after graduation (on opt status)?
5. what exams/screens should i worry about (in what sequence?) after i graduate?
thanks...
The only exam that you will need to take is the NCLEX exam.
I would not worry at all about the OPT at this point. There may be some changes coming to the program. And yes, it is advisable to do the OPT with the facility that is going to hire you, just makes it easier for the both of you, but it is not a requirement.
I read your post regarding your status as an F1 from a B1. I was wondering if you would be so kind to advise me on some things. I am currently in North Carolina on a B1B2 status. I entered the US as a visitor, not as a prospective student. I have been convinced by my brother while I was here to take up nursing and so I went to apply at a school. I recently received my I-20 from the college of my choice. I am now in a dilema as to where to apply for my F-1. Initially, I planned to change my status here but after doing research, I have been made aware of the difficulties of going down that road as USCIS is very strict about people coming in as visitors and then change their status to F-1.
1. At your port-of-entry, prior to receiving your I-20, did you come in as a visitor or as a prospective student?
2. Did you change your status here in the US or did you exit and applied for your F-1 in your home country?
The only exam that you will need to take is the NCLEX exam.
I would not worry at all about the OPT at this point. There may be some changes coming to the program. And yes, it is advisable to do the OPT with the facility that is going to hire you, just makes it easier for the both of you, but it is not a requirement.
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happy new year everyone!!!
thanks, suzanne4 for your reply.
i know i'm a bit of an eager beaver asking about opt when i haven't even started with my nursing courses. =) but then i'm the kind who likes to map out plans ahead....
i'm curious about the "changes coming into the program" you mentioned. is it the opt program you refer to? will the "change" be in favor or against f1 nursing students in particular???
about exams, i hope your stickies on int'l nursing/ quickest way... would still be around by the time i finish my adn otherwise i promise i won't hesitate to shoot you "broken-record" like questions.. you wouldn't tire answering them, would you??
I read your post regarding your status as an F1 from a B1. I was wondering if you would be so kind to advise me on some things. I am currently in North Carolina on a B1B2 status. I entered the US as a visitor, not as a prospective student. I have been convinced by my brother while I was here to take up nursing and so I went to apply at a school. I recently received my I-20 from the college of my choice. I am now in a dilema as to where to apply for my F-1. Initially, I planned to change my status here but after doing research, I have been made aware of the difficulties of going down that road as USCIS is very strict about people coming in as visitors and then change their status to F-1.
1. At your port-of-entry, prior to receiving your I-20, did you come in as a visitor or as a prospective student?
2. Did you change your status here in the US or did you exit and applied for your F-1 in your home country?
Thanks
WayneTautz
hi waynetautz! i answered your pm. i think our situation is very much alike...
i'm answering your q's here though it is not to say that my experience will prove applying to shift from b1 to f1 in the us is guaranteed ok:
1. i didn't declare any intention at the port of entry. my decision came to change status came later.
i know i'm a bit of an eager beaver asking about opt when i haven't even started with my nursing courses. =) but then i'm the kind who likes to map out plans ahead....
i'm curious about the "changes coming into the program" you mentioned. is it the opt program you refer to? will the "change" be in favor or against f1 nursing students in particular???
about exams, i hope your stickies on int'l nursing/ quickest way... would still be around by the time i finish my adn otherwise i promise i won't hesitate to shoot you "broken-record" like questions.. you wouldn't tire answering them, would you??
your posts are goldmine! thanks again.
I have heard thru the grapevine that there are some changes being considered, I have no idea at this time what they may be. I would concentrate on getting thru the program, rather than even thinking about he OPT at this point. Changes are always being made to things, nothing stays stagnant in the US.
Worry about school first, that is just the first step, and you need that before going on to Step 2.
Yichen5
20 Posts
I just want to say thank you so much for Suzanne's responding to the questions!!! You know how frustrating it could be to study in us when English isn't our 1st language and all those possible needed applications for the new career start. oh,,, I'm new here. I'm currently taking RN associate degree and I'm going into 2nd year... and hopefully I'll graduate next Dec. and pass NCLEX. stress level sometimes gets so high.... esp. the fear of communication. :)
Anyways, thanks for being nice to answering those questions. that has helped me get some ideas!
Yichen :)