January 2009 Visa Bulletin

[greenjungle]

What are your guesses about the coming January 2009 VB?

Maybe all those awesome positive optimistic thoughts and prayers can somehow alter the VB.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/21/60minutes/main4625729.shtml

Immigrant Widows Left In Limbo Once On A Path To Permanent Residency, Some Widows Of Americans Face Deportation

It seems America is getting tougher on immigrants, and sadly some have kids who are American Citizens.

I really do not see how this is at all relevant to the question of visa availability for nurses.

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

In my opinion it shows that Immigration is getting very strict and going by the letter of the law. When I viewed this on TV my skin crawled because not only did these women loose their spouse, but now the are facing deportation. After seeing this segment it seems like the US is trying to reduce immigration not extending thererfore in my estimation there will be no new visas.

[suzanne4, RN]

Well, I happen to know that some parts of california and other parts of NY are still hiring RNs.That's according to my RN friends and relatives living and working in the area. I think it depends on the state or area really. A lot of foreign nurses were already given visas the past 2 months, and their job offer still stands, which is a good sign. So to all you foreign nurses out there, please don't loose hope. Hang in there. This economic crisis is not a permanent thing. For how long it continues, nobody knows. America has been the top economy in the world for so long, it's like a cycle, what goes up, comes down also. But I am very hopeful that things will turn around very soon. Nobody knows what the next VB will be, but I hope it brings great news.

Sorry, but it does not matter what you are being told but what is actually happening right now. CA has the third highest rate of unemployment in the entire US right now, and when a facility is having lay-offs or a hiring freeze, then they most definitely cannot hire a foreign nurse and petition them as a start. Next, they need to be able to prove that they were unable to hire an American for the job and provide specific documentation for that as well before they can even submit the I-140 as that needs to be included with it.

Next issue is that one is looking at more than a 7 year wait for a chance at a visa, and probably longer, so it is going to be quite difficult for a facility to invest in a nurse that they will not see or even ever.

It is not going to be bring great news, expect it to even be worse than it is. What you do not realize is that if one gets to the point of an interview but there is no job for them at that time, then everything gets cancelled out by the US government and one needs to start over again. Just one little thing that you did not think thru.

Also what are you going to be doing about getting a car, etc. since loans are almost impossible to get as well.

The economy here is considered as bad if not worse than the great depression of the 1930s. Healthcare is also suffering as well, if one gets laid off, they do not have extra money to get things fixed or perhaps even see a physician in the first place.

If you take the time to read here, be careful for what you wish.

Next issue is that we have not seen an actual hospital in NY petition for quite sometime, and I mean that literally. Only nursing homes and then you are legally responsible for up to 60 patients per shift and have the highest chance of losing your license. If you do that, then everything gets cancelled, including the green card. So again, be very careful for what you are wishing for.

And also not sure where you are getting your information from as well, but there have not been alot of foreign nurses issued visas in the past two months with the green card. And if with the H1-B, please be very aware that the US government is investigating each and everyone to make sure that they meet the requirements of being a specialist at the very least, as a new grad that is impossible right from the beginning and they can get their visa cancelled at anytime. So again, please have your facts actually correct first and have real information that makes sense.

[suzanne4, RN]

And just to add into this, then this thread needs to get back to the topic that is being discussed and that is specifically the January Bulletin.

There are over 500,000 unemployed RNs in the Philippines now, or close to that. If you figure in that only about 2500 or so with their family members will get a green card since there are just under 10,000 per year; that means a very long time for most for even a chance.

And if one was able to get the green card recently, it means that they applied more than three years ago at that as well.

Things have changed considerably since then. Even what was happening a month ago is no longer happening.

[velocity25]

Sorry, but it does not matter what you are being told but what is actually happening right now. CA has the third highest rate of unemployment in the entire US right now, and when a facility is having lay-offs or a hiring freeze, then they most definitely cannot hire a foreign nurse and petition them as a start. Next, they need to be able to prove that they were unable to hire an American for the job and provide specific documentation for that as well before they can even submit the I-140 as that needs to be included with it.

Next issue is that one is looking at more than a 7 year wait for a chance at a visa, and probably longer, so it is going to be quite difficult for a facility to invest in a nurse that they will not see or even ever.

It is not going to be bring great news, expect it to even be worse than it is. What you do not realize is that if one gets to the point of an interview but there is no job for them at that time, then everything gets cancelled out by the US government and one needs to start over again. Just one little thing that you did not think thru.

Also what are you going to be doing about getting a car, etc. since loans are almost impossible to get as well.

The economy here is considered as bad if not worse than the great depression of the 1930s. Healthcare is also suffering as well, if one gets laid off, they do not have extra money to get things fixed or perhaps even see a physician in the first place.

If you take the time to read here, be careful for what you wish.

Next issue is that we have not seen an actual hospital in NY petition for quite sometime, and I mean that literally. Only nursing homes and then you are legally responsible for up to 60 patients per shift and have the highest chance of losing your license. If you do that, then everything gets cancelled, including the green card. So again, be very careful for what you are wishing for.

And also not sure where you are getting your information from as well, but there have not been alot of foreign nurses issued visas in the past two months with the green card. And if with the H1-B, please be very aware that the US government is investigating each and everyone to make sure that they meet the requirements of being a specialist at the very least, as a new grad that is impossible right from the beginning and they can get their visa cancelled at anytime. So again, please have your facts actually correct first and have real information that makes sense.

I'm not at all surprised by your response. You have been singing the same tune and saying the same things over and over. I don't have to explain my sources as they came from nurses also working in America. Again, it depends on the state, and maybe your area has been having lay offs, but it is not true in some other parts. You are not the only nurse in America who can give us ideas and views on what's happening. We also consider what others have to say on what's going on. And quite frankly, I'll take their opinion over yours because I know them personally.

Also, nurses were given their visas for the past couple of months simply because their PD was already current. I have friends who were interviewed and got their visas, that's all I'm saying.

[PhillyRN82]

I'm not at all surprised by your response. You have been singing the same tune and saying the same things over and over. I don't have to explain my sources as they came from nurses also working in America. Again, it depends on the state, and maybe your area has been having lay offs, but it is not true in some other parts. You are not the only nurse in America who can give us ideas and views on what's happening. We also consider what others have to say on what's going on. And quite frankly, I'll take their opinion over yours because I know them personally.

Also, nurses were given their visas for the past couple of months simply because their PD was already current. I have friends who were interviewed and got their visas, that's all I'm saying.

I am sorry but I believe if Suzzane is singing same tune over and over again as what you claim, then it's all because she wants everyone to open their eyes on the present crisis that US is facing, more so to those until this very moment, remains blind or just playing blind of their slim chances of getting over here in USA. Everything is tightened up and getting a visa at this time is hard enough as majority of the employers have decided to cancel job offers. Even if youve waited for years or so, once offer is cancelled, then everything will be on a garbage bin, and you have to start from zero again.

Suzzane is singing well. She has the right tune for those who believes in realitic goals. What she've been stating in this thread are plainly events that are real.

Anyhow, January Visa Bulletin...May show nothing wonderful. And if there is, still futile as job offers are getting cancelled, and expect it to be worse in the coming months.

[velocity25]

I am sorry but I believe if Suzzane is singing same tune over and over again as what you claim, then it's all because she wants everyone to open their eyes on the present crisis that US is facing, more so to those until this very moment, remains blind or just playing blind of their slim chances of getting over here in USA. Everything is tightened up and getting a visa at this time is hard enough as majority of the employers have decided to cancel job offers. Even if youve waited for years or so, once offer is cancelled, then everything will be on a garbage bin, and you have to start from zero again.

Suzzane is singing well. She has the right tune for those who believes in realitic goals. What she've been stating in this thread are plainly events that are real.

Anyhow, January Visa Bulletin...May show nothing wonderful. And if there is, still futile as job offers are getting cancelled, and expect it to be worse in the coming months.

Well I'm sorry but I will be sticking to what I said before.

Everybody has their own opinion about this matter. You stick to yours and I'll stick to mine. It's as simple as that.

[kempo]

I am sorry but I believe if Suzzane is singing same tune over and over again as what you claim, then it's all because she wants everyone to open their eyes on the present crisis that US is facing, more so to those until this very moment, remains blind or just playing blind of their slim chances of getting over here in USA. Everything is tightened up and getting a visa at this time is hard enough as majority of the employers have decided to cancel job offers. Even if youve waited for years or so, once offer is cancelled, then everything will be on a garbage bin, and you have to start from zero again.

Suzzane is singing well. She has the right tune for those who believes in realitic goals. What she've been stating in this thread are plainly events that are real.

Anyhow, January Visa Bulletin...May show nothing wonderful. And if there is, still futile as job offers are getting cancelled, and expect it to be worse in the coming months.

Yeah,you and suzanne are singing the same tune perhaps because you are suzanne.....I dont know how many names suzanne used in this forum!!!!

[PhillyRN82]

Yeah,you and suzanne are singing the same tune perhaps because you are suzanne.....I dont know how many names suzanne used in this forum!!!!

I am sorry to disappoint you but I am not Suzzane and never will be a time that I would try to portray as Suzzane. No need for me to be Suzzane just to get aware of what's happening around all this time and for God sake.

I know I may be as bad as any Filipino turned American out here. But posts I made purposively to serve as a wake up call for my kababayans. Seemingly bad, but I know someday you'll be thankful for all the realities posted here.

America is sinking like the great titanic tragedy or even worse as it seems to be. It's no longer a wonderland, a whole new world shinning shimmering splendid as you may always dream of. I know how eager filipino nurses to be in USA. I was once like you guys. But hey, things had changed significantly over the years.

Search for nursing opportunities somewhere else apart from USA. You may discover your american dream in another country instead.

Godbless filipinos, Godbless the mankind.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Yeah,you and suzanne are singing the same tune perhaps because you are suzanne.....I dont know how many names suzanne used in this forum!!!!

Not sure why you think that. I too get confused with Suzanne and I promise you I am several thousand miles from Suzanne and she spends enough time on here without the need to have duplicate accounts which is actually against terms of service on this website.

All we are doing is making sure that members who are waiting for the US and other countries are aware on what is happening. Even on the Canadian news there are big discussions on what is happening financially in the US so it is happening. We have had members already in the US waiting for GC who was lucky to file AOS when they was able to find it hard to get a mortgage. The US has to look after it's own people first and when jobs are being laid off and we are seeing posts that this includes foreign nurses then they have to get the jobs first. If you are aware that it may take several years and prepared to wait then they can plan doing something in the meantime and gain experience. Employers can back out and some do (it happened to me a couple years ago and I had to start from scratch) then if you have no experiene you will find it hard to find another petitioner. We are seeing less and less employers petitioning foreign nurses due to the long wait. All we are saying is open your eyes and have a realistic idea on what is happening.

[Aelith]

Although I know that most of the time Ms. Suzanne's post is a bit one-sided and would be perceived negatively, we also have to accept that she is also giving an honest opinion of how it is in the US now. While it is good to hope, it is also important to be realistic. Think of it as a constant reminder for everyone - that it is not really as easy as before. Things have changed so much and that the downsides outweighs the good. There are just too many risks and problems.

This is not to say though that it is impossible to get to USA, because it is still possible. I think what they are trying to tell the others is, when the time comes that you finally get your visa and come to the USA and work, there are still so many problems that you should consider - one of which is job security. If the older, more experienced ones in the US are already getting laid off, the possibility of a new comer to be laid off after a short time is highly possible. It would be difficult for one to survive in the US without a job. Think about how one is going to pay the rent, food, transportation. Coming and finally stepping in America is just the tip of the iceberg. Having a stable life and job there is the real deal.

Instead of maybe taking others' opinions negatively, take it constructively. It will help you a lot in your future decisions - more importantly on making a contingency plan should the situation become worse. It is important to keep an open mind about these things. Things may change tomorrow or the day after; we can never be too sure what will happen.

Expect the worst but hope for the best.

Good luck!

[suzanne4, RN]

I'm not at all surprised by your response. You have been singing the same tune and saying the same things over and over. I don't have to explain my sources as they came from nurses also working in America. Again, it depends on the state, and maybe your area has been having lay offs, but it is not true in some other parts. You are not the only nurse in America who can give us ideas and views on what's happening. We also consider what others have to say on what's going on. And quite frankly, I'll take their opinion over yours because I know them personally.

Also, nurses were given their visas for the past couple of months simply because their PD was already current. I have friends who were interviewed and got their visas, that's all I'm saying.

And they have been waiting for more than three years, that is the point that I am trying to make.

The issue is that things have changed considerably here in the past eight weeks and all across the US for that matter. It is up to you to listen to what we are saying, if you do not like it; then you are free to come someplace else.

We are being honest with what is happening in the US at this time and what is expected to be happening. Also, guess that you are not taking into account the number of graduates there now without a job, number of visas has not increased and will not increase from each country; so that means that the wait is going to be longer, and just a chance at best.

And there were not that many that have gotten visas in the past month of two, slim numbers at best; with a PD date of three years ago, things were much better back then and they should never have had to wait this long.

But again, you are speaking of those that got hired and made it thru the immigration process in its entirety; from that point on your ideas head very south. The issue is that the US is government is not doing anything past the I-140, stops cold at that point. There are many that got submitted two years ago, that have not moved past that point.

And since you know so much about CA, what about it being the 3rd highest in rankings in unemployment now and expected to get worse. It is one thing for a hospital to say something to someone, it is something else again when they need to provide actual legal documents to the US government that they were unable to hire an American for that job. Same thing with the East Coast as well. Next is the issue of having to wait probably close to seven years plus if someone is just starting the process for immigration.

But remember that I do not know anything at all here.