need info on H1B working visa

suzanne4, RN · Jun 7, 2007

I moved your thread to the International Forum where you can get the correct information that you need.

First, there are currently no visas available for nurses, there is a retrogression in place. And there have not been any H1-B visas available for nurses for more than three years. Other issue is that the H1-B requires a Bachelor's degree if it were available.

The other problem is that the H1-B visas next become available in October, and there were gone within hours from when the government accepted petitions two months ago.

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These are the facts that you need to be aware of. At issue is not that you are an international student, but what type of visa that you have been on. If the H-4, then nothing that can be done. If you would have been on an F-1 visa, and were able to qualify for the OPT, then you would be able to work now. The issue that I see is that you have already graduated, and therefore cannot apply for the OPT as it must be done before you complete your program.

If you have been on a student visa, you actually have only 60 days after you graduate to remain in the US if you are not continuing on with your studies. That is the only viable option that you have currently and can then possibly get the CPT while you are in school. You need to adjust your status to be able to work now, and that has been on hold since October 31, 2006.

Not sure why your advisor at your school never informed you of this. But if you look at your visa, on your I-94, it more than likely has D/S as the date written on by immigration when you got to the US. That means date of studies ending. You have 60 days to have something in place, and since there are no visas available at this time, and we do not expect any before November at the earliest, and that is not even definite; your only option is to continue you with your studies.

Please read the other threads on this very same topic, and there is a sticky at the top of this forum for International students here in the US, and you can read more about what is going on currently.

hartfordCT · Jun 8, 2007

Thank You Suzanne for the information. I am actually in an H-4 visa at present so did not have an option to get OPT. I did try and call a lot of hospitals but as you said most of them are not sponsoring at present. I am looking into the option of going back to school also. I actually found a 2 year RN-MSN program. Still looking into it. Not sure if it is a good idea to do it online.

Thank You again