newbie questions

lawrence01 · Apr 6, 2008

Hi, I'm new to this website and all I can say is that its great and very informative! As a newbie I got a bunch of questions about my current situation. One thing that really worries me is my NCLEX. I took the exam last 2005 and if Im not mistaken its gonna expire this coming June. I alredy got an employer and my application for petition is still under progress (Nebraska). I was informed by a friend that its possible to apply a temporary license (by the way my NCLEX is for California) so I can get a SSN. Is this true? I have a family here in the Philippines and its gonna be a tough decision for me between AOS or Consular processing. I am really worried about my NCLEX getting expired and have to retake it again, so you got any suggestions? I have no available time for retakes coz Im also presently working. (I have a US tourist visa) I really appreciate if you can give me insights on this one. :)

The temporary permit you are pertaining is only good for 6 mos. (with a TOEFL req't) is only for those who have not taken the NCLEX exam yet. In fact, it automatically gets canceled once an applicant takes the NCLEX and regardless if they pass the exam or not. It also cannot be renewed or re-applied if one failed the exam. Since you already took the NCLEX, you cannot avail of it anymore.

The 3 year expiration can be renewed for an extra 1 year upon request and with proper explanation as to why. You may search on fruity's threads and posts here on how it is done.

Also, I think you are aware of retrogression. This applies to everyone and in fact, in my opinion, has more impact to those wanting to do AOS. AOS cannot be filed during retrogression; it can only be filed when the visa category w/c a nurse will be in, whether still under EB3 or on Schedule A if it will be re-instated is Current.

Things even got worse when they allowed so many people to do AOS last July and Aug. 2007 and this made the line for AOS very, very long and early estimates are pointing to at least 2-3 years at the earliest to as much as 5-6 years for USCIS to be able to give GCs to all that applied for AOS last July and Aug. 2007. The situation has even made some immigration lawyers think that doing CP is much better than doing AOS in the near future.

Your situation might have been different if you have filed for something already before the July Visa Bulletin fiasco happened. It will still be a long process, even if you did but at least you are ahead to everyone else who have not filed anything at all up to now.

There are more threads and posts in the forums if you want to know more about retrogression.

anniemae · Apr 6, 2008

The temporary permit you are pertaining is only good for 6 mos. (with a TOEFL req't) is only for those who have not taken the NCLEX exam yet. In fact, it automatically gets canceled once an applicant takes the NCLEX and regardless if they pass the exam or not. It also cannot be renewed or re-applied if one failed the exam. Since you already took the NCLEX, you cannot avail of it anymore.
The 3 year expiration can be renewed for an extra 1 year upon request and with proper explanation as to why. You may search on fruity's threads and posts here on how it is done.
Also, I think you are aware of retrogression. This applies to everyone and in fact, in my opinion, has more impact to those wanting to do AOS. AOS cannot be filed during retrogression; it can only be filed when the visa category w/c a nurse will be in, whether still under EB3 or on Schedule A if it will be re-instated is Current.
Things even got worse when they allowed so many people to do AOS last July and Aug. 2007 and this made the line for AOS very, very long and early estimates are pointing to at least 2-3 years at the earliest to as much as 5-6 years for USCIS to be able to give GCs to all that applied for AOS last July and Aug. 2007. The situation has even made some immigration lawyers think that doing CP is much better than doing AOS in the near future.
Your situation might have been different if you have filed for something already before the July Visa Bulletin fiasco happened. It will still be a long process, even if you did but at least you are ahead to everyone else who have not filed anything at all up to now.
There are more threads and posts in the forums if you want to know more about retrogression.

Thanks for the really quick reply!... Now my doubts about that temporary license thing is solved. Thank you also for the suggestion between AOS or CP.. that made it a lot easier for me to think things more clearly.

My application was filed last September 2007, and Im aware of the retrogression right now which Im expecting will be a long wait.

So the NCLEX has a 3 year expiration now? I thought from the start is only 2 years that's why Im in a state of panic! Again thank you so much for the suggestions. :bow:

lawrence01 · Apr 6, 2008

No. NCLEX has no expiration. 3 years is the time CA BRN gives you to furnish the US SSN req't and says so on the letter you got from them when you passed the NCLEX.