Nurses on Student Visa

suzanne4, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Please check out the International forum. Your biggest concern is to make sure that you get an OPT filed before you graduate.

Good luck with your schooling..............

lashauncute · Jul 4, 2005

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I'm familiar with OPT I did that after I completed my MSW, however, I am going to a lower degree now, dont know if I can get OPT again. Just tryin to link up with other foreign students. Thank you

loved · Jul 4, 2005

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I'm familiar with OPT I did that after I completed my MSW, however, I am going to a lower degree now, dont know if I can get OPT again. Just tryin to link up with other foreign students. Thank you

Hi lashauncute, I am a foreign student too. When will you finish your program?

suzanne4, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I'm familiar with OPT I did that after I completed my MSW, however, I am going to a lower degree now, dont know if I can get OPT again. Just tryin to link up with other foreign students. Thank you

OPT is only available once, if you used it already, it is no longer available to you. It has nothing to do with whether or not it is a "lower" degree. :)

lashauncute · Jul 4, 2005

I just started, with the science prereq. I am estimating that I will be finished in 3 years, around Fall 2007 or Spring 2008. What country are you from?

lashauncute · Jul 4, 2005

Didn't I read that you get OPT for each level of training. I know someone who did a bachelors, got OPT then did masters and got OPT again. There are several things written by immigration, sometimes you just have to try your luck. For example, everyone I know who is on a H1B visa is performing a job that couyld be performed by Americans. Eg. accounts, computers, teaching and social work, isnt this contradictory to what immigration says... the employer should prove that there is no American that could fill that position?

I do trust your expertise but this is something I have been tryin to get down to, at my last school the international stud. advisor had extracted something for immigration sayin you could get a second OPT if it is at a higher degree, then I sometimes hear that you cant get it twice. If the later is true, I guess I might be in a little problem post completionof nursing. Unless I am so lucky everyting comes through in the time given me to stay in the country after compleion of studies, which is 3 months or less. Do you see my concern?

loved · Jul 4, 2005

Didn't I read that you get OPT for each level of training. I know someone who did a bachelors, got OPT then did masters and got OPT again. There are several things written by immigration, sometimes you just have to try your luck. For example, everyone I know who is on a H1B visa is performing a job that couyld be performed by Americans. Eg. accounts, computers, teaching and social work, isnt this contradictory to what immigration says... the employer should prove that there is no American that could fill that position?
I do trust your expertise but this is something I have been tryin to get down to, at my last school the international stud. advisor had extracted something for immigration sayin you could get a second OPT if it is at a higher degree, then I sometimes hear that you cant get it twice. If the later is true, I guess I might be in a little problem post completionof nursing. Unless I am so lucky everyting comes through in the time given me to stay in the country after compleion of studies, which is 3 months or less. Do you see my concern?

I used six months opt for my first degree and then later I used probably another 12 months for another (yes, it had to be a higher degree). The immigration law changes so often. At least that was the case for me when I was using my opt (last year). I am not sure if it is still so today.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Didn't I read that you get OPT for each level of training. I know someone who did a bachelors, got OPT then did masters and got OPT again. There are several things written by immigration, sometimes you just have to try your luck. For example, everyone I know who is on a H1B visa is performing a job that couyld be performed by Americans. Eg. accounts, computers, teaching and social work, isnt this contradictory to what immigration says... the employer should prove that there is no American that could fill that position?
I do trust your expertise but this is something I have been tryin to get down to, at my last school the international stud. advisor had extracted something for immigration sayin you could get a second OPT if it is at a higher degree, then I sometimes hear that you cant get it twice. If the later is true, I guess I might be in a little problem post completionof nursing. Unless I am so lucky everyting comes through in the time given me to stay in the country after compleion of studies, which is 3 months or less. Do you see my concern?

You can get an adjustment of status filed immediately afterwards, which would permit you to stay in the country. You will need to wait for the EAD to be able to begin work.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 4, 2005

You cannot get an OPT if you switch for another degree in another subject. It needs to be in the same field and a continuation of what you were doing. If you went for a BS in computers, you could use it, if you went on for an M.S. in computrs, you could use it. But if you switch to nursing, or anything else, it is no longr available to you.

lashauncute · Jul 5, 2005

That is clearer, thanks. It has to be in the same subject. Got it :)