msrclim

Just make sure that the name you submit to the BON is the same one that is on your legal documents, especially the one that you will be using for ID for the NCLEX. When you take the NCLEX, they will check the first and last names on your ATT and will match it with your ID. If they don't match exactly, they may refuse to let you take the test. This almost happened to me because I had 3 first names on my passport while the ATT only listed my first 2 names. Thankfully, after calling the proper person/office, they allowed me to take the test. Even if the BON application has only enough space for one first name, I suggest that you include all your first names when you submit your application.

Thanks a lot jakey!

Hi everyone! Does anyone know the website/link at the Manila US embassy where we can check the visa appointment schedules? I remember accessing this link before (you type in your MNL number) but I can't find it now. Would appreaciste anyone's help. Thanks!

The I-140 and I-485, (assuming you meant I-485 instead of I-148) can only be applied together if the visa category for nurses is current and not in retrogression. A nurse cannot apply for adjustment of status (I-485) if the category is in retrogression. If the category retrogresses (visas run out) by this Oct 2006 as commonly expected, then nurses can no longer go to the US and do adjustment of status. They have to do consular process instead with the accompanying delays.

You might try applying to the small hospitals in or near your area. The big hospitals may be difficult to enter because of the age requirement. The problem is that many employers in the US require you to have some work experience in a big hospital, frequently specifying the number of beds the hospital should have. However, there are other employers that are not so exacting in their requirements. If your aim to to work in the US eventually, gain any work experience that you can obtain, even volunteer work is acceptable to some US employers. Don't give up. Good luck!

Category A is the group of workers who do not need labor certification before the work-based immigrant petition can be filed. These workers belong to occupations that are deemed to be in shortage in the US. Nurses and physical therapists belong to category A. The I-485 is the petition for adjustment of status. It is filed together with the I-140 if you are in the US already. However, it cannot be filed if the category A is not current at the time of filing. Even if you get a 6 month stay in the US, you can only file for AOS if the category A is still current, that is, there are still visas available for nurses.

If you were to go to the US today, July 23, and presuming that you have an employer willing to hire you, then the earliest time they can file your I-140 will be 90 days after, about Oct. 23. You can only do adjustment of status and file the I-485 concurrently with the I-140 if the schedule A is current at that time. It is expected that the schedule A category will no longer be current by October. So unless schedule A remains current past October, you will not be able to do the adjustment of status route and will have to do consular processing and wait for your visa in Manila. You can still take the NCLEX in the US if you wish. Just be aware that if the schedule A retrogresses before your can file the I-140, then you cannot do adjustment of status and will have to return to Manila when your allowed stay is over. The EAD is the work permit. The I-40 and I-485 (AOS) are submitted first (90 days after arriving in the US), then the EAD is issued about 2 months after the I-140/I485. I hope this helps.

It would really be best to apply to a state that will issue you a license without an SSN. Arizona issues a license after passing the NCLEX and after submission of the fingerprint card even without a SSN. I don't know which other states also does this. Hope this helps.

I applied and sent a completed application form to the Arizona State Board of Nursing. At about the same time, I applied for the CES with the CGFNS, indicating Arizona as one of the recipients. The Arizona state board sent me back the fingerprint card and the affidavit regarding why I do not have a SSN (about 2 weeks after application was received). I sent these back to them promptly. The CES report was issued about 4 weeks after CGFNS received all the required documents. The CES report was sent electronically to the Az board, and they issued my ATT within 2 weeks of receiving the CES report.So, it took only about 2 months from the time I applied and paid the fees with the Az state board until I received my ATT. I also had my IELTS result sent to Az board. I received my Az license within 3 days of taking and passing the NCLEX test. Hope this helps.

Is there any other state that has a ruling limiting the patient to nurse ratio at 5:1 like CA?

I was told by a friend who works in California that in that state there is a law/ordinance that limits the nurse to patient to ratio to 5:1. Do you know if any other dtates have a similar ruling?

Arizona is part of the compact states which includes about 20 or so states that have made agreements with each other to make it easier to endorse nursing licenses between them. However, I don't know how easy it is to do. What you need to do is to check out the nursing board website of the state that you are interested in working in and look at their requirements for nurses holding licenses from a compact state, if applicable, or from a non-compact state. I found the AZ state board very straightforward and prompt in their handling of my case. The most critical part is for you to apply and send all the documents needed for the Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Report because this is the one that takes the most time. Access the cfgns website for this service. Hope this helps.

Can the agency ( with whom I signed a contract with) file the I-140 petition on my behalf without any of the documents necessary (like my birth certificate, nursing education records and the like)? Is it necessary for me to sign any document in the I-140 packet before it can be filed?

Hi Suzanne. Couldn't find the legal aid website that you mentioned. Can you post it again? Thanks. Rita

All the reports in this thread have made me apprehensive. I signed a contract with a California based agency. There is no specific amount in the cancellation clause but the contract stipulates that I will reimburse then for any fees they may have incurred in sponsoring me or in helping me get licensure, etc. At the moment, only the contract has been signed and they have not paid for any fees. I have not sent any documents for the filing of the I-140. The CEO of the company, which specializes in nurse recruitment, has been generally upfront in his dealings with me so far. However, all the horror stories recounted here makes me wonder if I should cancel the contract at the outset and just try to find a hospital that will directly hire me. Also, the contract I signed was very general and did not specify the place and the salary that I will be receiving. Can I still cancel the contract at this point? Or can I ask the CEO to make a new contract for me? Please help.

The USCIS published processing dates is confusing me. I understand that they are not entirely reliable. However, if you compare the different service centers, it appears that filing in Texas would mean that the I-140 may be approved 5-6 months earlier than if the I-140 was filed in California. I already have an employer from California willing to sponsor my petition. I wonder if it would be better to try to find an employer in Texas instead. I don't mind working in either state. The downside is that the filing of the I-140 will be delayed. Can anyone advise me?

Did you mean 4 months from the filing of the I-140 at the Texas Service center to the time you received your visa in your home country? If that is so, then that is the fastest that I have heard of. Most people, nurses and agents, are telling me that it will take at least 12 months, probably longer, to get the green card. Suzanne, would like to hear your thoughts about this. Will filing with the Texas Service Center at this time considerably shorten the process versus filing in California or Vermont?

I agree completely. There are other states that do not require the CGFNS in order to take the NCLEX and that will also issue a license even without a social security number. I took the NCEX for Arizona and was issued a license within 2 days of passing the NCLEX.

Hi! Just wanted to share with you my experience with licensure. I applied to take the NCLEX with the Arizona State Board (CGFNS test not needed). The only delay was they needed a credentials evaluation service report (CES) from CGFNS. To get the CES report, I had to make arrangements for all my transcripts and local license to be sent to CGFNS. It took about 2 months for CGFNS to issue the report and send it to AZN. Took AZN about 10 days to give me the permit to take the NCLEX. I took the NCLEX shortly thereafter and the AZN state board sent my nursing license by mail to me within 2 days of taking the test. They issued the license even if I have no SSN. I only had to sign an affidavit (sent by AZN board) as to why I had no SSN (i.e., not a US citizen or permanent resident). :wink2:

Hi Suzanne, Yes, I have completed all the requirements. CGFNS has received all the necessary documents and I am just waiting for them to issue the Visa Screen certificate. So, do you think its a good idea to go ahead and file with my California employer rather than looking for another employer in another jurisdiction where processing times are currently faster? The downside is that there will be a delay in the filing. Also, if I expect the visa screen certificate to be issued in the next 2 weeks, is it a good idea to delay filing until the Visa Screen can be included in the application? I would appreciate any advice on this matter. Thanks, Rita

By the way, does anyone know why the processing times in the service centers are so different and why should it speed up suddenly in one center then slow down later? I understand from past posted messages that the california Service center had one of the fastest processing times but it now appears that they lag behind all the others. Rita

Thanks for the advice Margo. My employer is an agency in California. So far, they have been upfront in their dealings with me and don't give unrealistic expectations like getting the visa in 6 months. In fact, they are saying that it may take 12-18 months before I get my visa. I know that there are horror stories with other agencies. I just hope that I don't have any of those problems. Thanks again, Rita

I am the nurse who posted the previous message. I also wanted to ask, if after I get my visa, I decide to terminate my contract with the agency, does that mean that the only amount I have to pay them will be the lawyers fees and the consular process fees (which amounts to about $8000 for a family of four)? Rita

I have a contract with an agency in California. There is no set amount for the cancellation clause. However, it states that I will agree to reimburse the agency for any and all expenses they incurred in hiring me. At present, only the contract has been signed and they have not spent any money on my behalf. At most, they will only be spending for the lawyers and consular process fees. I have a copy of how much this will cost and how much they are paying the lawyers. At this point, can I still cancel the contract without paying any major amount based on the cancellation clause? How do you cancel a contract if you want to cancel it? Rita

Hi! I already have an employer from California willing to sponsor my I-140 petition. However, I am worried that the processing time of the California Service Center is longer than the other centers. I wonder if it would be a good idea to try to find a sponsor in another jurisdiction, for example Texas, so that the I-140 can be filed in Texas instead. I am worried that the 50k visas will be used up before my papers are approved. Can anyone advise me? Rita