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Thanks folks for everyhing so far. Have sent off the application to the agency, who in turn have submitted it to the hospital. As I have NCLEX and valid licence, the agency have advised me to complete and submit a visa screen. Does anyone know how long they usually take to be processed? Thanks again, for all the help.

I have received an application from an agency, to apply for a job in the US, under a H1-B visa. Under this visa, the agency have said: "The visa length is 4 years, the contract requirement is 2. The H1B is a dual intent visa, which means basically you may continue a pre existing green card petition or alternatively file for one 6 months after you arrive in the US." Can anyone explain a little more about the H1-B? Also, is it a good idea to do this through an agency, or try it alone? Lastly, after 6 months, who would do the application to petition for the Green Card, would it be me, the hospital, or the agency? Any advice greatly appreciated as ever.

Thank you so much for that valuable piece of information. At last something resembling good news. It kind of makes the next 6 months studying have a sense of purpose again! :loveya:

alexk,silverdragon & cariad, thank you very much, you have already answered several points for me. am i right in thinking, that the general opinion is that i should be looking at the teaching route, through colleges, rather than the hospital/rn route for gc sponsorship? either way, will retrogression still be the main stumbling block, and cause years worth of delays before being granted? is there a way to find the names of teaching colleges etc? sw florida is where we hope to locate to btw. thanks again for everything so far, there is just so much to take in to try and persue the best route. moderator note: please do not post email's on the forum for your own internet safety. thanks

Hi Peter. New here also. I'm sure there are people who will advise far better than me, so don't take my advice as gospel. Back in 2000 my husband and I went to the States through an agency, who got us Green Cards, hence how I have my NCLEX. We returned to Scotland, amongst other things because of a family illness. Long story short, we now wish to return, and our Green Cards are no longer valid (had it checked out). My NCLEX is still ok, and I managed to get the NY Nursing Board to reactivate my licence, so its ok for the next 3 years. The BIG problem seems to be a thing called Retrogression, which simply put means there are hardly any Green Cards being issued to overseas nurses, and there is a massive backlog. The way things are, I believe it could be up to a 6 year wait to get over at the moment, unless things change. Factor in that there are a lot of US RN's currently out of work, and the prospects aren't great (sorry to be a damp squid here). This seems to be the current situation from the research i've done, but as I say, there are far more knowledgable people on here to advise. Nonetheless, this is why we're trying to speed the process up a little, and why I was wondering if there are any hopes it would be quicker(or possible)to do things better from within the US?

To be honest, I'd be just as happy to get a RN position with an employer willing to sponsor me. It might semm like a waste of a Masters, but being able to settle and put down roots is is the most important thing to me.

Thanks for that. I did hope the Masters would give me a slight edge. Husband's visa however (E2) does require renewing every couple of years, and renewals are by no means a certainty. That is the main reason I would like to find an employer who would be willing to sponsor me. Obviously I would be willing to enter into a contract with them, and even meet any costs incurred myself. Does any of this sound remotely plausible?

Hi folks, new to the forum. Wondering if anyone can offer some factual advice, as i've heard several varying opinions on this (I'm aware of Retrogression, and know how long this route would take to get from the UK to the US). My husband is in the process of buying a business in the US. The visa will give me the right to seek employment on my own right. I already have my NCLEX and a valid nursing licence. I have 20 years experience in Nursing, and currently specialise in Asthma & COPD. I have my BsC(Hons) in this, and am a few months from completing my Masters (hopefully!). Question is, when I am legally in the US and entitled to seek employment, is there ANY chance an employer would be willing to sponsor me for a Green Card(?), or would it still be as unlikely as if I were trying to get sponsorship based in the UK with no working rights in the US? (Hope that last bit makes sense!)