how did you start petitioning process?

RGN1 · Jul 11, 2007

I telephoned the hospital I was interested in working in and they offered me an interview and subsequently a job. MY I-140 has since been filed.

You should make them fully aware that you need petitioning before applying as it's only fair to them as well as to you. If they find out later then it's likely any job offer will be withdrawn. I found that there were plenty of hospitals who were happy to employ me but only one that was geared up to sponsoring me.

One tip I have is to contact the biggest hospitals in the area that you want to work as they are more likely to know about foreign recruitment procedures & are, therefore, more likely to sponsor you if interested.

I was out there on holiday at the time so was able to have a face to face interview, which I think helped.

Be aware that quite a number of hospitals are not actively recruiting foreign nurses at this time because of the uncertainties of retrogression - ie they have no idea at present how long it will be before the nurse can start working for them.

Before you even start looking for a job make sure you have passed N-CLEX at the very least. I also had my VisaScreen completed too.

mongolianspot · Jul 12, 2007

It depends on individual hospital. For me, I made my investigation privately (that is, I went to some hospitals and asked their front desk receptionist or called some on the phone without actually revealing myself). I was praying they won't ask me anything about petitioning during the interview process and they never asked. I didn't bring it up either. I was only asked, "are you authorized to work in US" and I said yes.Shortly after I started, i went (about 2months after), I went ot their HR and enquired about it and they asked me to get an attorney and that i would be responsible for all the fees but that they would supply all the necessary document. And that was it. I got a very good immigration attorney and we started the process.

On the other hand, I have a friend who just graduated. She went for an interview and they asked her if she is authorized to work in US and she said yes that she currently has an optional training authorization to work (for international students one yr after graduation) and is looking for "who to sponsor her". Do you know they didn't call her back even though she graduated with an excellent result and the fact that the hospital was activley looking for RNs at that point.

So, for me, I won't mention that during the interview.They would think that once you get your papers, you move on to a better place and that you are not interested in working with them anyway but for who to petition for you. Just my two cents.

I was just wondering from those people who have been petitioned, how did you go about it? Is it better and appropriate if you apply for a job posting first and then if you get an interview, tell them then that you would need petitioning? Or call the facilities and ask if they petition, and if they say yes, then fill out an application for a job or will they offer you a position, and then go on from there? What would be the appropriate things to say? Thanks.

precy · Jul 12, 2007

It depends on individual hospital. For me, I made my investigation privately (that is, I went to some hospitals and asked their front desk receptionist or called some on the phone without actually revealing myself). I was praying they won't ask me anything about petitioning during the interview process and they never asked. I didn't bring it up either. I was only asked, "are you authorized to work in US" and I said yes.Shortly after I started, i went (about 2months after), I went ot their HR and enquired about it and they asked me to get an attorney and that i would be responsible for all the fees but that they would supply all the necessary document. And that was it. I got a very good immigration attorney and we started the process.
On the other hand, I have a friend who just graduated. She went for an interview and they asked her if she is authorized to work in US and she said yes that she currently has an optional training authorization to work (for international students one yr after graduation) and is looking for "who to sponsor her". Do you know they didn't call her back even though she graduated with an excellent result and the fact that the hospital was activley looking for RNs at that point.
So, for me, I won't mention that during the interview.They would think that once you get your papers, you move on to a better place and that you are not interested in working with them anyway but for who to petition for you. Just my two cents.

Quite confused here, what type of visa did you have before you were petitioned?

RGN1 · Jul 12, 2007

You should not lie to get your job because you could end up deported and being banned from coming back to the USA for 10 years.

I too don't understand just what visa you are on to be able to get the social security number etc, which you need to be able to work legally in the US.

I would not recommend trying to get into the USA anyway except the legal one - even if that means this seriously long wait we're having right now!

Please be honest with a future employer it's the right thing to do for them & for you. I was honest & I got petitioned, so can you.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 12, 2007

If you are not able to work legally in the US, and will need to be petitioned for the green card, then you really need to be honest with the facility up front. You need to tell them up front that you are using your OPT for the year.

The EAD that you get thru the OPT, meaning that you were under the F-1 status as student in the US is just that. It only gives you one year to work and that EAD cannot be renewed.

There are many that are in the US legally but do not have the EAD/OPT. You need to be honest with your employer, not all will hire someone at this time that is under the OPTonly due to the retrogression. So not a good thing to not to give complete information to them, it is the same as not doing the right thing.

Great for you that you were able to get things worked out in your favor, but this is not necessarily the case for many. And would would you have done if they told you no after you started.

want2wearscrubs · Jul 12, 2007

Thank you for your replies :) Mongolianspot, you were pretty lucky with your situation, but as for me, I'm much too paranoid to go that route :uhoh3:

mongolianspot · Jul 13, 2007

..whatever....

want2wearscrubs · Jul 13, 2007

..whatever....

I think you might've misunderstood me; I wasn't criticizing the way you were petitioned nor do I praise it. I don't know you nor all the details behind how you were able to work. I appreciate that you shared your experience as well as your friend's, since it showed both sides of the coin, so to speak. I was just saying that personally I'm not bold enough to try it your way because there's too much at stake. Immigration isn't a situation in which being found out of telling a small white lie won't affect you significantly. Being deported and being banned from this country for 10 years is not worth me fibbing. Those just don't appeal to me, thanks :)

john83, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2007

I telephoned the hospital I was interested in working in and they offered me an interview and subsequently a job. MY I-140 has since been filed.
You should make them fully aware that you need petitioning before applying as it's only fair to them as well as to you. If they find out later then it's likely any job offer will be withdrawn. I found that there were plenty of hospitals who were happy to employ me but only one that was geared up to sponsoring me.
One tip I have is to contact the biggest hospitals in the area that you want to work as they are more likely to know about foreign recruitment procedures & are, therefore, more likely to sponsor you if interested.
I was out there on holiday at the time so was able to have a face to face interview, which I think helped.
Be aware that quite a number of hospitals are not actively recruiting foreign nurses at this time because of the uncertainties of retrogression - ie they have no idea at present how long it will be before the nurse can start working for them.
Before you even start looking for a job make sure you have passed N-CLEX at the very least. I also had my VisaScreen completed too.

Hmmm with the retrogression going on, maybe if one(applicant/beneficiary) can pay for the fees involved in the processing(immigration) by himself/herself, I think they'd(employer) be willing to petition.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 15, 2007

Hmmm with the retrogression going on, maybe if one(applicant/beneficiary) can pay for the fees involved in the processing(immigration) by himself/herself, I think they'd(employer) be willing to petition.

The people that are asking above are ones that were already in the US on another visa and are speaking of the AOS process. The issue still is that there is a retrogression for the I-485 processing, so only those that have the OPT can start to work. It has been on hold since October 31 of last year.

The issue is that there are no visas available to go thru the AOS process right now, that is where the problem comes up. Whether or not they pay or the employer pays does not make any issue. The absence of visas does.

john83, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2007

Sorry for not having followed the thread carefully ma'am Suzanne...I only reacted to RGN1's post.

I simply responded because in RGN1's post(quoting RGN1's statement), it was mentioned that only one was gearded up for sponsorship/petitioning(despite the desire of many to employ RGN1).

The question there is why, no one bothered to start the process? Processing takes time, and with patience, gradually, you'll end up to be the next to be given a visa. Waiting for it to be current before starting the actual process may be counterproductive because it might not become current, but instead, moving PDs up gradually. So, by making the initiative to line up means a chance of having the visa when it's already your turn(PD) and not waiting for it to be current(which might be a very long time, if ever).

Finally, I want to highlight RGN1's post that mentioned I-140 and not I-485. If it wasn't about the money(for them to start I-140), then what was it?