Student Visa Petition for US Masteral Degree

suzanne4, RN · Jul 2, 2007

Sorry, but under the F-1 visa, you cannot work full-time, only maximum of 20 hours per week if you qualify for the CPT. A student visa is just that, for learning.

Do not recommend any programs like this. Who wants to come to the US and be required to leave for two years? Not a good thing at all.

Take the time to do things the correct and legal way. Any time that you try to take a shortcut, it turns and bites you on the behind. We have heard of these programs over and over again. And if you look closely, they are owned by nursing agencies.

If you want my opinion? Don't do it. Not a good thing for the nurse, only for the wallet of the agency owner. There is much that has already been written on these programs, and you will find that same advice from others on those. Just do a search.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 3, 2007

Anyone have information on this? Supposedly there are student loans to qualified people to take up Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). So that means you can go to the US with a student visa (faster processing than the regular immigrant visa route). I've read one website offering this but in a different country - and they say it takes 4 years to finish the degree, allows u to work with the school's affiliated Hospital......but u need to return and work in your country for 2 years. The reason for this thread is, a recruiter from California is coming and is looking into a tie-up with my boss (owner of a hospital) to get nurses from here to qualify for the said Masters Degree Program........Maybe one of the readers has undergone the same path, I would appreciate some enlightenment.........Thanks, Charmaine

Also would like to add that as an international student under the F1 Visa, you would not qualify for any federal or state-funded scholarship grants. Funding for your education will rest on your shoulders and tuition can get really expensive regardless of whether you attend a private or state-funded university. In the case of state-funded universities, you will not qualify for in-state or resident tuition rates since you are an international student.

With that said, there are Philippine nationals who come to the US to obtain their graduate degree. For the most part, these are individuals who have lots of money and are after the prestige of obtaining a diploma from a US educational institution. If you fall in that category, then by all means do it.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 3, 2007

But the program that you are talking about doing is not a good thing at all for you, only for the pockets of the agency that is sponsoring it.

With the retrogression still continuing and no new visas for at least three months, expect to see more programs pop up like this, and we will continue to state the same. These companies are just trying to skirt around the law, not help you.

kalayaan · Jul 3, 2007

it takes about 2 years to finish a master's degree in the US. plus you need at least 1-2 years relevant working experience related to the masters you are eyeing to qualify. plus you need at least $25,000 in cash in a reputable bank to show the embassy.

for the part that you have to return home, its when you get a scholarship that you have to leave the country for at least 2 years.

if you want to be a student here, do it on your own, if you can afford it. you dont need an agency. then you dont have to go home for 2 years.