To those F1 nursing students in US who will graduate in 2007 or later

suzanne4, RN · Mar 17, 2006

You will not be able to get an H1-B visa as a nurse, they just are not available. You need to take that out of the equation.

Again, do not get worried at this point, you are still talking of graduating six months or longer, after anything could start, then again, most of you also have the OPT available to you to cover another year............

There is nothing to be planned on at this point, it will be strictly up to the US Government as to what they want done.

I would not even think of doing anything at this point, it is much too far off to even think about it. Things change all of the time, just as it did with the retrogression last year.

FnuWilliam · Feb 7, 2012

Dear Mrs. suzanne4

I am a new member in this community. I am graduating from BSN Program in December 2012. I am really worried with my status after graduation. I am currently a F-1 student. I understand that OPT is available after graduation, but i heard it is very hard to find a nursing job now especially for a new grad RN (plus i am international student). I heard most hospitals are reluctant to sponsor F-1 students with all the retrogression things going on. What do you suggest for nursing F-1 Students to do at this point of time since we are not qualified for H1B visa? I really want to stay in this country and to contribute for the country. When do you think the retrogression will be over?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 7, 2012

Retrogression has been ongoing since Oct 2006 and I seriously doubt it will finish in the next few years. Unless you maintain your student status once OPT is completed, and you have to apply for it well before you graduate (6 months I believe) the likelihood on staying in the country I think will be low. Remember OPT is only for a year and retrogression is affected by place of birth and for most the minimum is a wait of 5-6 years so even if you find a employer willing to sponsor you for a greencard on EB3 you will not be able to stay whilst waiting for your PD to become current unless you maintain student status which will be expensive and restrictions will be on how you much you can work

FnuWilliam · Feb 7, 2012

Thank you for your reply. I have a few questions about the priority date. I just do not understand how the priority date works. I know it has to be current for applying EB3 immigrant visa, but if i graduate in 2012 does it make me in waiting list for 2012? or do i have to have an employer willing to sponsor me? Do i have to submit a form to the government? Is priority date same as visa screening? What about labor of certification?

Last question, after i completed my BSN and apply for OPT, if i decide to pursue another Bachelor degree in computer science, do i get another opt?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 7, 2012

PD is the date your I140 was accepted by NVC and the form has to be completed by your employer doing the sponsorship. VSC has nothing to do with PD but a form required by the government that states you meet requirements. Labour certificate is what your employer has to provide to prove that you are paid the same as other US nurses and that they have I believe advertised and can't get someone else. OPT is only valid for one degree so to get OPT again you will have to do something higher than a degree to qualify