UK Nurse needing SSN for Florida License

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Hello all - I am English and currently applying to the Florida State Board of Nursing and have just found out that I won't be issued a license unless I have a Social Security Number - but I can't get one unless I have a work permit, which I can't get without the license. It seems I'm at a total catch 22 and have no idea what to do or how to get a SSN - I would be so grateful for any advice or help - thank you all

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
You can't get a Green card without first obtaining a work visa, becoming investor or becoming sponsored by first line family member through marriage, i.e. spouse, parent.

Employers don't have the ability to produce green cards without petitioning USICS through some sort of loop holes like L-type visa, a company's employee that is overseas and is moving here, or H-1 visa through labor department, which is hard, or some kind of religious worker, etc. This is so convoluted, you are just really going to confuse this girl in UK.

Let's face it, no employer will do it unless there's a tremendous interest in a candidate such as academia, research, stuff like that. If you're it, there is chance. If not, it's tough, will take a lot of work, money, resources and no guarantees.

Besides we have plenty of U.S. candidates that don't require sponsorship. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that's the reality.

Incorrect you can get a green card without a employer and many nurses do this. EB3 is the category that nurses come under and if I hadn't have moved to Canada and loved it I would be in the US on an immigrant visa without getting a work visa

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thank you all again for your responses. I certainly have no special skills like research or unusual courses yet, but was an army medic before the nursing degree so maybe that will look good in applications.. I understand some of the different ways to obtaining a green card but I think the only one that would apply to me is getting a workplace to sponsor me.. so basically there is nothing I can do in the meantime to apply for one really.

What I am just questioning now is whether I should be looking to get licensed through another state that doesn't require SSN, and then endorse into Florida. It seems a silly way of going round the houses, but I am worried that I'll pass NCLEX and all Florida BON's verifications and then never be given a license because of this SSN. And if I pass NCLEX through Florida, then start applying to jobs and showing them a letter/proof that I nearly have a license - even if the job miraculously okays this - then won't my license application to Florida expire after 30 days and deem everything I've done irrelevant?

Ahgh this process is unbelieveable, it's so excellent talking to you experienced life coaches!!!

many states do not issue a license without a SSN and nurses do fine without a license and finding a employer willing to go the EB3 route

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

[h=1]Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3

[/h][h=3]You may be eligible for this immigrant visa preference category if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker.[/h]

  • Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature
  • Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are a member of the professions

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3 | USCIS

all that is required is the employer gets a labour certificate and offers full time employment

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Oh what brilliant news that there's ways around this all, so you mean EB3 doesn't require a license first? I will do more research on this over the weekend when I'm not working I don't want any of you to think I'm asking too many questions and being lazy! I actually spend hours daily researching all of this licensure and immigration and its gradually becoming clearer with your help.

To to cut it down, I can get a green card without a job and license? Just based on being an overseas nurse? Or get the 30 day Florida permit, and immediately fly to America and get a SSN that month? Sorry I'll properly research this Saturday.

Glad you enjoy Canada! :-)

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if only it was that easy helena...haha your gonna need a job offer a license, visa screen from CGFNS and proof of a passed NCLEX in order too apply for a green card. in your case tho you just picked the wrong state to go to @ the moment because on how strict BON Florida is. Try Georgia #1 theres a shortage here 2# they issued my license without a SSN# and by the way its not to far from Florida its the next state over:up: so moral of the story do your NCLEX in the UK if possiable and go throw BON Georgia

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

EB3 requires a employer and usually employer wants to know you have passed NCLEX. Current waiting times if born in the UK is 3 months which is one of the shortest waiting times for several years.

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The only thing I can see might be a hang up with the EB3 is the fact that it states "You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States." This could be construed as meaning if there are U.S. nurses available then they wouldn't award the visa. Your best bet is to consult with an immigration lawyer here in the U.S. who is familiar with the types of visas available to nurses from the U.K.

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Excellent about the 3 months - thanks for looking that up, however I am not in a position to apply yet, no NCLEX etc yet - I hope timescales don't drastically change in the next 6 months/year or so.. although it seems unpredictable?

Yes indeed regarding the specific talent that I have to offer instead of a lovely American nurse - I can't say that I have!!!

Maybe it really is worth me going to Georgia BON - in that case would I actually need to work in Georgia for a while before endorsing to Florida? Or just immediately try and endorse once Georgia approves? Thank you all again for taking an interest in helping me

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i am not 100% if you would be able to switch it right after Georgia approves but you should try it out and work there and see if they like it from what i have heard Georgia pays better then florida i have a friend thats going to work there and her pay is just ok not as good as mines in Georgia;):yes:

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Glad you enjoy Georgia :-) my priority is getting to USA and having a nice life in Florida really - the pay is just a bonus - and compare to England the wages even in Florida are amazing (21,000 pounds in UK starting wage) x

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Just an update for anyone following this or who is helping me, I have decided I think the way forward is to apply to Texas BON because they don't require a SSN and a helpful agent has assured me that there's more likelihood of a job/sponsor there (rather than Florida)

So Florida is on hold for a few years until I get across, get my green card and do some time in Texas (assume I will be contracted to an employer for a few years if they make the effort to sponsor me!!)

I understand that timings change with retrogression etc... I can only hope things go smoothly and Texas accepts me so that I can start looking for a job..

Thanks again everyone

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