US citizen or stay as immigrant

Published

I am an immigrant here in US but want to go to the Philippines to take my BSN. Right now, i can file for my US citizenship now, but i am just wondering which is better -to take my BSN in the Philippines as immigrant, which means i would still be a Filipino citizen. Or file my US citizenship now and take my BSN in the Philippines as US citizen? Your response will really help me make my decision. I plan to go back to the PHilippines by June next year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Read all the posts here. If your goal is to practice nursing in the USA go to school in the USA. If you want to practice nursing in the Philippines go to school in the Philippines.

Going to school outside the USA with goal of practicing in the USA is the very long way around achieving your goal. You will be a foreign grad and face many obstacles.

Most people value the fact they are eligible for US citizenship, but if you don't desire it don't go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

I don't think they are asking where to study. I think they are asking whether to go as a PR or USC. Be aware if you leave to study for four years you will lose your permanent residency. Your plans depend on whether you plan to come back to the US. IF you do, you may want to apply for citizenship now while eligible. Be aware also that if you do become a USC, you'll have to file annual tax returns, no matter where in the world you live.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Unless you give up your Philippine passport then you may want to consider that you will have to take local boards before the state will accept your application. You will always be classed as a foreign trained nurse and have to meet that sites requirements. If just asking about citizenship then personally I would get it and as mentioned in previous post there will always be obligations that you have to meet even if living outside of the US

Up Vote Up Vote ×

WELL If ur planning to apply for US citizenship, you can still apply for dual citizenship.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

You do not apply for dual citizenship. If you take a new citizenship, you are automatically a dual citizen, where recognized by each country.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Some countries will ask you to give up your main citizenship when applying to be a citizen in another country

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Read all the posts here. If your goal is to practice nursing in the USA go to school in the USA. If you want to practice nursing in the Philippines go to school in the Philippines.

Going to school outside the USA with goal of practicing in the USA is the very long way around achieving your goal. You will be a foreign grad and face many obstacles.

Most people value the fact they are eligible for US citizenship, but if you don't desire it don't go for it.

I would like to practice here in the USA (Maybe after having my BSN from the Philippines?)..

i tried inquiring in a lot of schools -and knowing that i have 0 pre reqs done, it is so hard to get into community colleges, and so expensive to go to private schools. Plus i have also been scammed before by cheap private school.

And since i already have a BA degree from the Philippines, and i am already a LVN here, i feel like going back to the Philippines will be easier, faster (?) and cheaper for me.

What do you think?:uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't think they are asking where to study. I think they are asking whether to go as a PR or USC. Be aware if you leave to study for four years you will lose your permanent residency. Your plans depend on whether you plan to come back to the US. IF you do, you may want to apply for citizenship now while eligible. Be aware also that if you do become a USC, you'll have to file annual tax returns, no matter where in the world you live.

thanks for the reply!

I do not intend to stay there for four straight years, i believe that I can file for a student visa (once i decided which school to go to in the Philippines) which would allow me to stay in the Philippines for 2 straight years, then come back to US to apply again for the student visa --without losing my permanent residency.

I was thinking that maybe i dont have to spend four years there since i already have a BA degree from the Philippines, and i am already LVN here in US --maybe the schools in the PHilippines will credit those and let me get my BSN for lesser years(?)

But i am really wondering if i should go back to the Philippines as a permanent resident or as a US citizen? :banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Unless you give up your Philippine passport then you may want to consider that you will have to take local boards before the state will accept your application. You will always be classed as a foreign trained nurse and have to meet that sites requirements. If just asking about citizenship then personally I would get it and as mentioned in previous post there will always be obligations that you have to meet even if living outside of the US

thank u so much silverdragon!

2 scenarios:

(1)So it means that if i go back to the Philippines as a permanent resident cardholder --i will still need to take the Philippine nursing/local board exam. and like what u said, i will be classed as a foreign trained nurse and has to meet site requirement --does this mean i still need to take the CGFNS or anything like that to be eligible to come back to US for the NCLEX-RN?

(2)But if i go back to the Philippines as a US citizen, i will be treated there as a "foreign" student? But i will not be permitted to take the Philippine local boards, right? SO, can i be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN here in US without a local license?

:bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Study abroad is a reasonable reason to leave the US as a PR. However, I would speak with an immigration attorney if I were you - you may need to get a SB1 returning resident visa. The time out of country is not the only criteria whether you lose your PR - it's a matter of intent. You should continue to maintain a presence in the US - file taxes as required, keep a bank account, basically show that you intend to return to the US.

http://madrid.usembassy.gov/cons/immigrenreturning.html

If I were you, I'd think it's a no-brainer. I'd get the citizenship and then you can come and go as you please.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Unless you give up your Philippine passport then you may want to consider that you will have to take local boards before the state will accept your application. You will always be classed as a foreign trained nurse and have to meet that sites requirements. If just asking about citizenship then personally I would get it and as mentioned in previous post there will always be obligations that you have to meet even if living outside of the US

thank u so much silverdragon!

2 scenarios:

(1)So it means that if i go back to the Philippines as a permanent resident cardholder --i will still need to take the Philippine nursing/local board exam. and like what u said, i will be classed as a foreign trained nurse and has to meet site requirement --does this mean i still need to take the CGFNS or anything like that to be eligible to come back to US for the NCLEX-RN?

(2)But if i go back to the Philippines as a US citizen, i will be treated there as a "foreign" student? But i will not be permitted to take the Philippine local boards, right? SO, can i be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN here in US without a local license?

:bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion