VisaScreen timeline for Canadian F1 nursing student

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I am a Canadian citizen, finished all my prereqs. Starting nursing shcool ( BSN) this fall on F1 visa. Graduate in 2007. I plan to work in the US upon graduation(hope).

I am soooooooooo confused about the VisaScreen, OPT, etc.

1.

Can I work as a nurse tech next summer, after completing my 1st year on nursing school. If yes,when is the earliest I should apply for OPT?

2. Since I will be taking the NCLEX thru my school in May or June 2007, when should I apply for the VisaScreen? Should I apply for it now? When should I apply for it? Does it have an expiration date?

3. If I use OPT to work next summer, what happens when I graduate? OPT, NCLEX, VisaScreen.

Since everything seems to take many months, can someone pls, give me a timeline or guideline on when I should do what, so I can start work within a reasonable time after graduation and passing the NCLEX?

Can I work on OPT while I wait for the other stuff? Is this a reasonable option? if I sound confused, I am.

help!

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I am a Canadian citizen, finished all my prereqs. Starting nursing shcool ( BSN) this fall on F1 visa. Graduate in 2007. I plan to work in the US upon graduation(hope).

I am soooooooooo confused about the VisaScreen, OPT, etc.

1.

Can I work as a nurse tech next summer, after completing my 1st year on nursing school. If yes,when is the earliest I should apply for OPT?

2. Since I will be taking the NCLEX thru my school in May or June 2007, when should I apply for the VisaScreen? Should I apply for it now? When should I apply for it? Does it have an expiration date?

3. If I use OPT to work next summer, what happens when I graduate? OPT, NCLEX, VisaScreen.

Since everything seems to take many months, can someone pls, give me a timeline or guideline on when I should do what, so I can start work within a reasonable time after graduation and passing the NCLEX?

Can I work on OPT while I wait for the other stuff? Is this a reasonable option? if I sound confused, I am.

help!

OPT is only good after you graduate from your program. It cannot be used before. You must get special approval from immigration to be able to work after your first year of schooling.

I would not worry about anything else having to do with immigration at this point, there is nothing to be submitted until after you have a final set of transcripts.

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If you are a Canadian passport holder, you are able to work in the US with a TN Visa under the NAFTA Treaty Agreement. You do not need to have a green card in hand for that.

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Tks Suzanne. I am aware of my options with TN. But don't I still have to apply for the VisaScreen? The missing link I need to know is when is the earliest I should apply for the VisasScreen since I am starting Nursing school in the US ,this fall? Should I apply for the VisaScreen now and have that application in early and once I write and hopefully pass the NCLEX in May 2007, send my NCLEX pass to them so they can complete the VisaScreen?

I heard or read somewhere that you can apply for the VisaScreen before you write the NCLEX. My question is how early do you recommend I do that, so I am not playing the waiting game for too long.

Tks..

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You should not apply for Visa Screen until you have a completed set of transcripts as there is absolutely nothing that can be done until that time.

If you submit now, what are they going to verify? Their job is to verify licensure in your home country, or another if you have it, and your nursing school credentials.

Wait until you have your final transcripts in hand. :)

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