Why it's impossible to get E3 status?

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Specializes in Cardiac; Pediatric.

Dear peers. My situation is frustrating. I hope someone knew the truth could answer my questions. I also have to warn Aussie nurses who want to work in the states do not waste your time and money to come here. E3 status is treated as H1B visa which means Impossible to get in the current market. No employer would help you with it even it's only a piece of Labor Condition Application (LCA). The fact is No, a big NO NO... I knew the job market is tough worldwide. I understand US government wants to protect it's own job market. I didn't mean to compete the job opportunities either. However, life is not always by option. I wouldn't come to US if I didn't marry a Canadian. We would move to Australia if we didn't decide to settle here a year ago.I miss my critical care job and top tier pay in Australia. I thought with E3 option, job shouldn't be a mission impossible ...

Let me tell you what happened. I have Bachelor degree and post graduate certificate in critical care. I've worked in ICU for over ten years with extensive critical care experience. Most positions I have applied are senior positions. I got most job offers with the interviews I have attended. Job offer is not a problem. It sounds good, right? but I still end up jobless because every single employer said can't file LCA for me, then full stop. No matter whatever I've mentioned. Such as E3 is a status with no cost, no annual cap, no complication, it's not a sponsorship, it's time efficient such, such... the final answer is still a No. I really don't understand why. Everyone seems quite happy to keep looking for local senior RNs while using overtime payment and temporary agency contracts to fill those positions rather than hire a qualified oversea RN. I think those doors are all closed. It's sad for me got stuck in between. Not sure about our Canadian and Mexican nurses. E3 status obviously is not treated the same as TN status although both are under treaties. There is very limited information regarding the E3 status especially in RN cases. I hope my own experience can give Aussie nurses some updated information.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Perhaps they are not hearing you and thinking that you are asking for an EB3 visa not the visa that is unique to Australian citizens. Perhaps compare to the TN visa for Canadian & Mexican citizens with professional credentials. Look for posts from ghilbert as I believe he has experience on E3

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Specializes in Cardiac; Pediatric.

Thank you for your suggestion, JustBeachyNurse! I've read through all the E3 related posts from ghilbert and from others as well. I believe his specialty is very unique and he had his E3 years ago. It seems everything has changed these few years. There is not a single person I came across has ever heard of E3 for Australian, and nobody really want to listen neither. Nurse managers are wonderful. However when it goes to the political side, nobody is willing to fill out extra paper works and take extra responsibilities. It's disconnected between the clinical needs and what policy says.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Try relating to the TN visa. They more likely heard of the TN visa. Try contacting ghillbert if you have PM access.

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Specializes in Cardiac; Pediatric.

Thanks! I will keep trying...

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Hi Melissa Q,

It's been 10 years now, and I believe things have changed, and you eventually found a job-maybe. I can relate to the painful and difficult process—I've been going through the same experience and have been on the market for six months.

Not sure if you still check back here, but I would really love to connect and hear about your journey. Also, which state are you working in now?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

R 

ucinnocore

at g m ail

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Specializes in Oncology/Haematology/Stem Cell Transplant, Med/Sur.

As Australian Nurse I did work in the USA under E-3 visa pre-Covid for 5 years (2014-2019). I did find that I had to go to the USA under ESTA to apply for jobs and explain how the E-3 visa worked.  It did take time to explain it!  You don't need a lawyer to do an E-3 its very easy but as you have mentioned Melissa Q in your post - its almost that potential employers have a closed mind as it falls in the too hard basket.  But it is the best visa in the world cost effective for everyone - it's a win, win visa! 

I agree with Just Beachy Nurse, I feel their has been a misunderstanding towards your conversations Melissa Q with potential employers - your right about the E-3 visa nobody understands it - and I think that potential employers have confused the E-3 visa for Australians only with the EB-3 - that's why you have to hold their hands and walk them through the process.

It can be done - I am proof of it. 

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Specializes in Oncology/Haematology/Stem Cell Transplant, Med/Sur.

Just another addition- yes the best way to go with a potential employer is to explain that the E-3 visa for Australian only is that it is very similar to the TN visa (Canadians & Mexicans) - the real difference is the TN visa allows you stay for 3-years and the E-3 visa allows you stay in increments of 2-years indefinitely if the need arises.

Just have patience, persistence and resilience!

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Hi, All. I tried all you mentioned, multi dimension way to explain the E3 visa but not successful. They will use all to made the reason to say that they are not offering a sponsor, even you told them this is not a formal sponsor. I was even arguing with a lawyer regarding E3 is not H1B; she spreads all the E3=H1B concepts on her client's HR.  Some ridiculous reason is, I was told that I am holding too low qualification(Master) to fullfill the job list for H1B/E3; or I am holding too high a qualification that not qualified for bedside nursing - via E3 visa

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Eventually, the lawyer was kind of apologetic. But you know all the hospitals never heard E3 and there is no communication way open for me to communicate this point. They never reply to emails or pick up phone calls, even they did, they will say return the phone calls but never return. This is too hard, even harder than entering a medical school

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TN doesn't have LCA, and they are struggle to understand what they need to do with the LCA part filling. that is the part that confused them a lot, no matter how I mentioned LCA is not USCIS, THEY are not listening, still thinking this is a petition

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brissygal said:

Just another addition- yes the best way to go with a potential employer is to explain that the E-3 visa for Australian only is that it is very similar to the TN visa (Canadians & Mexicans) - the real difference is the TN visa allows you stay for 3-years and the E-3 visa allows you stay in increments of 2-years indefinitely if the need arises.

Just have patience, persistence and resilience!

Brissygal, it is glad to see that you already back to Australia, is there any way to connect with you? I based in melbourne, thanks a lot!

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