International Nurse Recruitment

The United States is facing a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly registered nurses, with a current deficit of approximately 190,000 nurses (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). As a response to this scarcity, the U.S. Department of State has streamlined the process for employment-based immigration visas for nurses, including those from the Philippines and other international locations. At the time of writing this article, the U.S. visa bulletin, which is issued once every month, shows that the immigration timeline to the USA can be roughly estimated to take 2 years for registered nurses from all countries with the exception of India and China which have much longer priority dates.

“Processing times vary. Processing times are determined entirely by the U.S. government in terms of visa priority date”, explains Ron Hoppe, President of WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions in a recent webinar covering immigration timelines to the USA.

While immigration timelines can vary for a variety of reasons, below are some of the things that you can do as an applicant to ensure that the process moves forward as quickly as possible and that there are no avoidable delays encountered along the way.

Steps to apply:

Step 1:

Pass the English and NCLEX Examinations Following the completion of a nursing degree and licensure, the subsequent stages involve passing an English examination and the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX – RN). The NCLEX stands as a standardized exam used by state nursing boards to determine an individual’s readiness for entry-level nursing practice.

Step 2:

Secure a Job Offer from a U.S. Employer Upon successful completion of the required examinations, the pivotal next move is to secure a job offer from a U.S. employer. This can be a hospital or caregiving facility. The employer will initiate the immigrant visa request on your behalf, marking a crucial stage in the process.

Step 3:

Apply for an EB-3 Visa Registered nurses fall within the third employment-based category (EB-3), designed for skilled workers whose positions necessitate a minimum of two years of training or experience. The requirements for the EB-3 visa are relatively less stringent compared to EB-1 and EB-2, making it a feasible option for many nurses seeking to work in the United States. Ron Hoppe states, “it’s really important if you want to shorten the timeline for yourself to arrive in the US that you have an immigration application started as soon as possible. Remember the concept of first-come, first-serve and the sooner you begin obviously the sooner the process will be completed.”

Step 4:

Submit Required Documents Following the job offer, you will need to submit the necessary documents online. These documents will undergo review by the U.S. Department of State. It is essential to note that this process might take several weeks.

Step 5:

Obtain a VisaScreen Certificate Another pivotal step involves obtaining a VisaScreen certificate, a mandatory requirement that verifies your nursing credentials. This certification adds to the authenticity of your qualifications.

Step 6:

Get Approval of an I-140 Visa Petition After the submission and review of all documents, the next stage is to obtain the approval of an I-140 visa petition. This signifies a significant progression in the immigration process.

Step 7:

Attend a Visa Interview and Pass Medical Examinations The final stages encompass attending a visa interview and passing medical examinations. Upon successful completion of these steps, you will be granted your visa, marking the culmination of your journey to work as a nurse in the U.S.

For more information about the immigration process, official government websites such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provide valuable resources. Enhanced Information and Resources While this guide outlines the crucial steps, there are additional aspects aspiring nurses should consider for a more comprehensive understanding. For instance, discussing various educational paths, preparing for the NCLEX, navigating employment opportunities, understanding visa procedures, acquiring further information from professional forums and associations, and staying updated with any policy changes are significant components in this journey. Embarking on the path to becoming a nurse in the U.S. is a monumental step towards achieving your dream. Every stride you take brings you closer to fulfilling your goal. Best of luck on this incredible journey!

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