Want to know what are the eligibility requirements for US Immigrant Visa for Foreign Nurse Graduates and the procedure on how to acquire one? Read on.
Eligibility Requirements
The Registered Nurse (RN) applicant must possess:
Evidence that the RN applicant has passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing but cannot obtain a license because she lacks a social security number.
OR
A full unrestricted permanent license to practice nursing in the state of intended employment. A temporary license to practice nursing in the state of intended employment is not sufficient.
PROCEDURE:
The U.S. employer files an immigrant visa petition (Form I-140), Form ETA-9089 and other supporting documents with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Once the USCIS approves the petition, the USCIS forwards the petition to the National Visa Center (NVC).
While waiting for the priority date of the visa petition to be current, the RN applicant applies for the Visa Screen Certificate with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). A Visa Screen Certificate is issued only after the RN has demonstrated that (1) her education, license and training in her country are equivalent to education, licensure and training in the U.S. and that (2) her level of competence in oral and written English are appropriate to practice professional nursing in the U.S.
A few months before the priority date of the visa petition is current, the RN applicant (or attorney) files electronically with the NVC the immigrant visa applications (DS-260) for herself and family members, if applicable and submits to the NVC the required documents such as police clearance, civil documents, recent job offer letter (or employment contract), financial information regarding employer and Visa Screen Certificate.
The NVC schedules an interview appointment for the RN (and her family members) at the US Consulate of their country of residence and instructs the RN applicant (and family members) to complete a medical examination and vaccinations at an accredited medical facility prior to the interview date.
At the scheduled date, the Consular Officer will review the submitted required documents and interviews the RN applicant (and family members). At the end of the interview, the consular officer will inform the RN applicant whether or not the application is approved.
When approved, passport of the RN (and her family members) with U.S. visa will be returned by mail in the next few days. Otherwise, the Consular Officer may inform the applicant if additional documents or administrative processing is required.