U.S. Registered Nurse License (RN)

U.S. Registered Nurse License (RN) or foreign nurses who have obtained the Foreign Nurse Certification Examination (CGFNS) certificate can apply for nurse immigration. Nurse immigration is a third-category immigration procedure that belongs to employment-based immigration (Employment-based Third Preference, EB3). Since registered nurses (RN) in the United States are a labor force that has long been lacking in American society, they are classified as Schedule A industries and can directly apply for a green card without applying for a labor card. Generally, the steps for applying for a green card vary slightly depending on the applicant's location. If the applicant is in the United States, the general application process is divided into two stages. The first stage is for the employer to submit the I140 form and related supporting documents to apply for foreign workers to reside and work in the United States. It usually takes about three to six months for approval. After the I140 is approved, it will enter the second stage. The second stage is the adjustment of status (AdjustmentOfStatus). The foreign nurse submits the I485 application form and other related documents to adjust the status and wait for the green card. Generally, when you send I485 Adjustment of Status, you can also send in the application form for work permit and apply for work permit. It usually takes about one to three months to obtain a work permit. At this time, the foreign nurse can work while waiting for the green card interview. Generally, the average waiting time from I485 submission to getting a green card is eight months. In July 2002, a new law was passed, which means that the first and second stages of immigration steps can be carried out at the same time, and I140, I485 and other related forms can be sent at the same time. As a result, the overall approval time will be shortened by six to seven months. If the applicant is not in the United States, the employer must still send the I140 form and related supporting documents to apply for foreign workers to reside and work in the United States. It will take approximately three to six months for the I140 to be approved by the USCIS. At this time, the Immigration Bureau will send the approved I140 to the National Visa Center (NVC, NationalVisaCenter) in New Hampshire. As long as the foreign nurse's country does not have many people waiting for immigrant visas and there is no delay, the National Visa Center will send a large envelope to the foreign nurse or his attorney, called Package 3. Package 3 contains various stipulated forms that need to be filled out, completed, and signed by the person concerned and his family members, and then sent to the U.S. Consulate where the person is located. After that, you just need to wait for the notification from the U.S. Consulate and go to the green card interview. Once the interview is passed, the family can enter the United States on an immigrant visa. The so-called family members of the parties include spouses and children from the last marriage under the age of 21.