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One of the major aspects of nurses immigrating is that under current law, RN's are no longer eligible for an H-1 (temporary work permit) visa.  To explain this, we turn to the following quote from our friends at Immigration Specialties:  

"The H-1B visa requires that the job in question REQUIRES at least the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree.  You may be saying..."But I have a Bachelor's degree."  In the U.S., a Registered Nurse is not required to have a Bachelor's degree to practice nursing.  Therefore, a normal, staff Registered Nurse position could not REQUIRE a Bachelor's degree just for the purposes of an H-1B visa.  

If the position is a specialized position, or a management position (such a Director of Nurses), which does require a Bachelor's Degree, you would most certainly qualify for an H-1B visa.

Keep in mind that Registered Nurses are included on the list of occupations known as Schedule A, Pre-certified...which refers to the Immigrant Visa (Permanent Residence), and may enter on a "Green Card" if you find an employer willing to sponsor it and wait for the process to be completed (usually one year or more).

Remember that nurses from Canada may come to work in the U.S. on the TN (Trade NAFTA) visa."

So, due to the "Schedule A" "stuff" noted above, we have developed the "land with a green card" program. 

In late February, 2000; Lola Kruse, president of Immigration Specialties, did a considerable amount of research on the immigration of foreign trained nurses.  Perhaps lazy... but I see no need to duplicate that here.  I refer you to a great deal of good information at http://www.immspec.com/RN-infores.htm.

If you are a physical, speech, or occupational therapist, we have a site Just For You. Click to go to TheraKare.

Click on the links to the above or to the left for licensing and immigration information.