How can a foreign-educated nurse work in the US legally?
The EB-3 Visa is an excellent opportunity for nurses from around the world to secure employment in the United States. This visa, part of the employment-based third preference category, offers permanent residency for qualified nurses with job offers from U.S. hospitals. Understanding the process is essential for ensuring a smooth journey towards living and working in the U.S. permanently.
NOTE
It’s important to note that an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) visa cannot be used for employment purposes in the U.S. Individuals using ESTA for work are considered illegal immigrants. Additionally, considering the stability of your status in the U.S., the EB-3 visa is highly recommended and is a much more common option compared to work visas such as H visas.
Understanding the EB-3 Visa
The EB-3 Visa for Nurses falls under the Employment-Based (EB) visa category, specifically designed for foreign professionals. It is tailored for skilled workers, including Registered Nurses (RNs), whose roles typically require at least two years of education or training. This visa category grants permanent residency to nurses and their immediate family members, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without needing additional work permits.
Key Benefits
Permanent Residency
Grants U.S. green cards to you and your immediate family members.
Work Authorization
Allows you to work in the U.S. without needing additional work permits.
Path to Citizenship
After holding your green card for five years, you can apply for U.S. citizenship.
The whole journey
for receiving EB-3 visa
1. Schedule A and PERM
PERM is the first step where the employer proves no qualified U.S. workers are available.
2. I-140
I-140, the second step, is a petition to USCIS to classify a foreign worker as eligible.
3. DS-260
The DS-260 form is an online immigrant visa application for consular
4. Visa Interview
The final step to determine the applicant's visa eligibility.
Requirements
for EB-3 Visa
US Nursing License (NCLEX-RN)
Because you are applying for a US visa as a nurse, the US nursing license (NCLEX-RN) is a required document to receive the EB-3 visa.
To be matched with a hospital in the US using DaRi’s exceptional web services, obtaining the NCLEX-RN is also a prerequisite for submitting your resume for evaluation.
Employment (Job Offer)
As EB (Employment-Based) refers, you must have a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer U.S. that can support your visa, and the job offer must be for a Registered Nurse position. This is called “an employer sponsoring a visa.”
The ’employer’ promises to support the foreign worker’s application for permanent residency on the condition that the foreign worker commits to working at the employer’s organization (a hospital or a company) for a certain period. So there is a mandatory work period, i.e., a contract period. And because many of the employers are looking for experienced and currently working workers, you need to have at least 2 years of working experience and be presently working.
As an eligible user of DaRi, you will be matched directly with a hospital in the US, and the hospital will be the employer.
VisaScreen
The VisaScreen is a document provided by CGFNS International that demonstrates your eligibility to work in the US as a foreign-educated nurse. It is required for both permanent and temporary occupational visas under Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA).
To obtain an EB-3 visa, you must secure the VisaScreen and present it during your embassy interview.
A crucial component of the VisaScreen is the English exam score. As a foreign-educated nurse, you must prove your English proficiency by achieving passing scores on one of the approved English exams.
- Cambridge English
- TOEFL iBT
- TOEIC
- IELTS Academic
- MET
- OET
- PTE Academic
NOTE: The English exams mentioned above may differ from those required for licensure endorsement.
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