The Processing of the Immigrant Visa

If all necessary documents have been submitted as scheduled, it takes 10 months to 15 months to complete the process of sponsorship following the procedure of the INS in the U.S. In the past, nurses are sponsored on a working visa status and the time to do so takes a shorter period of time (three months to six months). However, nurses are now sponsored as immigrants or under the category EB3 (Employment Based Immigrant Visa) which is very advantageous for foreign nurses because they cannot be deported since they are already immigrants. Also, if the nurse applicant is married, he or she can bring the whole family to the U.S. and the family can work legally in the U.S.

It is advisable for the nurse applicant to maintain employment in the hospital that he or she is currently working for, for economic purposes, but most importantly to gain more hospital experience as it will be more beneficial in increasing the required employment experience.
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