Immigration Attorney for Nurses

Nurses are always in demand in the United States. The shortage has created a need that foreign-trained nurses can fill. If you’re a foreign nurse looking to immigrate into the U.S., Kats Immigration Law can help you get a green card for nurses or a nurse visa. Hand your stressful situations to the best immigration attorneys to increase your chances for a nurse visa or nurse green card. Call today for a consultation.

Why Do Nurses Need a Green Card?

The United States is currently suffering from a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly registered nurses. Statistics show a deficit of 190,000 nurses in the U.S. To address this shortage issue, the government created a procedure for an employment-based immigration visa and a green card for nurses.

Immigration for nursing addresses the staffing shortage and brings diverse cultural competencies. If you’re a foreign registered nurse looking for job options in the U.S., however, business-related immigration may confuse you. Whether you want a temporary or permanent work solution, find an expert experienced in nurse visas to help you. Kats Immigration Law in New York City, led by Alina Kats, is a top immigration lawyer who helps you through the whole process to get you a nurse green card.

What Are the Benefits of Getting a Nurse Visa?

Obtaining a green card or a nurse visa for the USA provides you with the stability and protection that you need to build a long-term career in the United States. This stability also benefits hospitals and clinics, as they can rely on a consistent workforce. Other benefits of green card for nurses include:

• A permanent residency allows you to work without the limitations of a temporary work visa, which requires renewals and imposes restrictions.
• Professional growth. Immigration RNs can pursue advanced degrees and certificates, increasing the number of nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives.
• Settling down. Green cards allow you to establish roots, get to know the community and support a family without fear of deportation.

If you’re a foreign registered nurse looking to get a green card, you need a healthcare employer from the U.S. that will sponsor you. Your immigration lawyer makes sure you’re eligible for the job and you have a valid nursing license. The next steps for a nurse green card include:

• Apply right away for a VisaScreen® Certificate through the Commission on the Graduate of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). This certificate verifies your education, license and English language proficiency.
• Your employer offering the nurse sponsorship in the USA on your behalf files form I-140 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with your VisaScreen Certificate and the proof of your job offer.
• If your form is approved, you may get a priority place for a nurse green card.
• If you’re already in the U.S., file form I-485 to adjust your status, but if you’re out of the country, you must complete consular processing in your home country with the form DS-260 and an interview.
• You may have to undergo a medical exam and a biometrics appointment for fingerprints and a background check.

If you aren’t currently looking for a green card, there are temporary non-immigrant visa options that may lead to permanent residency. The most common visa categories for immigration RNs include:

• EB-3 visa. This is the most commonly used visa for registered nurses.
• H-1B visa. This visa is used for advanced practice nurses, as well as for specialized nursing roles.
• EB-2 visa. This nurse visa for the USA is designed for those with exceptional abilities, such as nurse practitioners.

Why Are Nurses in Demand in the U.S.?

Nurses provide a wide range of healthcare services, including administering medications, monitoring patients and managing treatment plans. Due to an aging population, nurses are very much in demand in the U.S. With policy changes like the Affordable Care Act, demand for nurses has increased at a time when many nurses are retiring. This combination has created a significant shortage.

Nurse immigration often involves different types of nurses, but the most common are immigration RNs or registered nurses. The crucial step in nurse immigration is clearing the licensure examination, which may include an NCLEX-RN exam for the U.S. Certain challenges may arise during this exam, such as the:

• Credential evaluation
• Language proficiency in English
• Licensure exam
• Nurse sponsorship in the USA
• Nurse visa processing
• Documentation verification
• Cost, which may be handled by the sponsoring employer
• Legal complexity of the process

Navigating the process for a nurse visa is difficult, especially if you’re doing it alone. You can’t be expected to keep up with the constant changes in policy and regulations regarding immigration. An experienced nurse immigration attorney helps you. While you self-petition for a green card, don’t go through the process alone. Consult with the team at Kats Immigration Law in Brooklyn or Manhattan, or book a virtual consultation.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney for Nurse Immigration?

No immigration procedure is simple. An experienced immigration lawyer walks you through the difficult system, one step at a time, to get a green card for nurses or a nurse visa for the USA. An immigration RN lawyer can assist you in many ways, including:

• Offering expertise in immigration law. Laws and policies keep changing. Your NYC attorney has experience in the complexities of immigration law for nurses to better serve you.
• Providing immigration services for you. You may have a unique immigration journey, individual goals and distinct plans. Your attorney analyzes your situation and creates an immigration plan.
• Handling legal difficulties. Your immigration lawyer understands handles every legal issue along the way, including visa eligibility or documentation concerns.
• Making sure you comply. Your visa attorney ensures that you comply with all the legal requirements, ensuring that your forms and documents are complete, meeting all the deadlines and reducing the chance of errors.
• Negotiating on your behalf. An immigration lawyer assists you with the job application process, even negotiating with HR professionals.

Securing a nurse sponsorship in the USA may be the first step towards a fulfilling career. If you’re unsure of your visa and residency options, consult with an expert. If you have immigration-related concerns that you can’t understand or if you’re already in immigration court proceedings, contact Kats Immigration Law for the best immigration services.