HCL

As specialists in placing healthcare professionals in to permanent positions across the globe, paramount to the service we provide our candidates is relevant and up to date information on Immigration and Visas to make your relocations as seamless as possible.

We have partnered up with Immigration Solutions who have provided us with the following information:



Schedule A  I-140 Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Petition (Green-Card) for Nurses and Physical Therapists
Occupations pre-certified as shortage occupations by the US Department of Labor

Casework is performed in two phases:

• I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker with ETA 9089 PERM Application is filed with the Department of Homeland Security/USCIS, along with the Nurse or PTs current and home country licensure, educational credentials and healthcare certification (CGFNS, NCLEX  or state licensure documentation for the nurse, and a letter signed by an authorized state physical therapy licensing official in the state of intended employment for the PT, indicating they are qualified to take the written licensing exam).
• Processing of Immigrant Visa Applications with US Embassy for Nurse/PT and dependent family members residing outside the USA.  Visa Screen Certification is required for this process.
• For qualified applicants residing in the USA, the process can be accomplished while remaining in the USA by filing the Adjustment of Status I-485 Permanent Residency Application with the I-765 Employment Authorization Application (can be filed concurrently with the I-140 Immigrant Petition if the quota is available).  VisaScreen Certification is required for this process.

NAFTA-TN Classification for Citizens of Canada and Mexico
For:  RNs, OTs, PTs, Pharmacists, Physicians (in certain circumstances), Medical Techs and Nutritionists

• Must qualify according to NAFTA minimum education and alternative requirements:  As specialists in placing healthcare professionals in to permanent positions across the globe, paramount to the service we provide our candidates is relevant and up to date information on Immigration and Visas to make your relocations as seamless as possible.
  http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/DefaultSite/index_e.aspx?DetailID=167#Ap1603.D.1
• Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 will receive TD dependent status.  Children can attend school, spouses are not accorded work authorization
• Procedure:  Canadians can present application at any port of entry.  Mexican citizens must apply at a US Consulate
• Duration of Stay:  TNs are admitted in 1-year increments and can renew indefinitely in 1-year increments.  A proposed regulation, if enacted, will change initial entries and extensions to 3 years
• Green-Card Process (Permanent Residency) is available to TNs under certain circumstances

H-1B  Visa for Specialty Occupations
For:  RN (under certain circumstances), PTs, OTs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Medical Techs and Nutritionists

This is a temporary non immigrant visa classification that is accorded to applicants in occupations that normally require a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent. 

Note:  RNs generally do not meet the requirements for H-1B classification because the minimum educational requirement for an RN in the USA is less than a bachelor’s degree.  However, certain highly specialized RN occupations may be eligible.  State licensure and VisaScreen are required at the time of case filing.

• The position must require a minimum of a 4-year bachelor’s degree
• Must have a license to practice in the state of intended employment along with Visa Screen Certification
• H-1B status is a dual intent classification which means that the visa will not be denied if the applicant wishes to pursue permanent residency (green-card status).
• There is an annual quota of 65,000 per year, with an additional 20,000 per year for advanced degree graduates of US universities.
• Petitions are filed with USCIS.
• Procedure:  Upon petition approval with USCIS, applicants outside the USA apply to the US Consulate for H-1B and H-4 visas (for spouses and children under the age of 21).
• Spouses are not authorized to work; children can attend school.
• Duration of Stay:  The maximum authorized stay in the US in H-1B status is six years.  Under certain circumstances this can be increased in 1 or 3 year increments until permanent residency is granted.
• Green-Card Process (Permanent Residency):  Is a 3-part process (except for nurses and PTs described above) that involves filing a Labor Certification application with DOL, the filing of an I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker and Adjustment of Status (I-485 application) to Permanent Resident with USCIS while you continue to work in the USA.

E-3 Visas for Specialty Occupations for Australian Citizens (the Australian version of the H-1B)
For:  RNs (under certain circumstances), OTs, PTs, Pharmacists, Physicians, Medical Techs and Nutritionists

• The position must require a minimum of a 4-year bachelor’s degree
• Must have a license to practice in the state of intended employment along with VisaScreen Certification
• Yearly quota of 10,500  that has never been reached
• Dependent family members may accompany as E3 dependents, with work authorization accorded to spouses; children may attend school
• Duration of Stay:  2-year initial entry that can be extended indefinitely in 2-year increments
• Green-Card Process (Permanent Residency):  Is available and would be the same 3-part process as outlined above for H-1B status

HCL International partners with and highly recommends Immigration Solutions, specialists in healthcare immigration, for US and international immigration matters.  For more information, please visit:  www.immigrationsolution.net