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Green cards for NURSES
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Fast-Track “Schedule A” Green Cards for Nurses
Most nurses will qualify for the streamlined “Schedule A” green card category. While most green card applicants must complete three application steps: (1) PERM Labor Certification, (2) I-140 Immigrant Petition and (3) I-485 Adjustment of Status or Consular Immigrant Visa Processing, nurses who apply under the “Schedule A” green card category are allowed to skip the PERM Labor Certification application step.
As a result, under the “Schedule A” category, a nurse must only complete a two-step application process. This is a significant advantage for nurses because it reduces the cost, complexity and processing times of the green card application process.
Nurses and Physical Therapists are the only occupations that qualify for the streamlined “Schedule A” green card category.
Nurses living in the US can apply for a standard Green Card. Nurses who wish to remain living in Canada can apply for a Commuter Green Card, which has two primary differences from standard Green Card status: (1) Commuter Green Card holders must confirm US employment every 6 months to retain status; (2) Commuter Green Card holders cannot sponsor relatives for Green Card status; and (3) Commuter Green Card holders do not accrue times towards US citizenship eligibility.
Typically, the only nurses who may not qualify for the fast-track “Schedule A” green card application are nurses working in nursing occupations that include very limited or no direct patient care responsibilities.
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PERM Labor Certification Green Cards for Nurses
Nurses who do not qualify for the fast-track “Schedule A” green card application category may alternatively apply for a green card through the PERM Labor Certification process. PERM based green card applications must be sponsored by a U.S. employer and the employer is required to conduct a good faith test of the U.S. labor market to satisfy the U.S. Department of Labor that there are no available, qualified U.S. workers to fill the position.
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