| Starting or expanding your temporary medical | | | | the U.S... under NAFTA. |
| staffing agency to recruit foreign nursesremains | | | | To qualify for TN Status |
| one of the most lucrative and highly sought after | | | | * Be a nurse |
| endeavors. Recruiting foreignnurses can be | | | | * Be licensed in the state you will work in the U.S |
| profitable, yet the barrier to entry remains high. | | | | * Proof of original country citizenship |
| The barriers remain highpartly because the costs | | | | * Pay small fee. |
| and time are your biggest hurdles. Overcoming | | | | Make sure the following are completed before |
| these barriersresults in a profitable and sought | | | | your begin to recruit foreignnurses. |
| after service. | | | | 1. Make sure that the nurse has proof of diploma |
| Let's examine some of the key processes a | | | | from originating country. |
| medical staffing agency needs to obtain torecruit | | | | 2. Make sure Nurse has a license from originating |
| foreign nurses. | | | | country |
| H-1B VISA | | | | 3. The nurse must pass the examination given by |
| The H-1B visa allows foreign nurses to be | | | | the Commission on Graduates of |
| employed by a U.S. employer. | | | | Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). |
| The basic requirement to obtain a qualified position | | | | 4. Nurse must posses a license to practice in the |
| in the U.S by an employer are that thecandidate | | | | state of intended employment. |
| must posses the equivalent of at least a U.S. | | | | 5. If a hospital requests to immigrate an RN is |
| Bachelors Degree, as well asexperience in the field | | | | exempt from having to submit anapplication for |
| for which approval is sought. | | | | alien labor certification to the DOL or to a State |
| The time allowed to remain in the U.S.is 6 years. | | | | Employment Security |
| However, the "H" visa is specificallyexempt from | | | | Agency. |
| the presumption of immigrant intent. | | | | How does the process work? |
| * A job offer must be in place. | | | | The employer must submit an immigrant visa |
| * Make sure you file a Labor Condition Attestation | | | | petition (Form I0140) to the office of |
| with the U.S. Department of Labor | | | | theimmigration and Naturalization Service (INS). |
| * Wage survey conducted by the local state | | | | The petition must be submitted specific to |
| employment agency. | | | | thestate on intended employment. |
| * I-129H petition by INS | | | | Make sure to also include forms ETA-750A and B |
| If a nurse comes to the U.S.A on a green card | | | | from the Labor Department. The petitionmust |
| rather than an H-1B Visa, they may be ableto | | | | also include a fee. The process takes between 6 |
| stay permanently. | | | | to 8 months. |
| EB-3 | | | | The entire process can be complicated and may |
| The EB-3 is what allows a medical staffing agency | | | | seem daunting and overwhelming formany new |
| to recruit foreign nurses to the USA onpermanent | | | | medical staffing agencies. The above information |
| resident status. The process currently takes | | | | is not meant to be legal adviceto the process of |
| approximately 8 to 12 months. | | | | recruiting foreign nurses. The information allows |
| TN Status | | | | for a broader overviewof the process of |
| Allows Canadian and Mexican nurses to work in | | | | recruiting foreign nurses. |