Moving to the USA, Immigration - FAQ

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Why Catto

What is Retrogression?

Each year the USA Government meets a quota to allow Green Card applications to be approved. This quota was exceeded hence they decided to issue a temporary hold on allocating Green Cards.

On June 18, 2007 the Homeland Security Bill was passed issuing 120,000 visas to clear the backlog of the Green Card queue.

On the evening of October 23, 2007, during the debate on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 (H.R. 3043), two significant immigration-related amendments relating to nurses and physical therapists were passed by voice vote.

The primary amendment (H.AMDT. 3404) was introduced by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) to increase the domestic supply of nurses and physical therapists by recapturing approximately 61,000 unused green cards from the years 1996 and 1997. Before the Schumer- Hutchison amendment was passed, it was amended by Senator Durbin's (D-ILL) second-degree amendment (H.AMDT. 3449) which attempts to increase the number of nursing faculty and students in the United States, encourages global health care cooperation, and creates a $1,500 training fee for a recaptured green card from the underlying amendment. Some health care providers, such as those in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) will be exempt from this training fee. The Durbin amendment also requires that the healthcare worker attest that he or she has satisfied any outstanding commitment to work in his or her home country.

The Senate voted 75-19 to approve the bill.

What is the EB3 Visa?

The State Department has been bombarded with questions from everyone wanting to move to the USA. In short, the EB3 (Employment-based 3d category) visa is for anyone with a Bachelor’s degree or less who wants to go to the USA. At the moment nurses and physios have been in the EB3 category since November 1, 2006. They used to be in the EX category specifically created to benefit nurses and physios and put their cases on the expedited track due to shortage of these professionals in the USA. If the new law is passed (please see below), then nurses and physios will be moved from the EB3 category to EX category. This will be a tremendous step in bringing overseas nurses and physios to the USA.

We have an email which has been worded in a less complicated manner on the update of retrogression. We are now waiting for the bill to be approved very soon.

What is a Green Card?

A Permanent Resident Card, popularly referred to as a 'Green Card', is required as proof that the holder has permission to reside and work in the United States. A permanent resident is required to carry identification at all times, however a citizen of the United States is not.

Catto International works directly with a US based immigration attorney, to help our candidates quickly complete the Green Card process upon job offer. Job offers are made directly by the employing hospital

How Long Does the Process Take?

It takes around one year to obtain permanent resident approval. Any family members who are included on the application can slow the process down by two to three months.

The time taken to process a residence application will vary from state to state. California for example tends to take approximately one and a half years until the process is complete.

What is the Validity Period of a Green Card?

A Green Card is valid for ten years from the date of issue.

How can I Become a full US Citizen?

If you remain in the USA for five years less 90 days, you will become eligible to apply for naturalization, making you a full citizen of the United States.

A naturalized US citizen may, depending on state of residence, participate in the US political system. They are also protected when abroad through embassies and consulates, and are allowed to reside in the United States and certain territories without any immigration requirements. Citizens are also liable for jury service, and to pay tax on their worldwide income.

When you receive naturalization, any children who are under the age of 18, will automatically become US citizens.

Will my Children and Spouse be Covered Through my Green Card?

Children under the age of 21 years, at the point of exit interview, and spouses are covered by the immigration process. It is important to note that the CGFNS test is not a requirement for immigration.

Careful consideration should be taken for children above the age of 12 years as the Scottish secondary school system is very similar to the USA however the English system is not. Moving a 13 or 15 year old from an English school system to a USA school has previously proven to be exceptionally difficult due to major differences in the curriculum.

How do I Know When my Case has Been Approved?

Catto International will provide you with a link to the immigration website where you will be given a unique reference number. You can access basic updates at all times.

What is the Next Step?

Please and sign up to our Job Seekers list, using our web submission form.

1. Whether you have passed your NCLEX
2. Whether you have passed your CGFNS (Not essential)
3. Whether you have passed your IELTS (Not essential)

We will then arrange to contact you via phone for a phone interview which takes approximately 20 minutes.

If you do not have email access, you may call us on: +44 1276 500 522.

If you are calling from within the UK, you may call us on: (01276) 500 522

Equal Opportunities Policy

Catto International Limited is committed to Equal Opportunities in employment. This policy states that the treatment of employees and job applicants will be fair and that there will be no discrimination on the grounds of disability, sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, or ethnicity.

Nursing immigration USA