Legal Question in Immigration Law in New Jersey

USCIS is becoming very strict with respect to extending tourist visas. There may be other options for you as a nurse, but it is not clear when visa numbers will be available again. You should consider speaking with an immigration attorney who will be able to advise you regarding visa number availability, the process for nurses, and any other options that you might have which would allow you to remain in the US.

Please note that content of this reply does not constitute legal advice or create an Attorney/Client relationship in the absence of an agreement for legal services/retainer with my office. This is just a place to start in deciding what to ask your lawyer.

I would need more information regarding your particular case before I can comment on it properly.

However, you say that you are a TOURIST which means you have a B2 visa which means you are classified as a temporary visitor for pleasure.

In order to extend your visa you will have to tell the US immigration service how you intend to pay for your cost of living while you extend your stay in this country. I am sure when you obtained the B2 visa you were told you could not work with that visa.

I must also point out that any employer who is looking for nurses must first try to find a nurse who is a legal resident before they can offer it to anyone one else.

Yes, a lot of agencies who normally hire overseas nurses are not able to do so right now because most hospitals are cutting back on their medical staff, or shutting down.

No one can say how long the retrogression will last so you might be waiting for a long time.

Working visas are given when an employer applies for them on behalf of their employees (the visas can be a H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN, E2 visas). Note, the fact that these visas are all non-immigrant visas and are time limited for example the H-1B runs for 6 years only.

Patricia Martin-Gibbons