Discover the True Cost of Obtaining a Green Card - Everything You Need to Know!

Damian Knowles
05.15.2023 16:19


Overview

This section discusses what foreign-based nurses wanting to apply for an employment-based work visa should know related to the associated costs, who will pay for what fees, and the best practices for payment agreements and know when the fees are due. 


Key Points

  • The total cost of applying for a US visa.
  • Unforeseen costs.
  • What expenses do you negotiate?


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges a fee for employment- based visa applications. The purpose of this fee is to recover the costs of processing employment-based immigrant visa applications. 


Foreign-based nurses applying for an employment-based visa should know the associated costs, agree with their employer who will pay for what fees, know the best practices for payment agreements with employers and understand when the fees are due. 


The Employer's Cost Of Hiring A Foreign Nurse

Each employer has the discretion to take into account what the associated costs and incidentals are and demonstrate exactly how supportive and understanding they are.



Calculate Your Relocation Costs

Top employers offer a relocation package which helps pay for flights, offer accommodation, and includes dedicated support for the financial and logistical planning of your international relocation. Employers which are sensitive to the support that you require should ease the burden so that you are free to focus on your work. Some even provide a welcome package and design an extended and well-structured orientation package of essentials which could include things like:


Calculate the Costs of Proving Your Eligibility

As a recruiter, I advocate for you by negotiating the payment of certain upfront costs on your behalf that may not be feasible for you to pay for you to become eligible for the work visa. Here is an example of some of the costs usually taken care of by the candidate: 


Any expenses which you cannot handle could be converted to an advance to be repaid later. Keep in mind that employers anyplace in the world simply expect workers to show up to work on day one and have little or no appreciation for the immense effort and planning it takes for you to relocate to a completely different country. 


Consider the negotiation process of your relocation costs as your first insight into the organization’s culture.


Calculate How Much You Need for a Salary Advance

To recover the significant costs associated with international recruitment, some organizations insert repayment clauses into their employment contracts. This allows them to reclaim their upfront costs like travel and accommodation expenses. 


If you leave your position within a certain period, employers may assert their right to recover costs. To maintain transparency, candidates should be fully informed of all aspects of their potential employment. Common courtesy dictates that health care employers provide the exact contract details in plain-writing, including salary changes, incentives, and any repayment policies.


Snapshot of the Application Costs

Service

Fee

Form I-539 Biometrics

$85.00

USCIS Immigrant Fee 

$220.00

Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

$700.00

English Competency Tests

$200.00

NCLEX-RN

$350.00

State Licensure Fees

$310.00

Fingerprinting

$175.00

Form I-129 Premium Processing Service

$2,500.00

Sub-total

$4540.00


As a recruiter, I advocate for you by negotiating the payment of certain upfront costs on your behalf that may not be feasible for you to pay for you to become eligible for the work visa. 


Here is an example of some of the costs usually taken care of by the candidate: 


  • N-CLEX costs, 
  • Language test payments, 
  • Passport fees, 
  • Travel visas, 
  • Airplane tickets and, 
  • Your initial hotel accommodation,
  • Petty cash for travel expenses. 


Any expenses which you cannot handle could be converted to an advance to be repaid later. Keep in mind that employers anywhere in the world simply expect workers to show up to work on day one and have little or no appreciation for the immense effort and planning it takes for you to relocate to a completely different country. 


Each employer has the discretion to take into account what the associated costs and incidentals are and demonstrate exactly how supportive and understanding they are. Consider the negotiation process of your migration costs as your first insight into the organization’s culture.


Top employers offer a relocation package which helps pay for flights, offer accommodation, and includes dedicated support for the financial and logistical planning of your international relocation. Employers which are sensitive to the support that you require should ease the burden so that you are free to focus on your work. Some even provide a welcome package and design an extended and well-structured orientation package of essentials which could include things like:


  • Groceries, 
  • Bedding, 
  • Cooking utensils,
  • Linens 
  • A prepaid debit card, 
  • A new cell phone with a pay as you go SIM card.
  • A salary advance


As a recruiter, it is my responsibility to help your new employer understand the elements that matter most to you and your family in general and on a case by case basis. Relocation costs which you are given an advance for should not be expected to be paid aggressively. Usually an 18-month salary deduction agreement should suffice. Below is a snapshot of some illustrative costs and how they may be shared between you and your prospective employer.


Final Thoughts

As a recruiter, it is my responsibility to help your new employer understand the elements that matter most to you and your family in general and on a case by case basis. Relocation costs which you are given an advance for should not be expected to be paid aggressively. Usually an 18-month salary deduction agreement should suffice. Below is a snapshot of some illustrative costs and how they may be shared between you and your prospective employer.



Employer (Petitioner Costs)

Service

Fees

Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

$700.00

Form I-129 Premium Processing Service 

$2,500.00

Fingerprinting

$175.00

State Licensure 

$310.00 

Background Check 

$45.00

Form I-539 Biometrics

$85.00

Airplane Ticket

$400.00

Airport Transportation

$40.00

Insurance

$150.00

Salary Advance

$1500.00

Relocation: Deposit and 1 Month’s Rent

$3500.00

Immigration and Legal Support

$1500

Recruitment 

$3000.00

Totals

$13,905.00



Employee (Beneficiary Costs)

Service

Fees

Medical Exams

$350.00

Vaccinations


English Competency Tests 

$200.00 

NCLEX-RN (Re-sitting)

$350.00

Translation of Foreign Documents (optional)


Totals

$900.00


To recover the significant costs associated with international recruitment, some organizations insert repayment clauses into their employment contracts. This allows them to reclaim their upfront costs like travel and accommodation expenses. 


If you leave your position within a certain period, employers may assert their right to recover costs. To maintain transparency, candidates should be fully informed of all aspects of their potential employment. Common courtesy dictates that health care employers provide the exact contract details in plain-writing, including salary changes, incentives, and any repayment policies.



Frequently Asked Questions


How much does it cost to sponsor a foreigner for US work visa?

In general, a visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 but may cost $8-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.


Can a nurse get a work visa in the US?

You will need to obtain a Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa (“Green Card”) or H-1B visa. U.S. law requires nurses to complete a screening program before they can receive an occupational visa.


How can a nurse get a US visa?

To be eligible for an EB-3 visa as a nurse, you must have two years of education from an accredited institution and have a license to work in the country where you received your education. Additionally, you need to obtain a full and unrestricted license to practice nursing in the state where you will be working.


Do hospitals sponsor h1b for nurses?

As a foreign nurse, you will need a sponsor as per H-1B visa requirements, and in the majority of cases, a hospital will usually be your sponsor.




Damian Knowles