How can I work in the USA? 7 Answers as of February 03, 2012

Once you pass the necessary exams and are sponsored by an employer for a green card and the green card is approved, then you can work. Until that time, you are not authorized to work.

*Registered Nurse Petition* In order to be able to be petitioned as RN in the United States, you first have to pass the CGFNS. However, if you can pass the NCLEX, that would be even better. Once you have passed either the CGFNS or the NCLEX, you can get petitioned by a hospital or nursing home or home hospice. It is taking a few years for the visa number to become current. Thus, the sooner you get in line by filing the petition, the sooner the visa number will become current.

A visitor cannot work. You might try to pass the test and try attending school in ther meantime, by changing status to an F-1 student and later trying to change status again to a working visa. Is your degree in nursing a Bachelor's Degree?

Need to pass the English. Need more information to determine other forms of relief. Are you presently lawfully in U.S.? A b-2 visa provides a stay permission of 6 months and not 10 years.

You should not work with a b2 visa. It is quite simply unauthorized. Your 10-year visa is only an authorization to apply for admission into the US and not a proof of admission. Your I-94 tells you how long you can stay in the US each time that you come here.

My first advice is that you should look at the I-94 card you were given when you entered the U.S. It usually grants you entry as a tourist for only 6 months at a time. You should not stay in the U.S. longer than the time granted to you. If your visa is valid for 10 years, that means that you can come and go multiple times during those 10 years, but you are not allowed to stay for longer than the time granted on your I-94. It may be difficult for you to become licensed in the U.S. to practice nursing, but if you do, then you must find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for a work visa. There are a couple of visa options for nurses, but the most likely is the H-1B. You should meet with an attorney who can explain what the process is like and what the requirements will be.

You cannot work in the United States with a B-2 visa. You must apply for a visa that allows you have employment authorization. If you work without authorization and/or overstay your authorized stay, you can become ineligible for future non-immigrant and immigrant visa. You may want to consider switching to an F-1 visa and enroll in English as a second language classes. You will not be able to work, but you can improve your English skills. However, it is is important you consult with an attorney for taking any action to discuss how it can impact future petitions.