16. July 2007 by dmo.

In February of this year, the NCSBN designated the Philippines as one of the newest international testing center to administer the NCLEX examinations.  Many Filipinos are very happy and excited about this news as this will make it a lot more convenient for them to take the exam instead of going to a nearby country, like China (Hong Kong).  This privilege will definitely help a lot of Filipino nurses in their dream to become qualified as a nurse in the US.

Starting July 13, 2007, the International Pearson Professional Center in Manila will  begin scheduling for examination appointments. The NCSBN is pleased to announce the first administration of the NCLEX examination in Manila will be in August 23, 2007.  With this announcement, good luck to the first batch of test takers and may this prove our pride as Filipino nurses in the US.

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »

11. July 2007 by dmo.

Several of our readers are asking about the effect of the
July Visa Bulletin Update on the status of the priority dates. The Department of State was forced to retract
the first announcement due to the unprecedented use of about 60,000 employment
visa numbers even before the update took effect. The visa limit for the fiscal year 2007 has
been made available for the employment based category, and will open again in
October for the fiscal year 2008.

Since the visa numbers were allocated and made available in
July for the fiscal year 2007, it is advised that anyone who is scheduled for a
consular interview this month should go. It was confirmed that those who got an appointment interviews for this
month will have their visas available for them.

It is still not very clear as to whether the USCIS will
return the previously filed applications in response to the July Visa Bulletin
posted in June. However, there is a big
chance that once the application is received within the first week of July that
it will not be returned. Despite the
Department of State’s announcement of the July Visa Bulletin Revision, the
posted update for July made in June remained unchanged. The DOS only wants to inform the public that
however the visa priority dates are current and available, that they can no
longer authorize further applications made after July 2^nd. This is hopefully a step in resolving the
retrogression starting the fiscal year 2008.

Posted in Retrogression, Immigration, H1-B/EB-3 | No Comments »

4. July 2007 by dmo.

The U.S. State Department has withdrawn its earlier statement that is would be ending retrogression and making available 60,000 new work related visas for 2007. Many people rushed to prepare their paperwork to file for a new visa only to have the State Department take them back at the last minute without granting any additional visas. Immigration lawyers in the US are very upset and have lodged complaints with the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security over this action and the hardship it has caused for their clients. The State Department states that they will begin accepting applications on October 1st for 2008 visas, but the applications fees will be rising on July 30th so prepare to pay significantly more for a 2008 filing.

Posted in Retrogression, Immigration, H1-B/EB-3 | No Comments »