Immigration to the United States

Licensure Process• Apply to take the TSE/TOEFL

• Apply to take the Foreign Pharmacist graduate Equivalency Exam (FPGEE)

• Initial travel to the U.S. to take the exam

• Return travel to home country to await FPGEE results

• Apply to state Board of Pharmacy and receipt of requisite intern license and/or certificate

• Complete internship hours

• Apply and take the NAPLEX exam

• Apply and take federal and state law exams

Overview of Immigration

• Two governmental agencies involved– U.S. Department of Labor– Immigration & Naturalization Service

• Types of Visas – Temporary Work Visa = H-1B, TN– Permanent Residency or “green card”

Length of Stay in the United States

Category Length ofStay

Extension

H-1B 3 year Renewableone timefor a three-year period

TN 1 year No limit

TN Visa (Canada)

TN Visa

• TN-1 classification is given to Canadian nationals (not landed immigrants)

• Professional under Trade Nafta Agreement = Pharmacist and Pharmacist Intern

• Compete and receive passing score on FPGEE* and TSE/TOEFL (*except , MN & WA)

• Apply for state intern license/certificate• One year of employment (temporary)

TN Visa continued• Walgreens drafts offer letter to include:

position (Pharmacy Intern), job duties, rate of pay, work-site location

• Show degree, offer letter, & intern license to Free-Trade Officer (at border)

• $55.00 fee (U.S.)• Complete internship hours for state

licensure• Take NABLEX and state law exams

TN Process

• INS, through a Free Trade Officer, can issue the classification at either the US/Canada border or at a Pre-Flight Inspection at most Canadian international airports.

• For TN visas processed as described above, the TN classification may be granted on the same day.

H-1B Process

• H-1B visa: temporary work authorization in a “specialty occupation”

-a position that requires at the minimum a Bachelor’s Degree (no Rx Technician)

• 195,000 visas issued annually• Employer incurs the costs associated with the process• Issued for 3 years, renewable one time for three years

-includes any prior time working for other employers in U.S. under H-1B status

H-1B Process Continued

– Employer specific/Job Specific

-rate of pay, geographic location, job title are unique to each position

– Cannot transfer locations or assume a new position without amending petition

– H-1B petition involves 2 steps

1. Preparing and filing a Labor Condition Application (employer)

2. The H-1B petition can be filed with INS once the approved LCA has been received

Permanent Residency

• Apply to take the Foreign Pharmacist graduate Equivalency Exam (FPGEE)

• Initial travel to the U.S. to take the exam• Return travel to home country to await

FPGEE results• Apply to state Board of Pharmacy and

receipt of requisite intern license and/or certificate

Interview process

• Send resume which includes:• Full name, phone number, GSES# and email

address to:• Tony.Michienzi@Walgreens.com• Due date: Oct 4, 2004• Interviews occur on campus on Monday Oct 18 -

9am to 4pm• We will also be available Sat Oct 16 8am-

6pm and Sun Oct 17 8am-3pm at Open House @ Royal York Fairmont (19th Floor)

Your next step

www.walgreens.com/careeropportunities

Email your resume to international.pharmacist@walgreens.com