Nursing Relief Act of 2007, An Answer to Retrogression of Visas

The House of Representatives introduced bill HR 1358, otherwise known as the Nursing Relief Act of 2007, to the Congress.  The proposal may have a little chance to pass in the Congress since most of the sponsors and co-sponsors are in the minority Republican Party but let us just hope that it survives the legislation process. The bill would create a new non-immigrant "W-1" visa which could be approved by Consular officials and allowing for 50,000 visas to be issued per year. To qualify for the new visa a nurse must possess a state license and the nurse's employer must attest to a certain number of provisions similar to those of the H-1 visa. These new W-1 visas are valid for 3 years at a time and not more than 6 with the options for a 7th year extension. The nurses' spouse will be eligible for an EAD.