It is no secret that the ultimate goal of most Filipino nurses is to go abroad. In fact, that is the main reason why so many people take up nursing. Some even abandon their former jobs and titles to study nursing and have the chance to go and work in another country. The problem now is the fact that Visa processing takes time. That is why people turn to alternatives such as student and tourist visas, just to get a slice of the dream.

How do these alternatives measure if compared to the real thing? Is taking the easy way out really the best way to go? Here we feature the pros and cons of each choice with the aim to help the Filipino nurses out there decide the best course for their future.

Immigrant and Working Visas

Immigrant and working visas are visas that ensure legal employment in a foreign country. With these types of visas, the individual can work in the chosen country and enjoy all the benefits that a native worker enjoys.

Student Visas

Student Visas are awarded to individuals who have plans of attending school in a foreign country. Individuals who are awarded student visas are not allowed to work as regular employees do. They are restricted to a set number of hours per month and any further than that is illegal. Student visa holders have access to the benefits that the country gives to their students.

The Faster Route

Without a doubt, student visas are the faster way to go abroad compared to other visas. With a student visa, the nurse can be out of the country in a matter of 45 days. The only glitch is the fact that they won’t be working as nurses abroad. They will be students whose sources of income will be their salary from on the job training (OJT) assignments. The OJT assignments take up 8 to 10 hours of the individuals and allow little time for moonlighting.

The Student visa expires the moment the curriculum is over. This means that the individual has to go back to his/her country. Employment is possible in the foreign country but it is rare that an employer would sponsor a person without any professional experience aside from student work.

Slow but Certain

Immigrant and working visas may take longer to process, but it is much safer and much more stable. This is the ideal and recommended way. With the immigrant and work visa, nurses can enjoy the benefits of native employees. They can also be certain that they will have prospects for future employment.

Be careful and wise in making your decisions. Make sure that you know what you are getting into when you apply for your chosen visa.