The VisaScreen® program is comprised of an educational analysis, licensure validation, English language proficiency assessment, and, in the case of nurses, an exam of nursing knowledge.
Full Answer
What is the VisaScreen® program?
The VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Service requires specific health care professionals to complete a screening program before they can receive either a permanent or temporary occupational visa, including Trade NAFTA status. The screening program includes:
What is the visa credentials assessment service?
The Visa Credentials Assessment Service (VisaScreen) is a comprehensive screening service for healthcare professionals.
How do I apply for the VisaScreen® service?
There are three types of applications for the VisaScreen® service: theapplication for the standard service, an application to reprocess an expired order, and the application to renew an expired VisaScreen® certificate. For each of these options, there are two ways to apply: Create a CGFNS Connect account and apply online.
What does the VisaScreen ® report verify?
The VisaScreen ® Report verifies the validity of all licenses, registrations, and diplomas, including: Licenses, registrations, and diplomas that are currently held or that have been held in the past by the applicant from all jurisdictions, including foreign and domestic.
Who needs a visa screen?
You Do Require a Healthcare Visa Screen Certificate If: You are one of the healthcare professionals listed above, coming to the U.S. as a PRINCIPAL on any nonimmigrant visa BUT NOT to receive training as an H-3 nonimmigrant, F-1 foreign student or J-1 exchange visitor.
What does visa Screen certified mean?
VisaScreen® a program offered by ICHP, enables healthcare professionals to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure compliance with the government's minimum eligibility standards.
Why do I need a visa screen?
Purpose of the VisaScreen®? Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (the IIRIRA) requires specific healthcare professionals to complete a screening program before they can receive either a permanent or temporary occupational visa, including Trade NAFTA status.
How long does it take to get visa screen?
If all requirements have been successfully met for VisaScreen® Expedited Review, CGFNS will issue a VisaScreen® ICHP certificate sent via courier within 2-3 business days.
What's next after visa screen?
12. What is the next step after acquiring the Visa Credentials Service? Applicants who successfully complete VisaScreen® receive an official ICHP Certificate for the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Service, which satisfies the United States Federal screening requirements.
Can I apply visa screen without Nclex?
Applicants who wish to obtain an occupational visa to practice as nurses in the United States must present a CGFNS Certificate or a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to provide proof of their nursing knowledge.
Can I process visa screen without ielts?
Will I be able to start Visa Screen process without the IELTS? Yes, you can start to purchase the service if you haven't taken up your IELTS, however keep in mind that the purchase will expire after 1 year.
How much is visa screen?
$540.00 USDInitial CGFNS VisaScreen Application: $540.00 USD. Expedited Review Service: $500 USD.
Is OET accepted for visa screen?
CGFNS Now Accepts OET and PTE for US VisaScreen.
Can I take Nclex without CGFNS?
Yes it is, you have to choose which state do you prefer to work. I got 2 licenses, 1 is Calif license and the other is AZ license by endorsement. I did N-CLEX without the CGFNS exam -you just have to choose to license in one of the many States that don't require it.
What is the passing score for CGFNS exam?
Certification Program & Qualifying ExamELP ExaminationPassing ScoreTOEFL® iBT83IELTS6.5 (Academic Only)
How long is a visa screen good for?
five yearsPurpose: A VisaScreen® Certificate is valid for five years from the date that it is issued.
How much is US visa screen?
Initial CGFNS VisaScreen Application: $540.00 USD. Expedited Review Service: $500 USD.
Is visa screen required for h1b?
L. No. 104-208, INA §212(a)(5)(C), the above professionals who may be on H-1B, J-1, O-1, and TN (NAFTA) visas are required to obtain “VisaScreen” certificates, also known as Health Care Worker Certificates.
Do you need visa screen for TN visa?
Not only is the visa screen required for initial TN visa applications, it is also required for TN visa renewal applications. As illustrated in a recent news article, even RNs who have been working in the U.S. for over 20 years under TN visa status can be denied entry to the U.S. unless they have a valid visa screen.
Everything Nurses Need To Know About Visa Screen
Are you a registered nurse? Are you keen to practice your nursing profession in the US? Registered nurses who are interested in working in the United States must go through the VisaScreen procedure. To qualify for some occupational visas in the United States, nurses must now pass this screening program.
What Is VisaScreen?
The International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a branch of CGFNS, offers VisaScreen. VisaScreen helps healthcare professionals achieve the screening. It confirms and analyzes nurses' credentials. The program ensures that the nurse matches the minimum eligibility standards set by the US government.
What Are The Requirements For VisaScreen?
Take note that the VisaScreen application necessitates the usage of a valid CGFNS account. Only then may you submit the following requirements.
What is a visa screen?
The Visa Credentials Assessment Service (VisaScreen) is a comprehensive screening service for healthcare professionals. Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA) of 1996 states that any foreign national who seeks to enter the United States for the purpose of performing labor as a health-care worker, other than a physician, is required to complete a screening program before they can receive their occupational visa. The Department of Homeland Security issued a regulation on July 25, 2003, which implemented a set of rules and procedures that authorized organizations must fulfill in order to properly evaluate the skills, qualifications and capabilities of immigrant and nonimmigrant healthcare workers. This became the VisaScreen certification process. Upon completion of the screening requirements, aspiring foreign US healthcare professionals can receive either a permanent or temporary employment visa.
Where to Seek Guidance for VisaScreen Processing?
Organizing the multiple requirements listed above could become quite overwhelming. Especially for those who balance several priorities on a daily basis. Your schedule might be packed and managing a solid application requires careful thought and focused effort. If you choose to process all of these by yourself, there could be challenges that may cause delay in your application.
What is the predictive exam for nurses?
Predictive Examination (for Nurses) Applicants who wish to obtain an occupational visa to practice as nurses in the United States must present a CGFNS Certificate or a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to provide proof of their nursing knowledge.
How long does a CGFNS license need to be valid?
Which means that the signature of the validation authority must be dated within the last three years.
Do healthcare workers have to reapply for a visa?
Healthcare workers who have not obtained a permanent visa or have not become a US citizen must reapply to obtain a new certificate before its expiration date.
Can CGFNS translate documents?
These documents must be in English and must be translated by an official registered translator. CGFNS can translate documents for an additional fee, should you choose to avail of this service from them. Licensure Information Review. This procedure evaluates initial and all current and past licenses.
What is a CGFNS visa?
Holding a CGFNS VisaScreen Certificate is a compulsory or mandatory component in the immigration process for foreign educated Registered Nurses to live and work in the U.S. The Certificate must be included with every visa petition filed on your behalf.
How many countries does CGFSN work in?
CGFSN has helped over 3,000,000 medical professionals from 189 countries for 42 years.
What is CGFNS International?
CGFNS International is an immigration neutral nonprofit organization that assesses and validates the academic and professional credentials for foreign education healthcare professionals's (e.g. Registered Nurse) who wish to live and work in the United States.
How long does it take to get a CGFNS?
CGFNS applications must be completed within 12 months or it will be deemed incomplete.
Does Medliant reimburse for visas?
o Remember, Medliant International Healthcare Staffing will reimburse the cost of the CGFNS VisaScreen when you begin working in the United Stated!
What is a foreign nurse license?
The nurse has a valid and unrestricted license in the U.S. state in which he or she will work and the state has certified that the nurse's foreign license is authentic. 2. The nurse has passed the NCLEX, which is the U.S. licensing examination for nurses. 3. The nurse is a graduate of an English-language nursing program.
What is a schedule A nurse?
A nurse position is classified as a "Schedule A" position. Schedule A positions are ones that the U.S. government has recognized the U.S. needs more workers to fill. Therefore, employers are not required to post advertisements for Schedule A positions (a usual PERM requirement), because the U.S. government already knows there is a shortage of workers in these positions.
What certification do I need to be a foreign nurse?
with an H-1B visa or with a green card, must prove to USCIS that they are "certified" to work in the medical field in the United States. (This information is specific to nurses.
Where do I file a Perm for a foreign nurse?
To file the PERM for a foreign nurse, the U.S. employer completes the usual ETA Form 9089, but submits the form, along with an I-140 petition, to USCIS—not with the Department of Labor, which is the agency that reviews ETA Form 9089s for all non-Schedule A positions.
Why do we have a green card?
And because the U.S. is perpetually short of medical workers , one of the classes of immigrants who get focused ...
Can a nurse file an I-485?
Once USCIS approves the I-140 and the foreign nurse's priority date is current (meaning that a visa number has become available, if a wait had been imposed due to the annual allotment of such visas having run out), the nurse can apply for the U.S. green card by filing the I-485, adjustment of status application, with USCIS (for explanation, see How to Determine Your Priority Date for Immigration Purposes ).
What does USCIS use to verify credentials?
USCIS uses the certification to verify the worker’s credentials for admissibility into the United States. See INA 212 (a) (5) (C). Additionally, USCIS must ensure that the health care worker meets educational requirements for the classification and any applicable licensure requirements. In reviewing the worker’s educational documents, USCIS considers the education credential evaluator’s opinion in conjunction with a review of the noncitizen’s relevant education credentials (if submitted), and other available credible material regarding the equivalency of the education credentials to college degrees obtained in the United States.
Can a foreign nurse be certified?
Please note: Nurses have an alternative certification process. A foreign nurse may present a certified statement from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or an approved equivalent independent credentialing organization if it verifies that the foreign nurse:
Does USCIS accept health care workers?
Please note: USCIS does not accept a health care worker certification as the sole evidence that the foreign worker has met the minimum requirement for the given position and is, therefore, eligible for the requested visa classification.
Can a non-immigrant be a health care worker?
Health Care Worker Certification. Noncitizens seeking admission as a nonimmigrant or immigrant primarily to perform labor as a health care worker, other than as a physician, are not admissible to the United States unless they present certification from a USCIS-approved credentialing organization verifying that they have met ...
