News

2008 News

VisaScreen® Certificate holders:
Check the expiration date!

The VisaScreen® Certificate is valid for five years. VisaScreen® Certificate holders who have not adjusted their status or obtained a permanent United States visa are required to renew their VisaScreen® Certificates within five years of the date it was issued. VisaScreen® Certificates that were issued in 2003 will expire in 2008.

VisaScreen®Renewal Program requirements

VisaScreen®Certificate holders must reapply to CGFNS/ICHP and obtain a new Certificate prior to the expiration date of the current VisaScreen® Certificate. Applicants should begin the renewal process six months before the expiration of their current VisaScreen® Certificate. To renew your VisaScreen® Certificate, you will need:

  1. To complete and sign a VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment Renewal Form (available through CGFNS connect or download at www.cgfns.org).
  2. A bank check or international money order (drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. funds) made payable to ICHP, or credit card payment (Visa, MasterCard or Discover), for the full VisaScreen® renewal application fee in U.S. dollars. DO NOT SEND CASH.
  3. The completed “Request for Validation of Registration/License” form from each licensing agency where you have ever held a registration/license/certification as a professional in your field; or, in cases where your diploma authorizes legal practice, this same form mailed to CGFNS/ICHP from the institution that issued your diploma. If you hold a lifetime license or certificate to practice, you still must have a validation completed to document that there were no suspensions, revocations or restrictions on your practice since the initial validation was received by CGFNS/ICHP. Note: Some licensing/registration authorities may charge a fee for verifying your license(s)/registration(s). You are responsible for any additional fees associated with processing your VisaScreen® application.
  4. Proof of English proficiency through examination (scores are valid for two years) or by exemption as designated in the VisaScreen® handbook.
  5. Certified English translation of all documents not in English. Note: CGFNS/ICHP is unable to accept any transcript or licensure documentation sent by email, fax or via the Internet. All official documentation must be in hard copy format with the appropriate seals and sent to CGFNS/ICHP by mail or courier.

Want to prevent having to retake the English Language Proficiency exam?

English Language Proficiency test scores are valid for two years. This two-year time frame must coincide with the receipt of all required documents, otherwise the scores will expire and applicants will need to retake the required English Language Proficiency exams. Please note: We have noticed a number of applicants applying for our services with English scores that are about to expire, and that doesn’t allow CGFNS sufficient time to receive the remaining required documents before the scores expire. Unfortunately, this means that the VisaScreen®Certificate cannot be issued because the applicant must retake the required English exams.