VISASCREEN^®

• About the VisaScreen^®:
  Visa Credentials
  Assessment
  and how to apply
• Program requirements (PDF)
• Steps to obtain
  a VisaScreen^® certificate
• English language
  proficiency requirement
• 212(r) Certified Statement
• Streamlined Certification Process
• VisaScreen^® renewal

GLOSSARY

• CGFNS online account status messages
• CGFNS programs and services and other organizations
• English language proficiency
• Health care profession titles
• Licensure and education

QUESTIONS ?

• General
• CREDENTIALS
  EVALUATION SERVICE
• VISASCREEN^®: VISA CREDENTIALS ASSESSMENT
  • Immigration
    and visas
  • 2006 Philippine exam
• CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION SERVICE FOR NEW YORK STATE
• CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
  • CGFNS Qualifying Exam^®
  • NCLEX^®
• ISPN PROGRAM
  • ISPN China
• Academic records/ Transcripts and License/ Registration/Diploma
• Application problems
• CGFNS ID number
• Correspondence and
  Customer Care
• Documents
• Educational deficiences
• English language proficiency
• My status
• Payment

VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment

Who is this service for?

The following health care professionals who are not U.S. citizens and are seeking occupational visas to work in the United States:

Registered nurses Physical therapists Occupational therapists Physician assistants Audiologists

Clinical laboratory technicians (medical technicians) Clinical laboratory scientists (medical laboratory technologists) Speech language pathologists Licensed practical or vocational nurses

What does this service do?

Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (the IIRIRA) of 1996 requires specific health care professionals complete a screening program before they can receive either a permanent or temporary occupational visa, including Trade NAFTA status. This screening includes:

• an assessment of an applicant’s education to ensure that it is comparable to that of a U.S. graduate in the same profession
• a verification that all professional health care licenses that an applicant ever held are valid and without restrictions
• an English language proficiency examination
• for registered nurses, a verification that the nurse has passed either the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^®, NCLEX-RN^® or its predecessor, the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE)

Applicants who successfully complete VisaScreen^® receive an ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate, which satisfies the Federal screening requirements.

VisaScreen^® renewal

VisaScreen^® certificate holders who have not obtained a permanent U.S. visa or become a United States citizen are required to renew their certificates prior to the five-year expiration of the date the certificate was issued. The renewal application needs to be submitted six months prior to the expiration of the VisaScreen^® certificate. The cost for renewal is located in the table below. Download the renewal application (PDF), or apply online. Instructions are located in the VisaScreen^® Requirements (PDF).

English requirement waived for certain VisaScreen^® renewal applicants

Beginning 1 March 2010, applicants renewing their VisaScreen^® certificate who can demonstrate employment in the United States (in the health care profession that is designated on their certificate) do not have to take another approved English exam if the following is met

• The period of employment must be for at least 27–36 months, including nine months of the year before the date that your renewal application is submitted. Your employer needs to submit and sign an employment summary on corporate letterhead for the English requirement to be waived.

VisaScreen^® Expedited Review Service

CGFNS International offers a five-day VisaScreen^® Expedited Review Service to all VisaScreen^® and VisaScreen^® renewal applicants. To be eligible, all VisaScreen^® requirements must be met and all documents must be received. View availability and apply online through CGFNS Connect. There is a non-refundable $500 fee for the VisaScreen^® Expedited Review Service.

The VisaScreen^® Expedited Review Service has limited availability but additional spaces are open for applicants that:

• have a Request for Evidence
• have an offer for employment
• have a pending expiration of a visa or licensing application
• are transitioning from a student visa to an employment visa

Applicants that meet one of these requirements, and need additional assistance, should call the CGFNS Customer Care Center during the operating hours listed on the Contact Us page.

How do I apply?

Apply online Use the online application system to: Open an account to order services Submit your orders for services Change your contact information Check the status of your orders New users create an account here Returning users login here

or 2. Download and mail Applicant handbook includes: Information on the assessment and application process Instructions to complete the application Guidelines for communicating with CGFNS International Application and other forms Application handbook (PDF) (October 2012) Reprocess application (PDF) (May 2011) Renewal application (PDF) (April 2012) Expedited Review Service form (PDF) (May 2011)