What is the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment and why do I need it?

U.S. Immigration law now requires that certain health care professionals complete a screening program in order to qualify for occupational visas. VisaScreen, a program offered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS, enables health care professionals to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure that they meet the government’s minimum eligibility standards. CGFNS is named in Federal law as a qualified provider.

The service includes an educational review, licensure review, English language proficiency assessment and the passing of one of two approved examinations for registered nurses (the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^® or NCLEX-RN^®). Health care professionals who successfully complete VisaScreen^® will receive an ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate, which can be presented to a consular officer or, in the case of visa status adjustment, the Attorney General as part of a visa application.

Which health care professions does CGFNS/ICHP certify?

Under the current United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, CGFNS/ICHP can certify registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists, clinical laboratory scientists (medical technologists), clinical laboratory technicians (medical technicians) and physicians’ assistants.

Who is ICHP?

The International Commission on Healthcare Professions is a division of CGFNS International. CGFNS launched ICHP in 1996 to administer its VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment, which is a federally-approved screening program for foreign health care workers seeking an occupational visa in the United States.

What is the difference between a CGFNS certificate and the ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate?

The ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate meets all federal requirements for certain health care professionals seeking work visas in the United States. The CGFNS (Certification Program) certificate meets state board of nursing licensure requirements and is designed specifically for first-level, general (registered) nurses seeking licensure in the United States.

What additional services does VisaScreen^® offer?

A list of VisaScreen^® services can be found at http://www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/fees.shtml#2. Other CGFNS services can be found at http://www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/fees.shtml#5.

What are the VisaScreen^® requirements?

The VisaScreen^® Requirements PDF is located at http://www.cgfns.org/files/pdf/req/VSrequirements.pdf.

What does CGFNS do when they receive my application?

The application steps for the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment are found at www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/vssteps.shtml.

I am from a foreign country, but graduated from a college in the United States. Do I still need to apply for the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment?

Yes. Although your professional education was completed in the United States, the purpose of the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment is to provide a screening program which meets all federal requirements for international health care professionals seeking an occupational visa in the United States, irrespective of where the professional education was completed. However, there is a streamlined process for foreign-born health care professionals educated in the United States.

If I am a registered nurse, do I need to pass the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^® and the NCLEX-RN^® in order to complete my VisaScreen^® application?

No. You need to pass only one of the exams.

How do I get an application?

You can save $75 by applying online rather than completing and mailing the paper application. To apply online, go to https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/intro.jsp and follow the instructions to create an account. You can also download the application handbook from www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/download.shtml and other forms from www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/forms.shtml

Who receives the VisaScreen^® certificate?

The ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate is issued to the applicant who successfully completed all of the requirements of the program and mailed to the address the applicant chose for correspondence on their application. If an applicant signed an Authorization to Release Information form, or a recruiter paid for the application, the original may go to the designated third party or recruiter. The applicant would then present it to a consular officer or attorney general (when applicable) as part of a visa application.

I am a nurse who has a CGFNS certificate. Do I still need to apply for the ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate?

It depends. The ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate is required for certain health care professionals who are seeking an occupational visa or a change in status to permanent residency. One of the requirements of the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment is that registered nurses must have passed either the CGFNS Qualifying Exam^® or the NCLEX-RN^®. Since you already have the CGFNS (Certification Program) certificate, you will not have to take another nursing exam to obtain your visa, and your transcripts on file may be used for the educational evaluation requirement of the VisaScreen^®: Visa Credentials Assessment.

My NCLEX^® expires next year and my VisaScreen^® certificate expires three years from now. What should I do?

The NCLEX-RN^® is an exam that once you pass, you never need to retake. It is not a license, but part of the licensing process. State licenses expire, or need renewal every two to four years, depending on the state. Check with the state where you are licensed for instructions on renewing. Your ICHP VisaScreen^® certificate will need to be renewed unless you have obtained a permanent visa or have become a U.S. citizen. You need to begin the renewal process six months before the expiration of your current certificate.

How long does renewal take?

That depends on how long it takes to receive all the documents required for the service, and any other requirement, such as English language proficiency scores.

Who qualifies for the VisaScreen^® Expedited Service?

You are eligible for this Expedited Review Service only if:

1. you have met the criteria of Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform Immigrant Responsibility Act
2. all required documents have been received by CGFNS and
3. you supply CGFNS with a copy of your Request for Evidence, deportation deadline or offer for employment accompanied by a completed VisaScreen^® Expedited Review Service form.