I'm a nurse who is very interested in working in North America, what do you charge to assist me?
We do not charge nurses any fees and never will. Our revenue is generated by the fees paid by the healthcare facility once a nurse is placed.

I have a child &/or am married and want to bring my immediate family members with me to the US. Can I do so?
Yes, the name of spouse/minor children would need to be known and included on the immigration petition. If the nurse gets married after immigrant petition has been approved but before consular process has been initiated, that would require additional legal fees to notify NVC and request additional visa processing packets.

For which visa do international health professionals generally apply?
1. A permanent or immigrant visa, commonly known as a green card .
2. A temporary or non-immigrant visa, of which there are three types: H-1B, H1-C and TN (Trade NAFTA). Each visa category has its own numeric quota and length of renewal and stay. The term "green card" (official term: Alien Registration Receipt Card) identifies its holder as a permanent resident of the United States.

What does CGFNS do and how does it certify foreign healthcare workers meets the requirements of section 343?
CGFNS, a non-profit organization which registers and licenses healthcare professionals worldwide, created a new division in 1996, the International Commission on Healthcare Professionals (ICHP), to administer its new service - the Visascreen: Visa Credentials Assessment.

Visascreen was established to ensure healthcare professionals meet the requirements of section 343 by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure that they meet the US government's minimum eligibility standards. Applicants who successfully complete the Visascreen receive a Visascreen Certificate, which can be presented to the consular office or to the Attorney General as part of a visa application in the case of adjustment of status.

I want to work in California, I heard that CGFNS is not required there?
Yes, that is true. In the case of California, the process to get RN licensure by examination is a bit tricky. California requires that the nurse undergo a credential review by specialists within the California Board of Registered Nursing. Click here for more info and look for: IN ADDITION FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES at the bottom of the page.

The Board does not require applicants to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination in order to be licensed in California. Although, if you have been evaluated by CGFNS, the Board will accept official copies of your nursing transcripts (including the clinical portion of your training) from this organization. Requests must be made in writing, and the appropriate CGFNS fee must be included for this service. Read this PDF file from the Board's website for more info.

I am a nurse who holds a CGFNS Certificate. Do I still need to apply for the Visascreen Certificate?
Yes. The Visascreen Certification is required for all healthcare professionals, except physicians, who are seeking an immigrant visa or change in status to permanent residency.

What are the requirements for Visascreen?

• Complete the application.
• Complete the forms enclosed and send to your nursing school. Academic transcripts must come directly from the nursing school.
• Complete the attached forms and send to the licensing authorities in Phils. Validation of all licenses past and present, must come directly from the licensing authorities.
• You must successfully complete an English language proficiency test (TOEFL) and have the scores directly forwarded to ICHP from the testing agency.
• You must pass either the CGFNS Qualifying Exam or the NCLEX-RN examination if you are a nurse.
  
• Enclose a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent.
• Enclose the application fee.

What is ICHP?
The International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP) is a division of CGFNS. CGFNS launched ICHP in 1996 to administer the Visascreen program, which is a federally-approved screening program for foreign healthcare workers seeking an occupational visa in the United States.

Who is exempt from fulfilling the English language proficiency requirements?
Applicants may be exempt from the English language proficiency requirement if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Country of professional education was Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or of course, the United States;
• Language of instruction was English; and
• Language of textbooks was English.

What is the H1-C visa and who is eligible?
The H1-C visa is a non-immigrant visa for nurses to temporarily work in "healthcare shortage areas" in the US. A nurse may practice in the US for 3 years under the H1-C visa. Nurses eligible must have a full unrestricted license to practice professional nursing in the country where they obtained their nursing education. Have passed an appropriate examination (determined by the Department of Health and Human Services) and be fully qualified and eligible under the state laws and regulations of the state of intended employment to practice as a registered nurse immediately upon admission to United States.

What healthcare professionals does ICHP certify?
Under the current Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Interim regulation, ICHP can certify registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists and audiologists, medical technicians and physician assistants.

How long does E3 Base Petition take?
To start the processing it varies from country to country. For the Philippines, it takes close to a year.

Regarding I-140 Petition, Can I be interviewed in any country?
Yes. But the procedures will be different.

Can a non-CGFNS passer apply for a visa?
Yes, as an unskilled E4, which takes 2~2-1/2 years. Philippines, nurses, Filipina, Filipino nurses, nursing students, student nurses, RN, RNs, nursing crisis, nursing forum, nursing news, visa for Filipino nurses, nursing links, nursing management, overseas contract workers, OCW, Filipina caregivers, surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, cardiac, ICCU