Problems with CGFNS

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Hi,

I am having problem with my Visa Screen and my certification at the CGFNS, anybody else having problem with them.

I passed my CGFNS in march and my TSE was good to April so I thought that would make me get the certification and no problem with the Visa Screen.

I have been calling them once a week and they said the Certification and the Visa Screen would be mailed out together when it had been approved.

The first thing they wanted from me was a cerification number on my Swedish nursing license, in Sweden we don´t have a number.

Last week when I called the man said that was okey and that was the last thing they needed so the paper would be mailed out but not that friday because they did not mail on fridays...............

Since I didn´t get anything with the mail this week we called again and talked to a lady this time. She said I had to send in a paper where I explain that we do not have nursing licens numbers in Sweden and she also told me that my TSE had run out so I have to apply and do a new TSE before they can approve my Visa Screen and CGFNS certificate........she also said that the man that answered me last week was wrong.....

Right now I feel rather desperate.............and I really do not know what to do?

Anyone else in the same situation?

Bye

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Hi Susapet,

I am so sorry to hear the trouble you are experiencing.

If you didn't have any trouble before sitting for the CGFNS exam, probably, you were lucky. In my impression, the CGFNS is really slow to process applications and, even worse, they frequently lose applications and supplimental documents sent by applicants.

They release incorrect or outdated information, inconsistent information among letters, website, and customer survice representatives, and never apologize for such trouble. I had enough of those when I applied for a CGFNS certificate.

I cannot give you any advice on how to handle the CGFNS, but I know how frastrating it is to work with them.

ayact

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If they approved you to take the CGFNS exam, then everything should have been accepted. I would contact the head of customer service at CGFNS, her name is Savonia Thorne and you can get her number from their directory on their website.

There have been more and more outrageous things that they have been doing lately. It usually takes them about four months to get the Visa Screen Certificate to you, so even waitng until you got your results from the CGFNS exam, which is usually one month, you would be over due on your TSE. Your English exams are going to need to be redone. They are only good for two years, and if you do not have the Certificate issued in that time, you will need to retake the set of exams. Sorry.....................

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Hi Susapet,

I am sorry to hear about your problem in getting the Visa Screen and CGFNS certificates.

When you passed the CGFNS on March that would not give you a lot of time to get you certified since your TSE was to be expired on April.

At best, you should send your explanation why you did not have a number in Sweden. Also work now on your TSE at the soonest possible time. Once you passed the TSE, it will take about fout months for them to issue the Visa Screen Certificate.

Good luck and I hope you won't encounter anymore problems. :)

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Specializes in ER.

I would like to offer everyone who has had to deal with CGFNS a stiff drink. I know I need one.

As a Canadian already in the US do I need the certificate or the visa screen? It sure doesn't say on the web site, and they sound pretty close.

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I would like to offer everyone who has had to deal with CGFNS a stiff drink. I know I need one.

As a Canadian already in the US do I need the certificate or the visa screen? It sure doesn't say on the web site, and they sound pretty close.

It is the same thing, once they have accepted your credentials, you are given a Visa Screen Certificate. And of course, that is only good for 5 years. You will need to go thru the procedure every five years.

Good luck..................... :balloons:

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Hi again and thank you for the support you are giving me, I have calmed down a little and feel better now. The test of spoken english is nothing if I manage to pass it two years ago I will pass it now since I have almost been living in US since than, but it is just the way they treat you from CGFNS that makes me sad. They have all the power in their hands and you as a applicant have no power at all...........

Is the Visa Screen only good for five years ??

Thanks again

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Hi again and thank you for the support you are giving me, I have calmed down a little and feel better now. The test of spoken english is nothing if I manage to pass it two years ago I will pass it now since I have almost been living in US since than, but it is just the way they treat you from CGFNS that makes me sad. They have all the power in their hands and you as a applicant have no power at all...........

Is the Visa Screen only good for five years ??

Thanks again

The Visa Screen CErtificate will need to be renewed every five years, which means the English exams as well, since they are only good for two years. Every five years, you will need to do both.

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The Visa Screen CErtificate will need to be renewed every five years, which means the English exams as well, since they are only good for two years. Every five years, you will need to do both.

Suzanne, I thought we need the Visa Screen Certificate only to apply for a green card. Do we need to renew the certificate every five years even after we get green cards and why??? In case we work in a different state?

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
Suzanne, I thought we need the Visa Screen Certificate only to apply for a green card. Do we need to renew the certificate every five years even after we get green cards and why??? In case we work in a different state?

I hope you don't mind me posting here regarding your question.

From what I understand, if you were issued a visa screen certificate and then you were not able to use it and it then expires then you have to renew it. Or if you used it on a working visa then you have to renew it once you apply for a working visa again.

But as an immigrant, you don't have to renew it again. As an immigrant you have all the rights of an American citizen except the right to vote. Then why have to renew again when in fact after five years you can apply for citizenship.

There are more who are knowledgeable in this site that could give you some answers.

Hope this info helps.

I know Suzanne4 will be posting and I also trust her judgement.

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I hope you don't mind me posting here regarding your question.

From what I understand, if you were issued a visa screen certificate and then you were not able to use it and it then expires then you have to renew it. Or if you used it on a working visa then you have to renew it once you apply for a working visa again.

But as an immigrant, you don't have to renew it again. As an immigrant you have all the rights of an American citizen except the right to vote. Then why have to renew again when in fact after five years you can apply for citizenship.

There are more who are knowledgeable in this site that could give you some answers.

Hope this info helps.

I know Suzanne4 will be posting and I also trust her judgement.

:) This is my understanding also- I was told that the Visascreen is to present at your Green Card interview, hence the 5 year "life" of the certificate ( considering how long Texas and California are taking to process paperwork, it is just as well there is a 5 year expiry date!! LOL!).

adit: Found this on my letter from CGFNS that accompanied my Visa screen.

" BCIS requires that the Visascreen to be renewed after five years. Please note the expiration date on your Visascreen cetificate. If you have not obtained a permanent visa before that date you will have to apply for a renewal of your Visascreen. The application for renewal should be submitted before the expiry date to allow for validation of your professional licences and English requirements"

I think that clarifies the whole saga!

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Thank you, Rep & RNkiwi. As I have never considered to apply for a non-immingrant work visa (i.e. H1B and H1C), I was wondering why we needed to keep renewing a CGFNS certificate every 5 years. Now I know it is for the people who apply for H1 category visas.

Thank you,

ayact

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