Visa Screen Certificate / CGFNS

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Visa Screen Certificate is required by all foreign nurses wishing to obtain a green card to work in the US, as well as any type of temporary work permit, such as the Nafta TN Visa for those from Canada and Mexico.

It requires that you pass either the NCLEX-RN or the CGFNS exam, as well as the series of English exams if you are not exempt from them.

The CGFNS exam is only required now in about five states, and rumor is that one or two will be removed from that remaining list as well. Do not bother with that exam if you are not going to work in a state that does not require it, or you have no way to be able to take the NCLEX exam from where you are currently located.

The application for the VSC is now only good for one year.........please do not apply for it until you have passed at least one of the required exams, or you may need to pay an additional fee.

(This thread is replacing the original thread that was from more than 2 and 1/2 years ago, and has updated information.)

Hello again,

i applied my visascreen certificate before CGFNS changed its rule and certificate price. I believe their ruling BEFORE was to hold the applications more than one year (not sure the maximum yrs though).

If, in any case, i need to re-apply do I pay another $328 (price of visa screen cert- not sure about this price)? I still dont have the (initial) certificate i already paid for.

My CGFNS account though do not have notation that i need to reapply. Do you think its a stead-fast rule to re-apply? Maybe ill get notice when I submit my english exam. what do you think?

thanks again,

wilky

The longest time that it can remain current is two years, that was the old time if you are under that. You are not going to get a certificate if you have not taken the English exams as of yet, does not matter that you paid for it or not. You need to meet the requirements for it in the first place before it can be issued.

And there are a few things that you need to be aware of, that apparently you do not know. You need to be in the US for three months before anything can be submitted for you and you have a chance of it not getting denied. Denial means you have to leave the US and no chance to appeal that. It is illegal to come to the US as a tourist with the idea of staying and working in the US. And the most important thing is that there are no visas currently available, and they will not be available before October at the earliest. And we have no idea of what will be available at that time.

You are wanting to play Russian Roulette with immigration and not a good idea with the way things are currently. If things open October 1, and again, this is only a guess, you will not be here the 90 days. It also takes a month or longer to get the petition ready for the I-140, many forget about that.

Seriously recommend that you go thru Consular Processing in the first place. Looking at it from the other side of the idea: You want to wait until you get to the US to take the English exams. Not sure when you are planning to come over here. Once you pass the English exam, it takes about four months on average to get your VSC; sometimes it can be quicker, but do not plan on it. If you do not get the VSC issued before the date that the two years are up, you start all over with that. With having to get the documents for them all over again. Too many problems with what you want to do, and sounds more like you will be coming over to shop for an employer. Many are not doing anything at this time.

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Hy,

My wife pass the NCLEX in january 2007 and she did not received the visa screen yet.Please be so kind and tell me, if you know, what is hapenning with her visa screen.

Your sincerely,

Did she apply for the Visa Screen Certificate as well? It needs to be applied for. Is she required to have the English exams, and if so, did she have the results submitted as well to ICHP/CGFNS?

Just passing the NCLEX exam does not automatically send the results to them, she has to request that the BON that she is getting licensure thru, send confirmation that she passed the exam.

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The longest time that it can remain current is two years, that was the old time if you are under that. You are not going to get a certificate if you have not taken the English exams as of yet, does not matter that you paid for it or not. You need to meet the requirements for it in the first place before it can be issued.

And there are a few things that you need to be aware of, that apparently you do not know. You need to be in the US for three months before anything can be submitted for you and you have a chance of it not getting denied. Denial means you have to leave the US and no chance to appeal that. It is illegal to come to the US as a tourist with the idea of staying and working in the US. And the most important thing is that there are no visas currently available, and they will not be available before October at the earliest. And we have no idea of what will be available at that time.

You are wanting to play Russian Roulette with immigration and not a good idea with the way things are currently. If things open October 1, and again, this is only a guess, you will not be here the 90 days. It also takes a month or longer to get the petition ready for the I-140, many forget about that.

Seriously recommend that you go thru Consular Processing in the first place. Looking at it from the other side of the idea: You want to wait until you get to the US to take the English exams. Not sure when you are planning to come over here. Once you pass the English exam, it takes about four months on average to get your VSC; sometimes it can be quicker, but do not plan on it. If you do not get the VSC issued before the date that the two years are up, you start all over with that. With having to get the documents for them all over again. Too many problems with what you want to do, and sounds more like you will be coming over to shop for an employer. Many are not doing anything at this time.

I have passed the english exam already, im just holding my IELTS till i get to the USA and find a sponsor.If i go to USA, i will be able to file I-140 in October, which is the time visas are released for FY 2008. Im not sure if visas would be released, but at least i have served the 90 days stay before filing I-140.If I go through Consular processing, Philippine backlog is sooo huge that i wont get any visa in at least 3 yrs of waiting.At least if i am in the USA, i will be able to work when EAD comes. Its better than working as a nurse here in the Philippines.BTW, what documents do i need to prepare for DS230?Does the EAD come with I-485 or i could file EAD while I file I-140? How is the interim permit be of use to me?Thanks,wilky

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I have just took the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination on June 2007, and it is until late August that we will receive the results from the Board of Nursing.

I haven't took any english exam or any qualifying exam to be a USRN.

Being a toxic human, I do not allow others to waste my time, I am currently preparing for my requirements to be sent to CABON, unfortunately, I could not fully accomplish it with so many questions in mind.

May I just ask, can I apply for the Visa Screen Certificate already and mail it to (CGFNS)them together with my requirements for the CABON(to California, of course)?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I have passed the english exam already, im just holding my IELTS till i get to the USA and find a sponsor.If i go to USA, i will be able to file I-140 in October, which is the time visas are released for FY 2008. Im not sure if visas would be released, but at least i have served the 90 days stay before filing I-140.If I go through Consular processing, Philippine backlog is sooo huge that i wont get any visa in at least 3 yrs of waiting.At least if i am in the USA, i will be able to work when EAD comes. Its better than working as a nurse here in the Philippines.BTW, what documents do i need to prepare for DS230?Does the EAD come with I-485 or i could file EAD while I file I-140? How is the interim permit be of use to me?Thanks,wilky

Sorry but I think you are looking at this wrong. Just because you are expecting new visas for 2008 does not mean you can file in Oct and expect to get one. Since last Oct you have not been able to file for EAD and there is no reason that it will change this Oct, just because you have file I140 does not mean you can stay in the US until a visa is available or will get EAD. Your rationale on this I feel will make it harder for others who are going through this process. The earliest I have seen nurses from the Phillipines waiting for interview is late 2005 early 2006 and some of them are mentioning they have seen movement with their files or have received letters of interviews and they are currently living in the phillipines

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I have just took the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination on June 2007, and it is until late August that we will receive the results from the Board of Nursing.

I haven't took any english exam or any qualifying exam to be a USRN.

Being a toxic human, I do not allow others to waste my time, I am currently preparing for my requirements to be sent to CABON, unfortunately, I could not fully accomplish it with so many questions in mind.

May I just ask, can I apply for the Visa Screen Certificate already and mail it to (CGFNS)them together with my requirements for the CABON(to California, of course)?

Thanks in advance!

I think the best thing is to apply to visa screen certificate once you have completed CA BON requirements and have passed NCLEX. VSC file is only valid for 12 months by which you should have completed all requirements for VSC ie passed NCLEX and language exam. You could have some delay with CA and organising NCLEX , better to wait

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Ah okay. So, after I have passed either the English exam or the CGFNS/NCLEX only can I start applying for the Visa Screen Certificate.

Was that clearly stated?

Another set of questions:

(1)I have read in previous posts that, once you finished at least one of the required examinations which is the IELTS/TOEFL and NCLEX/CGFNS, you can now start in submitting your requirements for the Visa Screen Certificate Application since only the completed paperwork and the application fee is needed, and CGFNS will do the work for us. Given that I have passed, at least one of the required examinations, how would I start off with the Visa Screen Certificate application? I have visited the CGFNS International and saw the requirements needed, first:

successfully completed secondary school education that

is separate from your nursing education; [do i need to send them a certified true copy of my diploma or transcript of records or a original copy?]

graduated from government-approved, general nursing

program of at least two years in length; [what proof would I send them, e.g., certification of completion?]

The completed “Request for Academic Records” form and

full academic records/transcripts from each of your

professional schools [would I send them two kinds of transcripts, one from the secondary school and the other one from my professional nursing school, is that right?]

Thanks a bunch!

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Sorry but I think you are looking at this wrong. Just because you are expecting new visas for 2008 does not mean you can file in Oct and expect to get one. Since last Oct you have not been able to file for EAD and there is no reason that it will change this Oct, just because you have file I140 does not mean you can stay in the US until a visa is available or will get EAD. Your rationale on this I feel will make it harder for others who are going through this process. The earliest I have seen nurses from the Phillipines waiting for interview is late 2005 early 2006 and some of them are mentioning they have seen movement with their files or have received letters of interviews and they are currently living in the phillipines

I DID NOT say i could get visa in October once visas (if ever) will be released. Processing takes about at least 2 yrs, how will i be able to get one in october when i file papers? And I definitely DID NOT say that visas will be released October--- might be released, thats what i was hoping for.

What im assuming is when a sponsor file I-140 on my behalf, i might be able to stay beyond 6 months (max tourist stay w/o extension filed) until i file for EAD, I-485, I-131, etc. till getting GC.

But with what you posted, Id like to know --- would filing I-140 would give me legal-reason to stay in USA?

When i was a tourist in USA, my status was changed to H-1B. Getting approval of H1B took me beyond my allowable tourist stay...but my stay, even if its longer that required 6 months, is still legal. That is what im hoping about I-140. Correct me if im wrong.

The rationale i was saying is the "90 days-stay" that lawyers want before they file I-140 to someone with a tourist visa.....

So if its 90 days that they want, Its good to fly now and serve 90 days with the 90th day reaching October---- which is the month for FY 2008 visa release (NOTE: if ever visas will be released). If visas will be released and VB is current by October, then my lawyer could file concurrently I-140, I-485, I-765, I-131 on my behalf in October. Do i have my facts right? or im missing something?

Can I-140 approval/filing, give me reason to stay in USA beyond allowable tourist time?

What are the documents needed for DS230?

thanks,

wilky

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I DID NOT say i could get visa in October once visas (if ever) will be released. Processing takes about at least 2 yrs, how will i be able to get one in october when i file papers? And I definitely DID NOT say that visas will be released October--- might be released, thats what i was hoping for.

What im assuming is when a sponsor file I-140 on my behalf, i might be able to stay beyond 6 months (max tourist stay w/o extension filed) until i file for EAD, I-485, I-131, etc. till getting GC.

But with what you posted, Id like to know --- would filing I-140 would give me legal-reason to stay in USA?

When i was a tourist in USA, my status was changed to H-1B. Getting approval of H1B took me beyond my allowable tourist stay...but my stay, even if its longer that required 6 months, is still legal. That is what im hoping about I-140. Correct me if im wrong.

The rationale i was saying is the "90 days-stay" that lawyers want before they file I-140 to someone with a tourist visa.....

So if its 90 days that they want, Its good to fly now and serve 90 days with the 90th day reaching October---- which is the month for FY 2008 visa release (NOTE: if ever visas will be released). If visas will be released and VB is current by October, then my lawyer could file concurrently I-140, I-485, I-765, I-131 on my behalf in October. Do i have my facts right? or im missing something?

Can I-140 approval/filing, give me reason to stay in USA beyond allowable tourist time?

What are the documents needed for DS230?

thanks,

wilky

Filing for I140 will not give you any reason to stay in the USA beyond 6 months and the lawyer can not file for I485 etc in October unless bulletin shows all visas current and with the fiasco this month with the visas I think the figures will regress rather than be current (this is my opinion). Even if you are able to file AOS in October it will still take several weeks before you get EAD and be able to work. It is also illegal with intent to visit the USA and change status if you have a tourist visa

In what I have had to give my lawyer regarding docs for DS230, copy of marriage and birth certificates. Dates of previous visits to the US and duration of stay and reason of stay, photocopies of all pages of my passport

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Ah okay. So, after I have passed either the English exam or the CGFNS/NCLEX only can I start applying for the Visa Screen Certificate.

Was that clearly stated?

Another set of questions:

(1)I have read in previous posts that, once you finished at least one of the required examinations which is the IELTS/TOEFL and NCLEX/CGFNS, you can now start in submitting your requirements for the Visa Screen Certificate Application since only the completed paperwork and the application fee is needed, and CGFNS will do the work for us. Given that I have passed, at least one of the required examinations, how would I start off with the Visa Screen Certificate application? I have visited the CGFNS International and saw the requirements needed, first:

successfully completed secondary school education that

is separate from your nursing education; [do i need to send them a certified true copy of my diploma or transcript of records or a original copy?]

graduated from government-approved, general nursing

program of at least two years in length; [what proof would I send them, e.g., certification of completion?]

The completed "Request for Academic Records" form and

full academic records/transcripts from each of your

professional schools [would I send them two kinds of transcripts, one from the secondary school and the other one from my professional nursing school, is that right?]

Thanks a bunch!

I personally would wait completed english language and NCLEX/CGFNS exam. Depending on state you are going to there is only a small handful that now require the CGFNS exam

I just sent a photocopy of my secondary education but as my schooling was over 10 years I was actually exempt

If you are going through CGFNS for anything then you do not need to send anything for visa screen they can use the documents already sent. Transcripts have to be sent from your school of nursing in an envelope with their stamp You can arrange for collection by FedEx/UPS etc. A few have grouped together and arranged transcripts to go as a group (this is my understanding, I know I aranged for FedEx to collect my transcripts direct from my school of nursing)

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Ah.

So, in your opinion, you would opt with finishing the two required examinations first, then go with the application for the Visa Screen Certificate.

I would not take the CGFNS Examination, since only 5 states require the examination in the United States, so, I dont think that I will be needing that in the future.

"I just sent a photocopy of my secondary education but as my schooling was over 10 years I was actually exempt" - Silverdragon102

Did you send a photocopy of your secondary diploma or a photocopy of your secondary transcripts?

And I have read earlier in other posts about Copy of Test Results for $10 to CABON.. Would I send the $10 to CABON already even I have not received any eligibility yet to sit for the NCLEX Exam?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Ah.

So, in your opinion, you would opt with finishing the two required examinations first, then go with the application for the Visa Screen Certificate.

I would not take the CGFNS Examination, since only 5 states require the examination in the United States, so, I dont think that I will be needing that in the future.

"I just sent a photocopy of my secondary education but as my schooling was over 10 years I was actually exempt" - Silverdragon102

Did you send a photocopy of your secondary diploma or a photocopy of your secondary transcripts?

And I have read earlier in other posts about Copy of Test Results for $10 to CABON.. Would I send the $10 to CABON already even I have not received any eligibility yet to sit for the NCLEX Exam?

Thanks!

I have a secondary school certificate and just sent a copy of that. The reason I say wait until you have completed is application is valid for 12 months and if for some reason there is a delay and your 12 months are up you will have to repay.

Do not arrange anything with CA BON regard copy of results until after you have passed NCLEX. I would say that is the time to start VSC especially if you have taken and passed english exam or near the time to taking the exam.

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