Canadian RN Looking for Speedy/Uncomplicated Process thru VISA SCREEN

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I am a Canadian (Western - English - First Language)Nurse, Seeking work in California and going through all the processes.

I am trying to do it with as little setbacks as possible, so that the application goes off without a hitch. Needing Advice

I have just completed the NCLEX Exam - Awaiting results.

Time being of the essence, I am trying to get the Visa Screen Application completed and sent out ASAP.

After beginning the initial part of it, I already ran into a hurdle.

I am looking for advice from anyone with experience in this area.

The VisaScreen application is asking "which State" I intend to work.

The catch is: I intend to work in Cali, but for practical purposes I have applied to write NCLEX with Minnesota (as it is faster - and then intend to endorse to Cali).

So, since I don't want any discrepancies in the Visa Screen application - do I:

state my intended state is Cali? or the state I am about to be licensed in (pending confirmation of passing exam) Minnesota?

or...Do I endorse to Cali before completing this form for Visa screen(which would only hold me up further)

or...simultaneously apply to endorse to Cali - and apply to Visa Screen with my intended state being Cali.

I just want to make the process as fast as possible.

Thank you

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Does not matter the state that you list on the VSC application.

I would not submit it until you have your results of the NCLEX exam, they are unable to process anything until they have received verification from the BON that you tested for.

Do not do anything with CA at this time, there is no reason to and it will hold you up longer.

As long as CA has received proof of your license from MN, or if they are on Nursys; you can actually get a temporary license from them that day. They will not issue a permanent license to you without a SSN# and you will not get that until you are in the US and ready to begin work.

Best of luck to you.

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Thank you Suzzane:

THat seems to be the concensus...endorsement to california can actually be a quick process, applying for temporary license initially.

I travel to california quite often and while there may use the "live scan" method of figerprinting to speed up the process further.

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You are quite welcome.

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After getting into page 4 of the 15 page document, I am Flabergasted....They want the dates of the schools I intended in Elementary/Primary school. unbelievable!

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This is for immigration and not licensure, that is why it is so detailed and not anything that you are used to seeing if you have not applied for a visa to work in another country.

They want to know everything about you, and quite literally.

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I am curious to know if they are only interested in the Main Schools I attended (i.e. High school) or every other little night class or upgrading class I ever took. I have no problem listing all such schools - But is the bloat just going to create more work for verification and thus more of a hold up on my Visa Screen?

Are They wanting the current names of the school or the name of the school when I attended (It has been 20 yrs, and some schools change name/service/or disappear altogether)

Anybody have any experience in this regard?

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They want the names of the schools that you attended, the names that they were called back then. They are not going to be doing anything with those, they are concerned with any classes that you have taken since you graduated from high school. And they do not contact all of them.

The VSC is being done per the request of the US government, not just for the heck of it by CGFNS. They are under contract with the US government to provide this service for them.

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Thanks once again for the Reply Suzanne:

That was very interesting, and also very settling.

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You are quite welcome.

You always want to provide them with everything, then they can choose what they wish to review or follow-up on. Leaving something out is not what you want to do.

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Approximately 3 months to get Visascreen.

-June 16 2008 Applied for Minnesota License

-July 17 2008 Paid an extra 150 to Write NCLEX to Write in CANADA

-July 21 2008 Wrote NCLEX

-July 22 2008 Received Results Pass via website (Extra fee- of course) Received Minnesota license

-July 27 2008 Apply to CGFNS (Visa Screen)

-Aug 8 2008 Sent application for License to California via endorsement from Minnesota

-Aug 8 2008 Application NURSYS/NCSBC Application for electronic verification of licenses (faster than paper).

-Aug 12 2008 "Livescan" fingerprints, While on a visit in California...(Paper fingerprints take a lot longer - maybe months)

-Sept 14 2008 Received temporary California License in Mail

-Sept 18 2008 Received email from CGFNS (VisaScreen) wanting verification of my address (I hope this means they are mailing my successful VisaScreen) (logged into their website to see that they now finally received the last document of many needed - and all have been reviewed and are adequate - This is a neat feature they have)

In and amongst all of the above is Mailing (more often couriering - as it is faster - but more expensive) Verifications of licenses from various Boards and transcripts etc.

If Visa-screen comes in the mail this week, it will be just a little over 3 months from beginning of very first application for Licensure. Keeping in mind that every single form any party wanted was provided ASAP following or with applications.

I would like to add that this website was instrumental in providing me with tips on how to go about all this paper work/application.

I also consulted with a Nurse Recruitment Company and Travel Nurse Company - neither of which I have signed with but both were nice enough to give advice on how to go about the process.

Well - I have been speaking with a few hospitals / HR, and will continue to do so.

The one major obstacle I have now is: regarding moving to US.

Specifically "Automobile"

Not sure if it is easier to transfer my vehicle information (reg / insurance) Down in Cali, Or to just sell my vehicle in Canada and buy an American vehicle when I get down there. Ive heard there is a tonne of paper work involved when owning a foreign vehicle in the US. I know I need to sell this vehicle anyways, it is a V8 4X4, an endangered species in today's world of gas prices.

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Approximately 3 months to get Visascreen.

-June 16 2008 Applied for Minnesota License

-July 17 2008 Paid an extra 150 to Write NCLEX to Write in CANADA

-July 21 2008 Wrote NCLEX

-July 22 2008 Received Results Pass via website (Extra fee- of course) Received Minnesota license

-July 27 2008 Apply to CGFNS (Visa Screen)

-Aug 8 2008 Sent application for License to California via endorsement from Minnesota

-Aug 8 2008 Application NURSYS/NCSBC Application for electronic verification of licenses (faster than paper).

-Aug 12 2008 "Livescan" fingerprints, While on a visit in California...(Paper fingerprints take a lot longer - maybe months)

-Sept 14 2008 Received temporary California License in Mail

-Sept 18 2008 Received email from CGFNS (VisaScreen) wanting verification of my address (I hope this means they are mailing my successful VisaScreen) (logged into their website to see that they now finally received the last document of many needed - and all have been reviewed and are adequate - This is a neat feature they have)

In and amongst all of the above is Mailing (more often couriering - as it is faster - but more expensive) Verifications of licenses from various Boards and transcripts etc.

If Visa-screen comes in the mail this week, it will be just a little over 3 months from beginning of very first application for Licensure. Keeping in mind that every single form any party wanted was provided ASAP following or with applications.

I would like to add that this website was instrumental in providing me with tips on how to go about all this paper work/application.

I also consulted with a Nurse Recruitment Company and Travel Nurse Company - neither of which I have signed with but both were nice enough to give advice on how to go about the process.

Well - I have been speaking with a few hospitals / HR, and will continue to do so.

The one major obstacle I have now is: regarding moving to US.

Specifically "Automobile"

Not sure if it is easier to transfer my vehicle information (reg / insurance) Down in Cali, Or to just sell my vehicle in Canada and buy an American vehicle when I get down there. Ive heard there is a tonne of paper work involved when owning a foreign vehicle in the US. I know I need to sell this vehicle anyways, it is a V8 4X4, an endangered species in today's world of gas prices.

When we originally moved to the US our vehicle was relatively new and not that difficult to get a letter from the manufacturer which was needed in order to get our car registered in the US but it may be more complicated if your vehicle is older. But I must say if the tables are turned moving back to Canada is worse. We had to leave the US though due to my husband losing his job and were required to pay a fee to have our car safety inspected, that was originally bought in Canada and prove we paid GST and provincial taxes at that time. Thankfully I have a great filing system and keep receipts. I would find out what the requirements are in California though before you make your decision because they have strict vehicle emission requirements. I remember once being in California on vacation and because I had a Diesel Jetta at the time I was stopped by the Police. I just had a complete tune up before leaving Canada to visit in California but the Police thought the vehicle emissions were not meeting the standard. It would probably be easier selling your car in Canada and buying in the US esp with the strong Canadian dollar and cars being cheaper to buy in the US anyway esp if you have an interest in getting a new vehicle anyway.

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