I am wondering if any RNs have gone through the CGFNS Visascreen process recently. I am hoping to get an average for the processing times for Canadian nurses. I submitted all documents and had all my transcripts/documents from my university as well as licensing information, sent off right away, which was around July 15th. I also applied for a CES report for my Washington State nursing license.
Just curious if anyone can give me a heads up if this process is a couple of months or if I'm looking at more like 3 or 4 months.
I have already written my NCLEX exam in Canada, so really I am just waiting on CGFNS to process and issue the certificates.
Any additional info from anyone who has gone through this recently would be appreciated!
You need to apply for the visa screen (this meets the federal requirement for nurses in the USA) and the CES report (if that's what you need for Illinois, make sure you check on the CGFNS website which type of report you need for which state) but both can be done concurrently. I'd recommend getting all your papers in ASAP, as it takes about 4+ weeks for them to process it all. You can figure the rest out while you wait on CGFNS. Start looking for jobs, and maybe reach out to some hospitals and see if they are familiar with hiring Canadians. It seems pretty common over here in Washington.
Thanks for answering; it did clear some doubts! When I searched for the requirements of the Illinois license, it stated either CFGNS, CES, or the visa screen are valid, so still a little unsure whether I have to do both CSE and visa screen or just one is sufficient.
Thanks for answering; it did clear some doubts! When I searched for the requirements of the Illinois license, it stated either CFGNS, CES, or the visa screen are valid, so still a little unsure whether I have to do both CSE and visa screen or just one is sufficient.
Hey, I agree it isn't very clear! For me, I had to do both the CES report and the visa screen. I know for sure you need the visa screen certificate. I'm not sure if that would be all you need for your nursing license, but maybe you could check with the board that issues your license.
I am in a similar position with the CNO and working towards my Visascreen. I recently bridged from RPN to RN, passed the NCLEX, and registered with the CNO.
I have a question for you; when you filled out your CFGNS Visascreen application, did you put RPN and RN for everything? It says to include all relatable jobs, but I don't want them to think I'm applying as an LVN/LPN additionally.
Anyways any advice, thoughts, or progress reports on your journey would be much appreciated!
Hey! I didn't work as an LPN, so I did put RN for everything. I think you still have to put your previous experience and education that helped you achieve your BSN. Hopefully, that helps! You can always call their customer service line also (but be prepared for long wait times! They were usually able to help with my specific questions, and they can pull up your application). They'll get all your documents, including proof of passing NCLEX, so you're probably good!
I am currently going through the Visa Screen process, also from BC, and I already have my WA license! I'm waiting for CGFNS to receive my documents at the moment.
Just wanted to ask you some questions since you've already gone through the process:
Did you have any issues with the documents that BCCNM (licensing) sent to CGFNS?
What school did you graduate from? Did CGFNS accept the transcript sent from your school?
How did you submit NCLEX results?
I'm feeling quite anxious about this whole thing since I've read awful things about CGFNS. I have already got offered a position, and my start date is March 12; I know I may not get the Visa screen in time, but I'm hoping to prevent delays as much as possible!
I am currently going through the Visa Screen process, also from BC, and I already have my WA license! I'm waiting for CGFNS to receive my documents at the moment.
Just wanted to ask you some questions since you've already gone through the process:
Did you have any issues with the documents that BCCNM (licensing) sent to CGFNS?
What school did you graduate from? Did CGFNS accept the transcript sent from your school?
How did you submit NCLEX results?
I'm feeling quite anxious about this whole thing since I've read awful things about CGFNS. I have already got offered a position, and my start date is March 12; I know I may not get the Visa screen in time, but I'm hoping to prevent delays as much as possible!
Thanks in advance for your help.
Congrats on your new job! I went to UFV. I had no issues with the documents from BCCNM as they send them electronically- I had called CGFNS to make sure and told them they didn't fill out the forms they required. BCCNM sent proof of NCLEX, too, I'm pretty sure. I read a lot of bad things about lengthy processing times for CGFNS, but it wasn't that long for me once I sent in all my documents. I think the time frame gets longer when you are missing forms, etc. What actually took the longest was getting my SSN once I got to the US since their social security offices in Washington are closed. You have to wait two weeks (the quarantine period since you're coming internationally) before scheduling an appointment; then, they mail you the card. Only after that could my work do the background checks, so it definitely was a process before getting started at my new job. Hopefully, all goes well for you!
Congrats on your new job! I went to UFV. I had no issues with the documents from BCCNM as they send them electronically- I had called CGFNS to make sure and told them they didn't fill out the forms they required. BCCNM sent proof of NCLEX, too, I'm pretty sure. I read a lot of bad things about lengthy processing times for CGFNS, but it wasn't that long for me once I sent in all my documents. I think the time frame gets longer when you are missing forms, etc. What actually took the longest was getting my SSN once I got to the US since their social security offices in Washington are closed. You have to wait two weeks (the quarantine period since you're coming internationally) before scheduling an appointment; then, they mail you the card. Only after that could my work do the background checks, so it definitely was a process before getting started at my new job. Hopefully, all goes well for you!
Thank you so much for sharing! That actually makes me feel a little better. If you don't mind, which hospital are you working at?
The HR person actually told me nurses are exempt from quarantine in WA, and I can start work while my SSN is pending! I completed the whole background check for the hospital already too.
It's just the waiting game with CGFNS now; waiting is the worst part of all of this!!
Thank you so much for sharing! That actually makes me feel a little better. If you don't mind, which hospital are you working at?
The HR person actually told me nurses are exempt from quarantine in WA, and I can start work while my SSN is pending! I completed the whole background check for the hospital already too.
It's just the waiting game with CGFNS now; waiting is the worst part of all of this!!
Sounds like you'll be with a different hospital than me since the background checks are done a little differently! That's great you can do it ahead of time. Sadly it wasn't the decision of HR to wait to get an appointment at the SSN office. They have their own rules, but maybe they've changed since I came in October, which hopefully is the case for you! They asked their own screening questions and made me wait two weeks even though I told them I was an essential worker (I talked to their manager and everything, and they said no exceptions). Waiting is definitely the worst part! Good luck!
Thank you so much for this thread. It's been helpful. I'm just in the first steps of trying to figure this out, and I guess my other question would be how to visas work. Are those completely separate? What did you guys do to be eligible to work in the states?
Thank you so much for this thread. It's been helpful. I'm just in the first steps of trying to figure this out, and I guess my other question would be how to visas work. Are those completely separate? What did you guys do to be eligible to work in the states?
As an RN and a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you are able to apply for a TN (temporary, non-immigrant) visa to work in the US. My work put together a package for me, and I brought it to the US port of entry; they reviewed my documents, asked some questions, and issued a visa (stamp and stapled paper in my passport). TN can be issued for a maximum of 3 years but can be renewed. When you apply for jobs (after doing CGFNS and getting your license), you are eligible to work in the US. I hope that helps!
I didn't pay for the expedited version. Once all my documents were marked as "received,” I got my certificate quite shortly after that, so I think the expedited option is just a money grab. It doesn't let me direct message you either, but if you want to post your email address, I can send you an email.
Hey @jennycrands
How long did it take for your certificate to come after you sent all your documents in and it said "received"? I'm hoping to apply for Travel Nursing jobs in Cali asap, and my recruiter said that I wouldn't be able to secure them until I get my VisaScreen completed.
How long did it take for your certificate to come after you sent all your documents in and it said "received"? I'm hoping to apply for Travel Nursing jobs in Cali asap, and my recruiter said that I wouldn't be able to secure them until I get my VisaScreen completed.
Thanks!
It was about a month, I'm pretty sure, from the time I sent in everything. Once it switched to "received,” it was then "under review,” which was fast, and then "report issued.” After all, the documents were received, I got my certificate quite quickly (I don't remember the exact day counts though, sorry!).
analazo
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Thanks for answering; it did clear some doubts! When I searched for the requirements of the Illinois license, it stated either CFGNS, CES, or the visa screen are valid, so still a little unsure whether I have to do both CSE and visa screen or just one is sufficient.