CGFNS Visascreen and CES Processing Time Canadian RN

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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!

cdom12 said:

Hi everyone, hoping someone on this thread can answer my question regarding completing the Visa Screen AND CES

I'm in the process of trying to relocate from Toronto, Canada, to Colorado. I wrote my NCLEX and had been working as an RN in Canada for two years.

I understand that I have to complete the Visa Screen for immigration purposes, and it looks like on the CGFNS website that I also need to complete a CES. I have started the Visa Screen process, but just from what I've read about the CES, it seems like it requires similar documents to the Visa Screen... so my question is, would I be sending in duplicate documents, or if I purchase a CES the documents sent in for my Visa Screen will also be used to fulfill the requirements of the CES? 

 

Thanks for your help! 

Hey! I had to do the visa screen and the CES report and they just used the documents I sent in for my visa screen. I hope that helps!

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Hi! I am also waiting for my Visa screen and Washington State license endorsement. Do I need a CES report to get a TN Visa? Washington state did not require me to submit a CES report, so I don't have it yet.

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Yozell Rivera-Timbol said:

Hi! I am also waiting for my Visa screen and Washington State license endorsement. Do I need a CES report to get a TN Visa? Washington state did not require me to submit a CES report, so I don't have it yet.

I did need to do the CES report for my Washington state license! 

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jennycrands said:
Misstheo said:

I am currently going through it, and it's a non-starter if you're in Ontario. Both the CNO and both my nursing schools (RPN and RN) are unable to process the forms in person due to restrictions with office workers and the pandemic. They can only do electronic forms at this point in time. CGFNS also are not helpful as they do not accept electronic documents. I've been in process since May, and CGFNS has received nothing from my nursing board or schools. It likely is different in other provinces. Are you in BC? I ended up getting a full-time temp job locally while I waited.

Hey!! Were you ever able to figure it out with CNO??

 

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It's all done now. The whole process took about six months. CNO sends everything electronically. I suspect they may be a bit faster now as they've adapted to remote pandemic working.

 

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Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experience. 

I have a question about the application process. I have passed NCLEX and have an active license in Ontario. I am in the process of applying to Arizona. My question is, since I have passed NCLEX, do I apply through Examination or Endorsement? I tried to fill out the application via Endorsement, but it did not have the option to choose Canadian provinces. It just had the states from the USA. 

If I apply through Examination, how does that work? Do I ask CNO to send the NCLEX results to Arizona BON? 

Please help if you have any suggestions. This process is very confusing. 

I also found out that Arizona does not require CES or CGFNS reports for Canadian-educated nurses. All I have to do is fill out the application, and ask CNO to send my NCLEX results and license verification. 

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Hey there, 

The process is rather confusing, no matter what state you apply to. 
Generally speaking, you'd apply via endorsement as you're already registered and passed the NCLEX. I would just call the BON and ask about where to insert Ontario and ensure they do the license via Canadian endorsement. 

The visa screen is required for your visa to work in the United States. Even if the state doesn't require it, it's required to gain your TN visa and get work authorization. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on that one. 

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HeatherLemon said:

Hey there, 

The process is rather confusing, no matter what state you apply to. 
Generally speaking, you'd apply via endorsement as you're already registered and passed the NCLEX. I would just call the BON and ask about where to insert Ontario and ensure they do the license via Canadian endorsement. 

The visa screen is required for your visa to work in the United States. Even if the state doesn't require it, it's required to gain your TN visa and get work authorization. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on that one. 

Thank you for your reply. I talked with the Arizona BON, and they said I would have to apply via Examination and ask Ontario BON to send my NCLEX results to Arizona BON.

I am not planning to move on a TN visa. I am going with my husband under a different type of visa. Arizona BON said that if they want CES or Visa Screen, then they will let me know once the application has been submitted. So let's see. Hopefully, I will be exempt from that step. 

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative and Dialysis.

Hi There, I know it's an old thread, but I would like to ask you a question. Is TN Visa or CGFNS visa screen is same as working in the USA???  Any Response is appreciated.

TIA

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jessie09 said:

Hi There, I know it's an old thread, but I would like to ask you a question. Is TN Visa or CGFNS visa screen is same as working in the USA???  Any Response is appreciated.

TIA

Hey,

Your CGFNS certificate is just an evaluation of your credentials which you need if you went to school in Canada and want to work in the US. The type of work visa or work permit you get depends on your eligibility to work there. So they are different. I hope that helps!

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Specializes in Emergency Room Nursing.
jessie09 said:

Hi There, I know it's an old thread, but I would like to ask you a question. Is TN Visa or CGFNS visa screen is same as working in the USA???  Any Response is appreciated.

TIA

I'm actually going through this process right now. 
CGFNS visa screen, you submit all your documents. They evaluate you to determine if the education and requirements are the same and if you are eligible for legal practice in the USA. Once they deem you eligible, they send you documents confirming a TN VISA, which is the work visa you bring to the border to be able to get across the border. So it is the same in regards to what you're asking. You would only pay one fee for this service. 
 

however they do have a couple of other services, such as retaining your documents and sending them to specific states for licensure, which is a separate fee, and some stages do require this from them. Always check your requirements first. And If you do require this, you just submit another fee, no need to submit new documents. 
 

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative and Dialysis.
jennycrands said:

Hey,

Your CGFNS certificate is just an evaluation of your credentials which you need if you went to school in Canada and want to work in the US. The type of work visa or work permit you get depends on your eligibility to work there. So they are different. I hope that helps!

Thank you! Jennycrands  and vikkipink.

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