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.)
Hi suzanne I just want to ask if it is possible for me to be given a visa screen certificate without a local board exam here in the philippines, because according to my sisters lawyer local board exam is a must in VSC, but one of my friend in the NURSES FORUM told me that it is not a requirement(LOCAL BOARD EXAM)... please HELP ME:nurse: :rotfl:
THANK YOU
Your sister's lawyer does not know US immigration law. The law states that the nurse must pass either CGFNS exam or the NCLEX-RN exam. No where does it state anything about a local license as a requirement. ADN that is the requirement for the Visa Screen Certificate.
You are better off not taking the NLE if asking for my opinion. The nurses that took that exam this past June, 2006 are currently unable to get the VSC based on that exam.
The CGFNS exam has a requirement of a local license to be able to write the CGFNS exam, but only five states out of 50 require that exam.
Unfortunately, I am seeing immigration attorneys telling a foreign nurse that they need to take the CGFNS exam as it is required by most states and that is very old information. Guess that her attorney does not specialize in nurses. And that is very important.
Thank you suzanne ... Now I understand, I pass IELTS already and will be taking NCLEX exam on April 20 at HONGKONG after passing I'll apply for a visa screen without local license
Thank you suzanne ... Now I understand, I pass IELTS already and will be taking NCLEX exam on April 20 at HONGKONG after passing I'll apply for a visa screen without local license.
You have it correct. The local license is required if you were to take the CGFNS exam, but that is no longer required by most states. And for some insane reason, most immigtration attorneys are not aware of this major change.
thank you suzanne, it really help me because its been a long time that this issue bothers me... I don't have plans of getting the local board here in the philippines for some personal reason. thanks again
Can I apply for a visa screen certificate even if I passed IELTS only?My NCLEX exam is scheduled April 2007.Some said its possible others think otherwise.Thanks for your reply
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi,
Can I apply for a visa screen certificate even if I passed IELTS only?My NCLEX exam is scheduled April 2007.Some said its possible others think otherwise.Thanks for your reply
you can apply for VSC anytime but you must remember you have 12 months to submit everything if you don't you will have to re-register. Once they issue VSC I believe it is valid for 5 years
hi regarding VSC yes you can apply anytym but try to think abt the 12 mos, i suggest you wait first for the result of you NCLEX exam, ill be having my nclex exam on april too that is 20 ang HK is my test site. how abt u?
Try to pass NCLEX or CGFNS first before applying for the Visa Screen. Then while on the process of processing your Visa Screen, take IELTS or other English exam and pass it.
I was from Taiwan and studied & graduated from ADN in TN, USA last Dec. and have just passed NCLEX and got my RN licensure number on 1/29,2007. yeah!! I'm so excited.
OK.... now, my question is... I recieved trainning in usa, so does that mean I'm exempt for the English test(like TOFEL I.e.) for the VSC?
I can only stay until the end of Feb after I graudated. I'm somewhat confused about what to do next. I posted my resume on webs and hope to have a hospital to contact me. nothing new yet. I know I need to apply for a visa screen, which form on USCIS should I obtain and fill out? Anyone kindly recommends a dependable lawyer who is good at this will be so much appreciated (I am in West TN). The hospital where I practiced as an intern did not do such a sponsorship thing despite my director has helped me to talk with them. and several nearby hospitals did not do such a thing, either. I was very upset but I'm not losing my hope.
I wish every one good luck!
and thanks for Suzanne's effort to keep us informed the updates.
I was from Taiwan and studied & graduated from ADN in TN, USA last Dec. and have just passed NCLEX and got my RN licensure number on 1/29,2007. yeah!! I'm so excited.
OK.... now, my question is... I received training in USA, so does that mean I'm exempt for the English test(like TOFEL I.e.) for the VSC?
I can only stay until the end of Feb after I graduated. I'm somewhat confused about what to do next. I posted my resume on webs and hope to have a hospital to contact me. nothing new yet. I know I need to apply for a visa screen, which form on USCIS should I obtain and fill out? Anyone kindly recommends a dependable lawyer who is good at this will be so much appreciated (I am in West TN). The hospital where I practiced as an intern did not do such a sponsorship thing despite my director has helped me to talk with them. and several nearby hospitals did not do such a thing, either. I was very upset but I'm not losing my hope.
I wish every one good luck!
and thanks for Suzanne's effort to keep us informed the updates.
YES, YOU ARE EXEMPTED FROM ENGLISH EXAM.... CONGRATS BY THE WAY
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
Your sister's lawyer does not know US immigration law. The law states that the nurse must pass either CGFNS exam or the NCLEX-RN exam. No where does it state anything about a local license as a requirement. ADN that is the requirement for the Visa Screen Certificate.
You are better off not taking the NLE if asking for my opinion. The nurses that took that exam this past June, 2006 are currently unable to get the VSC based on that exam.
The CGFNS exam has a requirement of a local license to be able to write the CGFNS exam, but only five states out of 50 require that exam.
Unfortunately, I am seeing immigration attorneys telling a foreign nurse that they need to take the CGFNS exam as it is required by most states and that is very old information. Guess that her attorney does not specialize in nurses. And that is very important.