visa screen process as immigration requirement

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 14, 2006

hi guys,
can you please enlighten me on this subject... my question concerns the visa screen process. from what i've surf from other postings, one of the requirements to obtain the visa screen certificate is to EITHER pass the nclex exams or cgfns exams (besides passing the ielts and undergoing the necessary credentials verification by cgfns). however, i'm confused because a number of people i've talked in the Philippines claim that you need the cgfns certificate if you want an immigrant status ("an nclex per se would only entitle you to a working visa" - they claim). i intend to work either in new york or california (non-cgfns states). what's the real score with the regards to this? do i really need to get a cgfns certificate to satisfy the immigration requirement?

Some states require CGFNS exam but all states require NCLEX. For immigration you need a pass in either but to work as RN you need to pass NCLEX. If you are applying to CA or NY and don't need CGFNS then I wouldn't do it just pass NCLEX. I believe that you would have more success finding an employer with a NCLEX pass. You will get a immigration status with NCLEX

am17sg05 · Oct 14, 2006

if you want to work in california or new york,you just need to pass nclex and english exam(toefl/tse or ielts).apply for visa screen because that is one of the requirements to be a permanent resident.you can check all the requirements for the visa screen at cgfns.org.

nursedandy · Oct 14, 2006

hi guys,
can you please enlighten me on this subject... my question concerns the visa screen process. from what i've surf from other postings, one of the requirements to obtain the visa screen certificate is to EITHER pass the nclex exams or cgfns exams (besides passing the ielts and undergoing the necessary credentials verification by cgfns). however, i'm confused because a number of people i've talked in the Philippines claim that you need the cgfns certificate if you want an immigrant status ("an nclex per se would only entitle you to a working visa" - they claim). i intend to work either in new york or california (non-cgfns states). what's the real score with the regards to this? do i really need to get a cgfns certificate to satisfy the immigration requirement?

Im sure you dont need both cg and nclex for an immigrant visa. If you already passed nclex and decided to practice in those states the requires cgfns you can just apply for CES (credential evaluation service) from cgfns instead of taking the cgfns exam.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 14, 2006

Im sure you dont need both cg and nclex for an immigrant visa. If you already passed nclex and decided to practice in those states the requires cgfns you can just apply for CES (credential evaluation service) from cgfns instead of taking the cgfns exam.

I think if state requires CGFNS exam and you have only lived in the US for a few years then you still have to take the exam not just get CES

suzanne4, RN · Oct 14, 2006

to clear up a few points that are here:

1. us immigration requires passing of either cgfns exam or nclex-rn exam. it does not require both.

2. if a state requires the cgfns exam, a credentials eval (ces) cannot be substituted for it. and if the ces is requires, the cgfns exam is not a substitute for that either, unless a state specifically states that they will accept it.

3. to take the cgfns exam, it does not require the full credentials eval, only that you had the appropriate amount of hours in each of the required subjects specificed by cgfns.

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there is no such thing as a working visa offered for the us, only the permanent residency, or green card. there are many inaccurate rumors floating around manila, and this is just another one of them.

nursedandy · Oct 15, 2006

Im sure you dont need both cg and nclex for an immigrant visa. If you already passed nclex and decided to practice in those states the requires cgfns you can just apply for CES (credential evaluation service) from cgfns instead of taking the cgfns exam.

Want to stress that this is based on my own experience, its not the usual route. Just want to share that there are other options nurses can consider aside from the usual route of taking the cgfns exam. It has been a long time belief from the nurses community that you CANNOT practice in other state if you did not took the cgfns exam. It not true . You can ask for license endorsement to massachusetts and to other state using NCLEX and CES. Like what super suzzane posted: UNLESS THE STATE SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THEY WILL ACCEPT IT(CES). So, try to inquire with the state BON you wish to work. I hope others members in this forum can share their similar experience.:monkeydance:

suzanne4, RN · Oct 15, 2006

That is what is going on in Manila, not other places. There are many agencies there that tell the nurses that they must have CGFNS to work in the US. The fact is that there are only about five states that require it, and will not permit endorsement without it, unless years of US experience.

Same way that some are telling nurses that have taken the IELTS and have taken the NCLEX exam, that they will still need to take the TOEFL exam to work in CA. I wish I could get a US dollar for each rumor that starts there.

Most have decided to go with the CES for their requirements, but it is not interchangeable with the CGFNS exam. They are very different.

To work in the US: Either NCLEX-RN or CGFNS exam, and a passing series of English exams. Those are the only requirements. A few years ago, many states required the CGFNS exam, but that is no longer the case, and has not been for some time.

arys1075 · Oct 16, 2006

That is what is going on in Manila, not other places. There are many agencies there that tell the nurses that they must have CGFNS to work in the US. The fact is that there are only about five states that require it, and will not permit endorsement without it, unless years of US experience.
Same way that some are telling nurses that have taken the IELTS and have taken the NCLEX exam, that they will still need to take the TOEFL exam to work in CA. I wish I could get a US dollar for each rumor that starts there.
Most have decided to go with the CES for their requirements, but it is not interchangeable with the CGFNS exam. They are very different.
To work in the US: Either NCLEX-RN or CGFNS exam, and a passing series of English exams. Those are the only requirements. A few years ago, many states required the CGFNS exam, but that is no longer the case, and has not been for some time.

What Ms Suzanne4 said is true. I took NCLEX in London directly without taking actual CGFNS exam. Although you need to show CGFNS (visa screen) certificate from CES. Don't be confused about these 2. I also took IELTS last year and I applied in CA.

juliet72 · Oct 16, 2006

:wink2: thank you everyone for all your inputs.

suzanne4, RN · Oct 16, 2006

what ms suzanne4 said is true. i took nclex in london directly without taking actual cgfns exam. although you need to show cgfns (visa screen) certificate from ces. don't be confused about these 2. i also took ielts last year and i applied in ca.

the visa screen certificate is not the same as the cgfns certificate.

visa screen certificate: requires passing of either nclex-rn or cgfns exam and the english exams, if not waived for your country. actually handled thru ichp, which is a sister company of cgfns.

cgfns certificate: what you receive when you pass the cgfns exam, and one of the required basic english exams, such as toeic, toefl, or ielts.

ces: credentials evaluation done by cgfns, and does not give a certificate. it is required by some boards of nursing before they will permit you to take the nclex-rn exam.

hope that this clears up things for all of you.