Visa Screen Question

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I am a Canadian RN, interested in working in the US. I passed the NCLEX in 1996, and have been licensed in the US in several states. I am wondering if anyone knows how long the visa screen is taking now? I don't need to write the English exam, I guess I just need to get the verifications in, etc. I heard last year that it can take up to 18 months, and I'm just wondering if that is still the case. Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I am a Canadian RN, interested in working in the US. I passed the NCLEX in 1996, and have been licensed in the US in several states. I am wondering if anyone knows how long the visa screen is taking now? I don't need to write the English exam, I guess I just need to get the verifications in, etc. I heard last year that it can take up to 18 months, and I'm just wondering if that is still the case. Thanks!

It can take approx 4 months if all documentation is correct. Have a look in the international forum as this has been asked a few times by several people

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In recent news, due to security precautions after 9-11-01 it is taking up to three years before Filipina nurses can finally get their visas cleared to work legally in the U.S. A process that usually lasted less than three months is now taking years. It is a shame because the U.S. is suffering a critical shortage of nurses.

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In recent news, due to security precautions after 9-11-01 it is taking up to three years before Filipina nurses can finally get their visas cleared to work legally in the U.S. A process that usually lasted less than three months is now taking years. It is a shame because the U.S. is suffering a critical shortage of nurses.

Is it taking that long just for that particular group of nurses? That seems wrong! I was hoping that the government might have taken the shortage into consideration, and changed things.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

For visa screen processing, it usually takes 3 to 4 four months to be issued by ICHP if all your requirements are complete.

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For visa screen processing, it usually takes 3 to 4 four months to be issued by ICHP if all your requirements are complete.

This is probably a stupid question but, what is ICHP? Thanks for your reply!

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This is probably a stupid question but, what is ICHP? Thanks for your reply!

International Commission on Healthcare Professions

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International Commission on Healthcare Professions

Ok, thanks. I have never heard of them before. I thought that I just needed to deal with CGFNS.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
Ok, thanks. I have never heard of them before. I thought that I just needed to deal with CGFNS.

You will deal both of them. Good luck!

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ICHP and CGFNS are under the same umbrella. That is why when your documents are submitted to CGFNS, they can be used by ICHP. You use the same number for both.

Since you are from Canada, your wait on average should just be three to four months. Visa Screen has nothing to do with the actual granting of a visa by UCBIS, it is just a screening tool.

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ICHP and CGFNS are under the same umbrella. That is why when your documents are submitted to CGFNS, they can be used by ICHP. You use the same number for both.

Since you are from Canada, your wait on average should just be three to four months. Visa Screen has nothing to do with the actual granting of a visa by UCBIS, it is just a screening tool.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm not looking forward to this whole process...

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