visascreen extended to 2005.

News Release

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Kathleen Rohrbaugh / 215.387.6950, ext. 319

[email protected]

Homeland Security Extends Deadline For Screening

Of Certain Foreign Healthcare Workers In U.S. ;

CGFNS Says Delay Offers Responsible And Targeted Relief

Philadelphia, PA - July 20, 2004 - The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) welcomed the decision yesterday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend the deadline for Mexican and Canadian healthcare workers to obtain a special visa certification to deliver patient care and services in the U.S. The new deadline will be July 26, 2005. The extension will apply only to Mexican and Canadian citizens who were licensed and employed before September 23, 2003, in the U.S. in one of seven specific healthcare occupations, including nursing, and who previously were exempt under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). These Trade NAFTA (TN) healthcare workers would have been required for the first time to obtain the special visa certification if they had sought to enter the U.S. after July 26, 2004. The DHS rules are intended to ensure that foreign healthcare workers meet the professional training and standards necessary to provide patient care in U.S. hospitals and clinical facilities.

This is what was just posted, however, pay close attention that this only applies to Canandian and Mexican nurses who were already licensed and working in the US prior to 23 September, 2003.

Hope that this helps.