American Association of Foreign Educated Nurses

Immigration Process

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Immigration Process



HOW TO IMMIGRATE AND WORK AS A NURSE IN THE US

 

We have been asked by nurses from around the World "How do I begin the process of emigrating to the US to work as a nurse?" Below, we've have a check list that nurses can follow as they begin their journey. Although a nurse is able to submit all the paperwork themselves, it is recommended that a nurse work through a recruiter. International Nurse Recruiters are experienced in the immigration process, and can save time and money on the whole process.
 
 

NURSES NOT RESIDING IN THE US
 

Before the Registered Nurse (RN) may be employed in the US, it is necessary to complete several steps as presented below:

Step 1. The RN must have a diploma in nursing and an unrestricted and unencumbered nursing license from the nurse's home country.

Step 2. The RN must take an English language exam demonstrating their proficiency in English.

The tests that are acceptable are: TOEFL iBT, IELTS and TOEIC.

Step 3. Obtain a CGFNS Certificate.

The CGFNS Certification Program Certificate is required of internationally-educated registered nurses by a majority of U.S. states in order to take the NCLEX-RN® licensure examination.

The CGFNS International Certification Program is a three-part program designed to predict an applicant's likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN® examination and becoming licensed as a registered nurse in the United States. The three parts of the program include a credentials review, a Qualifying Exam of nursing knowledge and an English language proficiency examination. Applicants must successfully complete all three parts of the Certification Program in order to earn the CGFNS Certificate.

Step 4. Obtain a VisaScreen Certficate.

The VisaScreen Certificate is issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).  VisaScreen includes an educational review, licensure review, English language skills assessment and passage of one of two approved examinations for registered nurses (CGFNS International Qualifying Exam or NCLEX-RN).

The VisaScreen Certificate is different from the CGFNS Certificate, although most of the requirements of the VisaScreen Certificate are satisfied by the CGFNS Certificate.

Step 5. The VisaScreen Certificate can now be presented to a consular officer as part of immigrant visa petition (Form I-140). Typically, the visa petition will be approved in two to three months.


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