The visa screening system is through which the visa screening certificates are issued to healthcare professionals seeking immigrant entry and ultimately, employment in the United States of America.
The need for the recruitment of foreign trained nurses arose when during a critical shortage for nursing personnel. It is estimated that the current shortfall would escalate to 800,000 by the year 2020. But after 9/11, the immigration system has become quite meticulous and and now, presents innumerable procedural hurdles. Therefore, the visa screening system offers an effective screening system for potentially low risk applicants like nurses and health care professionals, without compromising the healthcare standards stringent in the US.
The visa screening certificate is issued by the International Commission on Healthcare Professionals (ICHP), a division of Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, or CGFNS. The latter is an internationally recognized authority responsible for credentials evaluation and verification on the registration, education and licensure of healthcare professionals and nurses around the world.
The test for visa screening certificate requires you to submit your complete academic and professional educational records. You are additionally required to clear the three steps of the visa screening process. First, they must qualify for a creditable review, which is followed by a test of candidates’ nursing knowledge called the CGFNS examination. The third and final pre-requisite is the confirmation of English language proficiency in both oral and written, either through Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum score required to compete depends upon the profession that the applicant is applying for.
An exemption to the English language proficiency tests could be made if the applicant’s entry-level professional education has occurred in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, Ireland or the United States or if the applicant produces proof of employment in the United States for at least 27 months.
The visa screening test is a compulsory requirement for the following foreign health care professionals: registered nurse, licensed practical or vocational nurse, audiologist, speech language pathologist, physical therapist, physician assistant, medical laboratory technicians and medical laboratory technologists who are seeking employment in the US.
Once the visa screening certificate has been issued, it is submitted along with the required documents to the US embassy which facilitates the issuance of the occupational visas like H-1B, H-2B, Trade NAFTA status or the permanent (green card) visas as specified under the section 343 illegal immigration reform and immigrant responsibility act.
Further requirements include a visa medical examination which must be be taken 6 months before the departure, for the screening of health related conditions; a pre-departure medical screening 3 weeks before the departure and pre-embarkation checks taken 24 to 48 hours before the departure.