What is the CGFNS?
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) was established to ensure that nurses educated outside the United States are eligible and qualified to meet licensure and practice requirements in the U.S. The CGFNS certificate is earned after successful completion of the following components:

• Passing score on the CGFNS Exam
• Passing score on the TOEFL or IELTS Exam
• A review of credentials, education and licensure
  

Do I need the CGFNS Certificate?
Yes and No. To file an immigrant VISA petition (Form I-140), a CGFNS certificate or full unrestricted license to practice in a State of intended employment (NCLEX) is required according to "Federal Immigration Regulations". However, under current INS practice, NCLEX may substitute for the CGFNS certificate if the nurse will be employed in a state like California or Florida where the State Nursing Board does not specifically require a CGFNS certificate.

Please remember that the CGFNS exam result is not sufficient. The CGFNS certificate is needed. To obtain a CGFNS certificate, the nurse must pass the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) or IELTS.

What is the TOEFL Exam?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) evaluates the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. The test has four sections: Test of Written English (TWE), listening, structure, and reading.

What is the TSE Exam?
The Test of Spoken English (TSE) measures the ability to communicate orally in English. The test requires an oral response to printed and recorded information on tape under timed conditions. This test is administered separately from the TOEFL exam.

What is the IELTS Exam?
IELTS tests the complete range of English language skills which will commonly be encountered by students when studying or training in the medium of English.  All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is an option of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing Modules. Nurses planning to come to the U.S. on a Green Card need to take the Academic Reading and Writing Modules. The IELTS exam can be taken in place of the TOEFL, TWE & TSE exams.

What is the Visa Screen Certificate?
The Visa Screen Certificate is used to certify that an individual's home country education is equivalent to a Nursing education in the United States and that the candidate's written and spoken English skills are at an acceptable level. A Visa Screen Certificate is presented to a consular office, or in the case of adjustment of status, to the Attorney General as part of the visa application.

When should I take the TOEFL or IELTS exam?
You can take the TOEFL or IELTS at the same time you take the CGFNS exam if you think you are prepared for it.

What are my fees?
MedRP will pay for all fees associated with the Greencard process and immigration to the United States. We do require a deposit that will be refunded when the nurse starts work.

Do I have to terminate my present employment to apply for sponsorship?
No, we encourage you to finish and honor your contract with your present employer.

What is the length of the contract with MedRP?
The contract period is based on the number of hours worked as an RN in the United States. The terms vary by skill set and years of experience.

What happens if I do not work for MedRP?
EB3 program is designed to facilitate the sponsorship of foreign national nurses to work in the U.S. to alleviate the shortage of qualified American nurses. When a nurse with an EB3 visa comes to the U.S. with no intention of fulfilling their contract to work with the petitioning company, a crime called VISA FRAUD is committed. This is against the law. If the INS records indicate that the individual never worked for the petitioning EB3 employer, then the INS can deny the application for citizenship and may place the individual for deportation.

What happens if I leave MedRP before fulfilling my commitment?
In return for immigrant visa sponsorship, the nurse is obligated by U.S. law to work as a MEDRP employee for the full term of the agreement. Financial penalties are incurred if the nurse leaves before completing their commitment.

Can I choose the state where I want to be employed?
You may state your preferences and MEDRP will do our best to accommodate your wishes.

Can my family come with me?
Yes. You can include your spouse and children who are unmarried and less than 21 years of age in the EB3 immigration paperwork for an additional charge to cover the legal services.

Is it possible to have a tourist visa changed to an immigrant visa?
If you come to the US on a tourist visa, you have to wait 60 days before an adjustment of status application and work authorization request can be filed on your behalf. Both of these applications would take about 90 days to complete which would mean, you have to wait for 150 days before you can work legally as a nurse.

Where will I live when I arrive in the United States?
MedRP will provide free 1 month board and lodging as soon as you arrive in the US.

Must I submit my original documents for review?
ICHP will only accept original verification from issuing agencies. All validation of registration and licenses and the applicant's professional school transcript of record must come directly from the issuing authority to ICHP. ICHP in turn will validate all these documents with the source.

What if my documents are not in English?
A certified English translation with a certificate of authenticity by the translator must accompany any credential not in English. ICHP will accept translation of documents submitted by source agencies only from the issuing authorities. Otherwise, ICHP can provide an official translation for each document for an additional fee.

Do I need my licenses validated to complete my visa screen application?
Yes. CGFNS requires all visa screen applicants to provide validation of all licenses held past and present and sent directly to CGFNS from the issuing authorities.

Can I provide a photocopy of my license instead of a validation?
No. CGFNS requires that official validations of licenses must be completed and sent directly from the issuing authorities.

Where is the Visa Screen certificate issued?
The visa screen certificate is issued directly to the applicant who then presents it to the consular office to complete the visa application.