This news is for foreign-trained Occupational Therapists in the United States who are working on converting their H1-B visas (work visa) to permanent resident status (greencard).
According to Immspec.com (U.S. Immigration Forms Processing Service for Foreign Nurses and Pharmacists), a company that describes itself as “an in-house immigration administration support specialist”, the Visa Screening program is described as follows:
Visa screening program verifies that the education of an alien healthcare worker seeking job in the United States is equivalent to that of his/her US educated counter part
An overview of visa screen certification:
U.S. immigration law now requires that healthcare professionals (except physicians) qualified outside the United States complete a screening program in order to qualify for certain US working visas. VisaScreen™, also known as Visa Credentials Assessment, enables healthcare workers to meet this requirement by verifying and evaluating their credentials to ensure compliance with the government’s minimum eligibility standards.
VisaScreen™ program is administrated by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), which is a division of CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). Candidates who successfully complete this program receive a VisaScreen™ Certificate. This certification authenticates that the foreign national’s education, license, training, and experience are comparable to that of a US healthcare professional.
Visa screen certificate can be presented to a consulate office, or in the case of Adjustment of Status, the Attorney General, as part of application process of an occupational visa. The visa screening program normally involves licensure verification, educational credentialing, English language proficiency testing (TOEFL, TSE, TWE), and a predictive exam (CGFNS Certificate).
The healthcare professionals who are required to obtain a VisaScreen™ Certificate before they can get an immigrant visa or permanent residence (“green card”) include occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, medical technicians (or clinical laboratory technicians), medical technologists (or clinical laboratory scientists), and physician assistants. With respect to the green card process, the VisaScreen Certificate is not required for an employer to file an I-140 immigrant petition on behalf of a foreign national to sponsor them for lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card). However, once the I-140 immigrant petition is approved, the beneficiary and foreign national must obtain the VisaScreen Certificate before they can be issued an immigrant visa.
To satisfy all federal screening requirements, a VisaScreen™ evaluation includes:
Educational Review
To make sure that the candidate’s education:
- Meets all appropriate, statutory and regulatory requirements for the occupation the applicant intends to practice.
- Is equivalent to that of a U.S. graduate seeking licensure.
Licensure Review
- To assess initial and current licenses, provided directly to ICHP by the issuing/validating institution, to confirm the applicant has completed all practice requirements and has no encumbrances.
English Language Skills Assessment
- To confirm that the applicant has reached a level of competency in oral and written English by submitting passing scores on a test approved by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Education.
(Take a look at the passing scores you will need to obtain – English Passing Scores)
Healthcare workers other than nurses do not need the NCLEX exam or CGFNS Certificate in order to apply for the Visa Screen Certificate.
For foreign-trained Occupational Therapists working in the United States, there are 2 agencies authorized that may issue the Visa Screen (valid for 5 years only) depending on the state where the educational credentialling is processed — the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and the CGFNS/ICHP. For example, in the state of New York, the educational credentialling agency is CGFNS/ICHP, whereas the states of Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma, visa screening is done through the NBCOT. The difference?
NBCOT: Visa Credential Verification Certificate (VCVC)
Access the link at the NBCOT website.
1. All first-time and renewing applicants are required to have passed the national certification examination for occupational therapists. Required within 1 year of passing the NBCOT.
2. First-time applicants are required to pass the English language proficiency tests (TOEFL, TSE, TWE or TOEFL iBT).
3. Renewing applicants, however, are not required to take the English language tests PROVIDED that they have not lived outside the U.S. for 3 consecutive years within the last 5 years prior to the renewal date.
4. Initial Certificate fee processing is $300.00 and certification renewal fee is $150.00
CGFNS/ICHP: Visa Screen Certificate
Access the link at the CGFNS website.
1. All first-time and renewing applicants are not required to pass the national certification examination examination for occupational therapists. Required for applicants currently processing immigration adjustment of status, who wish to be admitted, re-admitted, or extend their stay in the U.S. on or after July 26, 2004.
2. First-time and renewing applicants are required to keep their English proficiency test scores current (TOEFL, TSE, TWE or TOEFL iBT).
3. Initial certificate processing fee is $498.00, and certification renewal is $250.00.
NOTE: English proficiency test result validity is 2 years from examination date.
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CGFNS International. (1998, October). Visa Screen Program. Retrieved online on August 26, 2009 from website: http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/
Immspec.com. (2004, June). Visa Screen Overview. Retrieved online on August 26, 2009 from website: http://www.immspec.com/visa-screen.htm
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (2003, July). NBCOT Visa Credential Verification Certificate Program. Retrieved online on August 26, 2009 from website: http://www.nbcot.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=263&z=50
Pendergast, J. (2005). International Health Care Professional Migration. Journal of Nursing Law, 10, 208-213. Retrieved online on August 26, 2009 from website: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/int_healthcare_professional_migration_article.pdf
20 Comments on “Filing the Visa Screen Certificate for Foreign-Trained Occupational Therapists in the United States”
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Hello fellow nurses, with this forum I got an idea to ask the status of my pending petition at the NVC, that is why last week I e-mailed NVC and asked the status of my petition..After few days I received their reply…And this is their reply
“We are forwarding a duplicate DS-3032 (Choice of Agent and Address) form, as the form received at the NVC is invalid. The Choice of Agent form must be completed before we can continue processing. Please complete and sign this form, which is being sent to you in a separate envelope, and send it to this office.”
I am a little bit shocked And nervous about their reply, because as far as I remember before I submitted the form to my agency, I completely and appropriately filled the required form in the DS- 3032…And why I am being ask again to complete and sign this form???… My pds is on june06, and i am nervous that this would prolong my petition… Guys do you have any idea with this matter?? or does any one of you already experienced this case??? thank you very much…Your response will be highly appreciated……
Posted on February 14, 2012 at 1:02 PM.
Hello lovejca78,
Happy new year! You may renew now that your English tests are till current. I would advise you not to delay renewing.
Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:45 PM.
What if my Visa screen is expired for a year, do I have to file an initial certificate or just the renewal? My English test is still current. Is there any chance that the issuance of the certificate be expidited if an appointment date for interview is a month away?
Posted on December 17, 2011 at 6:23 AM.
Hello Elma,
I’m so sorry for this late reply. I would suggest going back to your college or university to inquire about possible job postings, or checking the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration to check if there are any hirings. Key to getting hired is getting the appropriate, qualifying examinations. Now would be a good time to work on those requirements. Good luck.
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:41 PM.
Hello Gary,
You may give a copy of your VCVC to your immigration lawyer as it is part of the supporting documentation for your pathway to citizenship in the US. Congratulations.
Posted on September 8, 2011 at 7:37 PM.
Hi.. I have received my VCVC from NBCOT, what should be the next step.
Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:51 PM.
hi ,i came across this website,im a pt but have no local license..am i qualified to have my credentials evaluated for possible job hunting in the us.
Posted on April 23, 2011 at 4:08 PM.
Maria Melissa,
Are you an OTR or a nurse? If your Visa Screen is not expiring yet, you need to send a formal letter of request for correction to ICHP to let them know about this error. If your Visa Screen is about to expire and you are about to renew, make sure you fill out the form properly (NOTE: Item #3)of this link: http://www.cgfns.org/files/pdf/apps/VisaScreenReApp.pdf
I hope this helps. Let me know how else I can help you.
Good luck,
Iris
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 6:58 AM.
Hello Imee,
I forgot to mention that each state has a different ways of performing the credentialling process for each profession. Consider the state rules and regulations for your profession in the state of your entry. If you are going to work as a pharmacist in Delaware, check the regulations for credentialling in the state of Delaware. Also, it will help if you are guided properly by an immigration lawyer to prepare your documents for you.
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 6:50 AM.
Hello Imee,
I’m so sorry I did not see this one sooner. Are you already in the US? The Visa Screen is required for those foreign workers already in the US. For OTs like me, they are required within a year after passing the NBCOT Examinations. My suggestion is, do not apply for it until it is asked for. The Visa Screen is part of your required documents to maintain your immigration status once you pass your test and begin working in the US.
Best of luck!
Iris
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 6:44 AM.
hi, I have already a visa screen certificate..my problem is I want to change my name from ma. into complete maria .In my visa screen it is only written in ma . instead of complete maria. My real name is maria melissa d. runez. Im afraid that the consular officer might question this. What is the steps in order to inform the ICHP correction of name for visa screen certificate ..thank you .
Posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:48 PM.
Hi Iris. I came across this link.
http://www.icdeval.com/evaluation/pharmeval.shtml
Should i apply for the visa screen? Since i want to work in the US as a healthcare professional?
thank you.
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 10:15 PM.
Hello, Imee. I am not sure if you are applying as an OT or as a pharmacist. Anyway, pharmacists are also classified under specialty occupations along with RNs, PTs and OTs. If you are coming to the US through a working visa status (H1-B), then it will be required as part of your credentialing process to qualify for the US State Board Examinations. At least for RNs, PTs and OTs, that is the case. The Visa Screen serves as an assurance to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that you are duly qualified through your education to provide the service in lieu of hiring an American citizen.
Iris De La Calzada´s last [type] ..An Irish Blessing
Posted on October 25, 2010 at 12:18 PM.
does a license pharmacist from the philippines needs to have a visa screening if she/he wants to work as a professional healthcare in the US?
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 12:41 PM.
Yes, there have been a few. In those cases, wither there was a problem with the required paperwork in terms of the need for the position petitioned for, a change in the job description, or the termination of the agreement between the employer and the employee. In some cases, even a mere name change can cause your EB1/EB2 petition to be denied.
Posted on June 28, 2010 at 8:33 PM.
has there been any case where an applicant filing for EB2/EB1 visa from H1B was rejected by the INS or CIS?? thanks
Posted on June 24, 2010 at 3:30 PM.
You will have a higher risk when you adjust your H1-B status to permanent resident status since the Visa Credential Certificate is one of the important documents supporting your qualifications as a practicing professional. Also, as a license holder in any profession, especially if you are in healthcare, it is your responsibility to keep all your credentials valid and current in order to work.
Posted on May 22, 2010 at 8:38 PM.
what happened if i did not renew my visa screen certificate before the expiration date and paln to renew it later?
Posted on May 19, 2010 at 5:37 PM.
Hello Charlotte,
I have replied to you via your private email address to this question.
Posted on December 19, 2009 at 10:32 PM.
Hi, I find this very informative and I your postings are a big help. I just want to confirm something regarding TOEFL expiration. Is it true that TOEFL will not expire in 2 years time if we have filed for Visa Screen? Is visa screen certificate and visa screen credentialing the same? And in filing this, shall I do that with USCIS or NBCOT. Sorry, I am just so confused, but your information would be a big help. Thanks!
Posted on December 19, 2009 at 6:36 AM.