Visa Screen, Credentials Assessment Certificate
All foreign national healthcare workers educated outside of the U.S. who are seeking temporary or permanent visas or a TN-visa, NAFTA status are required to provide an International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP) Visa Screen Certificate. It proves to the USCIS, for visa purposes, that the healthcare workers education, training, licensing and experience of a non U.S. educated healthcare professional have met U.S. standards. It is different from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) certificate needed to take state licensing examinations in the U.S. The following healthcare professionals are so covered:
- Audiologists
- Licensed practical nurses
- Medical laboratory technicians
- Medical technicians
- Occupational therapists
- Physician assistants
- Physical therapists
- Registered nurses
- Speech language pathologists
- Vocational nurses
Certificates are valid for 5 years and cost between $500 and $750 and certified transcripts of schooling records and a diploma will be needed. In addition for a visa the applicant will need to pass the English as a foreign language examination (TOEFL).
