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Nurses who wish to obtain a green card, immigrant visa have several tests to complete. These are listed in US immigration laws. In order to file the first step of the visa process, the I-140, there must be proof of CGFNS score of 400 or a nursing license in the state of hire. A nursing license in all states requires NCLEX examination. Many states also require the CGFNS exam of all foriegn nurse applicants. There are a a few states that do not.

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From the time of the filing of the I-140, we are estimating approximately, one year. The I-140 requires CGFNS or US nursing license. After the filing of the I-140, the candidate may need to take the TOFEL and TSE. Also, the nursing school transcripts must be sent from the college to the CGFNS ICHP for review. In addition,packet three must be signed and submitted. All of this is put together for a Visa Screen from ICHP... which the candidate must have at the last step, the Embassy interview. Each of these pose the risk of delays, if there are any complications.

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The US immigration process for Philippine nurses currently takes at least one year from the time the I-140 is filed. It does require the nurse have proof of a score of 400 minimum on the CGFNS examination or be licensed in one of the states of the USA as well as a US employer sponsor. Any of our nurse hires may work in any position in any country during this time of processing. Please keep us informed as to your address. In addition, our attorneys may arrange your embassy interview in the country you are working. However, when the visa is issued to the nurse, you must travel to USA within 6 months according to law or the visa is invalid. In addition, CHW-AZ requires our new nurse hires to start work as soon as possible. The nurse who does not arrive within the time allowed for the visa, would have broken their contract. This means the nurse must finacially reimburse CHW-AZ for the monies spend in their behalf.

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This poses a challenge! CGFNS is also given in Eygpt and Jordan. You can review the cities by going to the CGFNS web site, see our Related Links. In addition, many Philippine nurse's take an annual trip home to Philippines. Perhaps arrange your trip during the test day. CGFNS is given 4 times yearly. Application must be submitted at least several months in advance of the test. A Philippine nurse might also travel to the USA, if eligible for a US Tourist Visa. In addition, the NCLEX exam is given in US Territories. Saipan does not require a US Tourist Visa to enter for a short visit.

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A nonimmigrant in the H-1B category is an alien who is coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform services in a "specialty occupation". The alien is qualified through the appropriate degree, or through a combination of education and experience equivalent to that degree. The worker may be entering the U.S. for the first time or may already be working in the U.S., but pursuing a change of employer. The foreign worker must prove that he or she is qualified for the specialty occupation and the particular job offered. One method is to obtain a credentials evaluation of their foreign university degree, to show that it is equivalent to that of a U.S. degree. If the worker is already in the U.S. and holds a valid nonimmigrant status, the H-1B visa can be extended and revalidated in the U.S. If, on the other hand, the worker is not in lawful status, or resides abroad, the H-1B visa must be obtained through a U.S. Consulate. Since the H-1B visa is considered a temporary visa, there is a limitation on periods of stay. The initial periods of stay may be approved for up to 3 years (usually depending on the occupation and/or the needs of the employer). And after that, another 3 years are available, by filing forms for and extension of stay. After the six years, the worker must spend one year outside the U.S. before being entitled to another H-1B visa. However, many workers take steps to obtain permanent residence (the Green Card) during their initial stay.

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Permanent residence status, symbolized to many people by the so-called "green card", which is actually pink, confers on foreign nationals the right to live and work in the U.S. without time limitations. The two most common ways to obtain permanent residence is by close family ties to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or through employment with a U.S.-based employer. For purposes of this discussion, the employment based visa will be our focus. There are two main phases to the process. Phase I: The alien must be sponsored by the employer, who files a petition with INS to have the alien classified as a person qualified to immigrate. Phase II: Once the alien is found qualified to immigrate, he or she may proceed to apply for permanent resident status. This can been done through Consular Processing or by Adjustment of Status. Once the immigrant visa is issued, the permanent resident may then travel freely on the visa, and my accept employment without restrictions. It is not clearly stated, but we recommend that the foreign worker remain employed by the sponsoring employer for at least six (6) months after the visa is issued to show good intent regarding the employment relationship.

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I have no status to answer questions for the Philippine Registration Commission.

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Yes. NCLEX® is the same for all US states. However, since you must apply through a state, you can apply through California and then take the NCLEX® in Saipan. However, California will no longer issue a license without a social security number. If you plan on using your license in lieu of the CGFNS exam, then you must have a full and unrestricted RN license in the state of the US employer sponsor.

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Yes. Each situation is unique. I need to learn more about your situation. I will email you privately and try to assist you.

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No. Only the nurse who is adjusting their status, can use the special exception of 180 days allowed to adjust to a work based immigrant visa. Does not apply to family members.

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I have no knowledge of this, see other questions above.

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See my responses above to the other people asking a similar question.

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For what country? The USA does not post results of licensure examinations. I have no special knowledge about other countries such as the Philippines.

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I cannot assist you.

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I beleive you must have been a license holder in your country of origin. Since only 40% of foreign educated nurses pass NCLEX® on first exam and repeat takers, only 16%, you are not likely to pass NCLEX® if y ou are unable to pass licensure exam in your home country. Can you take a review course in the Philippines to help you with this exam? Are you a nervous test taker? High anxiety can lead to impaired performance. Good luck in the future.

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Go to my new web site www.nurseimmigrationusa.com and read the article on NCLEX® . It will explain this to you.

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You will need to direct your question to the CGFNS, not to me. CGFNS will accept fax or email, In my experience, these delays are usually related the the PRC not sending your license verification. Have you passed TOEFL and has TOEFL sent the score to CGFNS? That will also delay the issuance of your certificate.

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You must have a license in the Philippines. Therefore, you will need to wait until you have a Philippine Nursing license.

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I assume you are asking me about the Philippines, as the USA does not post RN licensure exam results. I have no special knowledge of these matters in the Philippines. I suggest you contact that agency.

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Congratulations to you and your wife. I do not believe this happy event will pose a problem related to your immigrant visa. You will want to inform your immigration attorney. I am sure you are planning to process a green card for your spouse and eligible dependents. This baby is and will be an eligible dependent. When you have the birth certificate, a notification and copy would go to the attorney.

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You must apply to take the NCLEX® through one of the Boards of Nursing in one of the states of the USA. Many of the states require that all foriegn nurse graduates have passed the CGFNS exam, with a score of 400 or better. Some of the states such as California, New Mexico and New York (there are more) do not require this exam. Most states will require the foreign nurse applicant to have the foriegn nursing school transcripts of the nurse applicant, reviewed by the CGFNS. They also have the CGFNS validate the license of the nurse in their home country. This is through the Credntial Evaluation Service of the CGFNS. Guam or Saipan are just locations where there is a test center that gives the NCLEX®. When completing the NCLEX® application, the nurse applicant simply indicates which test center they will take the test. It does not matter which state you are applying through, you can test at any qualified test center. They key is the approval of the state. It is the state that appoves the applicant to qualify to take the exam.

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The California Board of Nursing will provide a license using the employer sponsor Tax ID number. However, if your tourist visa is expired, then you must return to the Philippines. You are at risk from being banned for up to 10 years, to return to US, if you remain in the US out of status. If you were a CGFNS passer,and a US employer sponsor has filed the I 140 in the past, then you should contact the immigration attorney that your employer used in your behalf. However, if you planned on using the Calif RN license to obtain an employer, who would then file the I 140 in your behalf, that cannot happen if you are not LEGALLY present in the USA. I will be happy to assist you, once you are back in the Philippines. If you can reenter, in a legal status, later this year. Let me know what you decide.

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Although our hospital is not currently actively recruitin, I am still accepting resumes. I have several other hospitals within CHW that are interested in receiving referrals from St. Joseph. I would receive your friends resume and then review it. If she has the qualifications needed, I would try and submit her resume to another CHW hospital.

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You could qualify for an adjustment of status from the non-work visa to a work visa. You must pass either CGFNS exam or the NCLEX®. Then the employer can file the I-140. When it is approved, then the adjustment of status and EAD is filed. You can expect to have a work permit (Interim) in 90 days after the EAD is filed. We require the nurse to be here in our city. If you send me your resume and email me, I can refer you to a nearby, CHW hospital in California?

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Sorry. I have no special knowledge of CGFNS or scores of nurses. You must communicate with that agency directly.

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I would suggest on-line internet review and books.

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Sounds like a great resource for nurses in Kuwait.

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When the foreign nurse applies through a state to take NCLEX®, it can take 4 to 6 months. The nurse must have the transcripts from the nursing school and the nurisng license reviewed by either the CGFNS or the state board. Then the adjustment of status can take at least 6 months until there is a work permit.

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Please read the article I wrote in this web, called NCLEX® for Foreign Nurses – A guide. All articles are in the web section titled "Downloads." If you have questions after you read this, please contact me.

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Yes. He must have graduated from a nursing program which the CGFNS deems "Equivalent to US nursing program" and he must also have a valid and unrestricted license to practice nursing in the nurses home country. I have a few Philippine nurse applicants who were previously Philippine MD. Also, for MD immigration, their is a lot of good information at the web site of leading health care immigration attorney, Carl Shusterman.

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This is to broad a question: There are many factors involved with nurse immigration to the U.S.

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I will investigate your angel ambassador. Let us know when you have received notice of your examination results from the CGFNS. Good luck!

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Yes. You need to have the TSE REveiw several weeks prior to taking the TSE examination. The agency has been asked to assist you with registration and payment. Please contact their offices. If you have any problems,let us know. Good luck!

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At this time, you must use the Exodus HR computers in their offices to study your CD from Kaplan. You will paricipate in a five day intensive/lecture review with our group in June. On day 4 of this review, you will take a computerized post-test, similar to the NCLEX®. This Kaplan post test will assess your likelihood of passing NCLEX®. You must obtain an acceptable score inorder to be flown to Guam or Saipan. You will have an additional 30 days in which to study and pass this post test. Then you will go to inactive status. At this time, I do not know if Kaplan will send instuctors to Baguio for any live lectures. Exodus is going to investigate that possiblity.

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Yes. Each situation is unique. I need to learn more about your situation. I will email you privately and try to assist you.

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Please explain your question. Are you asking how to start an agency that provides nurse staffing?

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Will Answer Question Soon!!

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I am not familiar with the requirements of the Board of Nursing in Washington state. Some states do require a social security number. Have you looked at their web site? If you are in the USA, you can obtain a US Employer sponsor. If you are in the USA, I would like to talk with you.

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Yes, I can help your sister. She will need her TOEFL, for an I 140 AND A US EMPLOYER SPONSOR. Her resume must indicate what clinical areas she has worked, the bed size of the unit and the hospital and duration of experience. Special skills in IV or equipment should be identified. If she does the resume in WORD, she can attach it to an email to me and I will be able to open it and read it. I will then circulate her resume amongst hiring managers within CHW.

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Not all states require a social security number. California does not nor does New Mexico. If you apply for NCLEX® through a state that does not require a social security number, then you can choose Guam or Saipan as your preferred testing site. Tests are given 5 to 6 days per week, depending upon the test center. The nurse receives an approval from NCLEX® and then calls to make an appointment.

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Only the applicant can inquire with the CGFNS. I work for a US employer and no special status to obtain information in behalf of CGFNS applicants. I would suggest that you go to the CGFNS web site and send them an email or fax. Good luck.

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The next exam date for the CGFNS is NOv 2002. Application deadlines for this date are in August. You can get more information at the CGFNS web site which is hyperlinked in this web site. See Related Links.

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I have no knowledge of this.

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You will notice that this web site has a link to the CGFNS. You can to the their web site and download an application or you can email them for an application. The next scheduled test, is for Nov 02. The results will not be avail until Jan 03. You should consider NCLEX® in Saipan (no tourist visa required). It is much more valuable for a US employer than the CGFNS. Good luck!

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Arizona does not require a social security license for foreign educated nurses based overseas. You will get a social security number after arrival in US with proper work permit. Other states do require this social security number at the time of application and this can pose a problem for the nurse who has never been to USA and cannot apply until all required goverment forms has been provided.

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Catholic Healthcare West is an organization of 44 hospitals, owned by the nuns in orders such as Sister of Mercy and other orders. These hospitals are located in California, Arizona and Nevada. I am an employee and my title is foriegn nurse recruiter and I am also a Registered Nurse. An individual who wishes to be considered for employment would complete an application. These are available online at CHW Employment. Overseas, foreign educated healthcare workers have special requirements to meet in order to qualify for work permit and visas. Each category is different. For some positions at some hospitals, CHW can assist with the visa and work permits.

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If you have sufficient time left on your tourist visa, then I recommend you enroll in a good NCLEX® review. I would apply to take the NCLEX®. You can take the test for a state that does not require the CGFNS exam, in order to license. California, New Mexico are both such states. You do not need to travel to those states. You can test at any test center, no matter what state that you are applying. It is all the same test. But, a nurse applicant must apply through a state to sit for NCLEX®. You can also adjust your status, with an RN and a US employer, right here in USA. It is a very fast route to a working visa, for a foreign educated RN who is currently in USA on a non work visa.

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I currrently show that you have passed the CGFNS and we have filed your papers. I do not show that you have taken the TOEFL and TSE? What is your status on completing these requirements? Has Exodus been communicating with you? How can I help you? Meladee

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Maria Dymphna, How are you making contact with Exodus? Is it by text message or leaving message on phone or talking to a person? I will also look into this issue and determine what the problem might be.

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yes. Go to Contact Us, the last button to left on the web page.

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In the USA, lists are not published. This information is considered confidential. Only the test taker is notifed and it is done by mail and in some cases there is a telephone option. The test taker would of written on the application, the address to report the results. I have found that mail from USA to Philippines can take up to 3 weeks. Maybe the results will come in the mail soon.

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YOu must contact the Philippine agency.

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I cannot help you.

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If an employer will hire you, you can be out of status for up to 180 days when you are adjusting from a non work visa ( tourist) to an employment based visa. The problem for you is to find a knowledgeable employer who understands these immigration processes. What state are you in?

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Ask friends in Philippines for Philippine exams. I do not know. There are many review centers. CHW currently uses only Kaplan in PI.

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Send an email with your resume.

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I do not know about school nurse role in the Philippines.

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Do you have a question?

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A aforeign nurse can apply for an immigrant visa with either the CGFNS exam or the NCLEX®. You do not need to take both exams. However, if you are a CGFNS exam passer, who does come to the USA, the nurse will need to pass NCLEX® to become an RN. Therefore, I recommend to nurses that plan on taking the NCLEX® to use that test for the immigrant visa.

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PLease go the link on this web site for the CGFNS. I know the next exam is in NOv and the last day to apply is August 14th. The schedule is on the CGFNS web site.

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Yes. I will do that.

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No. I will need several months to work on this. My first priority is my trip to the Phiippines to meet with our previously hired nurses. I leave July 9th and I return July 28th. Upon my return, I will be contacting other CHW hospitals to determine their interest. In the meantime, I believe you must apply for another TOEFL. This test is given in KSA, Jordan and Cairo for those in the middle east.

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Where are you located? What city would you be living in during your review?

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I know there are actual reveiw programs for this in the Philippines. I would suggest a review program in order that you have the advantage of a independent assessment of your english weakness and knowledge. Such an assessment is impossible with totally self study.

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California is now requiring the social security number. Sorry! I will do some research and may soon publish an article on this subject.

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Apply for the NCLEX® through another state such as ARizona. You can still take the exam in California, but Arizona does not require social security card or CGFNS. Then work in Arizona for one year and then transfer to California. But...you will love it very much in Arizona.

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It would be recommended for you to gain some work experience in an acute care hospital. Most employers prefer the nurse to have some experience and do not want to hire a brand new graduate from a foreign country.

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I do not know of any, but I have never been to Dubai. However, you can do online review. NCLEX® has inexpensive review on-line. You can purchase review books with CD-ROM online for NLCEX. My nurse friends tell me the NCLEX® review books are helpful also for CGFNS. Good luck!

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YOU will need to address this question to the CGFNS. However, it usually takes at least 2 months before nurses start to receive their results.

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I do not know the answer to this question.

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What exam are you speaking of? I cannot answer your question.

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Sorry, It was not me. But I did leave a message on your phone machine today, 08/23/02. I will happy to talk with you as soon as we "connect!"

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Carl Shusterman has written the Director of the INS to request that INS accept the "temporary" Calif license inorder to file the I-140. However, you cannot file the I-140 do you have an US employee sponsor? If not, consider Arizona. Arizona does not require the social security number. You can apply to Arizona, and then your NCLEX® passing score, will be transferred to ARizona. You can get a Arizona RN license. Arizaona just began accepting non-CGFNS test passers for licensure LAST WEEK! Are you planning on adjustment of status, if so, send me a resume and I can help you find an employer.

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Two of the top schools are University San Tomas and Univ of Philippines. But, other Philippine nurses might have other schools also.

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Yes. I believe that will be sufficient. However, the true test will be when the CGFNS receives your application.

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I do not have a chart or anything. And, state laws change frequently. For example, Arizona just dropped the CGFNS exam as a requirement Aug 1, 2002. California is one state as if New Mexico. I know these because they are all neighbors to me in Arizona. Search at the web site of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

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All US states require the nurse pass the NCLEX®. However, some states also require that a foreign educated nurse pass the CGFNS in order to apply to take NCLEX®. I know both California, Arizona and New Mexico do not require the CGFNS exam, in order to take NCLEX®. They all require some type of official review of your transcripts from your nursing school. Visalaw.com might have a chart on this. Also, you can look up each state individually at the web site for the National Council State Boards of Nursing web site. Once you have an RN license in the state of your US Employer sponsor, a I-140 petition can be filed. Then after other processing you will receive a valid work permit.

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I am not the CGGNS and I cannot obtain this information. However, on the CGFNS web site, they have a new telephone service. I can tell you that with our foreign nurse hires, this type of delay is usually one of two problems. The first problem is that the licensing board in the nurses country, has not verified their status. The second common problem is the TOEFL has not been received by the CGFNS and they cannot issue the certificate . Keep trying to reach them! It is also possible that it was mailed, and did not reach you?

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No. I think it means the mail is late? Are you in a state which offers the 72 hour toll call to get NCLEX® test results?

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If you are adjusting status from a non work visa such as the tourist visa, to an employment based visa, such as the green card...you can be out of status up to 180 days. You must take a very good review course. Our hospital uses Kaplan Centers NCLEX® review and we are having a high pass rate for our foreign nurse hires. You will not be able to legally work or stay in USA unless you pass the NCLEX®. What state are you in? California has created a big problem as of July 8th. They are no requiring social security number before the permanent RN license is issued. Unfortunately, the social security administration will not issue the card until the person has a valid work permit.