Every year thousands of nurses from around the world decide they would like to practice as registered nurses in the U.S. To obtain a license to practice as a registered nurse, and to obtain an occupational visa (Green Card) to come to the U.S. to practice as a registered nurse, foreign-educated nurses must sign up for, and successfully complete, the CGFNS Certification Program administered by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), and the VisaScreen program administered by ICHP, a division of CGFNS. For frequently asked questions about the Visa Screen requirement please click here.


Registered nurses may enter the U.S. directly as a lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder). Presently, the U.S. Department of Labor classifies registered nurses as a "Schedule A" occupation. The advantage is that the lengthy and expensive Labor Certification Process can be circumvented, thereby expediting the Green Card Process. Nurses must meet and satisfy the requirements of the State Board of Nursing in the state for which he or she intends to practice nursing. Additional limiting criteria may vary among the state's department of professional regulation.

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REGISTERED NURSES