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Post by wmwong5877 on Nov 1, 2003 19:08:59 GMT 7
The English proficieny exams (like TOEFL/ TWE, TSE) are almost always not required in applying for state licensure, such as, in my case, in the State of NY.
However, TOEFL/ TWE, and TSE are required if you're applying for an IMMIGRANT VISA (I-140) to come here in the States.
Or, if you're already in the States as a NON-IMMIGRANT (I-129/ H1B) worker and would like to apply for Adjustment of Status (I-485) then English proficiency exam (like TOEFL/ TWE and TSE) part of the VisaScreen and FCCPT (Immigration) is a must.
I'm NOT an Immigration Lawyer or something, but If you have specific question that you'd like to post, please don't hesitate as I will try to answer as soon as I get hold of an appropriate answer.
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Post by bluelithium on Nov 1, 2003 22:34:14 GMT 7
hi there, i just want to ask i also applied for new york,
and i dont have any intensions of applying for immigrant visa yet, my question is am i going to get working visa even if i dont have toefl,tse yet? anyway the NY doesnt require it...
and how about the health prof certification? does that take effecton me already?
will it give me a hardtime applying for a visa even if its H1B only?
hope you find time to answer my ques.
thanks.
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Post by bcmi02 on Nov 3, 2003 8:10:12 GMT 7
This is a very helpful info for all those applying for Licensure in US. Plan ahead, don't waste your precious time and money. It would be better to be ready with a visascreen or have a TOEFL, TWE and TSE (remember, only TOEFL is accepted, not MELAB or TOEIC) ready. Here it goes...
FINAL REGULATIONS ON CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
On July 25, 2003 the Dept of Homeland Security issued final regulation which implements the "VisaScreen" certification requirement for BOTH IMMIGRANT AND NONIMMIGRANT healthcare workers. The final regulation is effective on Sept. 23, 2003 for Nurses, PTs, OTs, Med Techs, Med Technicians, SLP's, audiologists, and physician assistants.
Immigrant Worker (Green Card Applicants): The above listed health care workers are required to submit certification (VisaScreen certificate) when they apply for immigrant visas at the US consulates. Those who are present in the US must submit the VisaScreen Certificates when they apply for adjustment of their status in the US. The applicants are no longer permitted to file their I-485s (adjustment of status) and submit VisaScreen certificates later as was the practice prior to Sept. 23, 2003.
For Non-immigrant worker (H1B Beneficiaries): The I-129 petitions (H1B) can be filed without VisaScreen and a worker can be admitted without certification until JULY 26, 2004. However, this opportunity is available only once to each nonimmigrant worker. A worker who has been admitted and allowed to change his/her status without a VisaScreen is not permitted to reenter or apply for extension of stay without a VisaScreen.
***
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Post by wmwong5877 on Nov 3, 2003 8:53:09 GMT 7
 bluelithium, in my opinion, bcmi02's post in the forum basically answer your questions. reading from bcmi02's post, take note that although the final rule became effective on September 23, 2003, that requirement will not be enforced until July 26, 2004 to avoid disruption in the ability of necessary health care workers to enter or remain in the U.S. on a temporary basis. (www.murthy.com) dated 10/10/03 for more information about H1B and I-140 (immigrant) you may check www.murthy.com on their topic about Allied Health Care professionals www.murthy.com/medical.html and shusterman.com/homepage.html specifically the shusterman.com/343-pt.html. reading such news/ updates from a legal source is very helpful, but beware because there are also those lawyers who takes advantage ...
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alas
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by alas on Nov 12, 2003 18:23:50 GMT 7
Hi! I am applying for an H1B visa . I still don't have my Visa screen. I'll be taking my TSE this Nov. 15. Next week I'll be going back to the US embassy here at Manila to submit the requirements they asked on my last visit there. Do you think they will ask for my visa screen? Can I still enter US before the implimentation date on July 26,2004 even without visascreen? By the way my employer is in Ohio. Thank you & God Bless!  |
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Post by padsikan on Nov 12, 2003 18:23:52 GMT 7
if u have a sponsor for a tourist visa - what should be the most likely reason for sponsoring u?
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Post by MeLiaN_pt on Nov 15, 2003 16:06:15 GMT 7
hey alas...i believe there is a great possibility that the embassy will request that you present a visascreen. but if you are already scheduled to appear without it since you are not done with your english proficiency requirements then there's no other recourse but to appear on your scheduled visit to the embassy and pray that they will not request a visascreen from you. i think you can still enter the USA even without a visascreen so long as you have a visa but you are definitely expected to possess a visascreen by july 2004. the first obstacle lies on whether the embassy will grant you a visa without the visdascreen.so as i stated earlier, since you are scheduled to appear soon without the visascreen, you might as well try your luck and pray that like in your previous visit, the embassy did not request a visascreen from you. good luck on your up coming visit to the embassy.
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Post by flippercrazee on Nov 16, 2003 7:35:59 GMT 7
does the visascreen certificate expire after how many years?
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Post by bcmi02 on Nov 17, 2003 1:25:37 GMT 7
For flippercrazee, when I checked on ICHP's website, I think I've read somewhere that the VisaScreen is valid for 2 years, however, with the immigration, your VisaScreen can be used for 5 years from issue date to apply for immigrant status. Check immigration websites about the VisaScreen ruling just to make sure.
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Post by MeLiaN_pt on Nov 17, 2003 9:05:57 GMT 7
for alas, i took the info below from a post in another discussion forum such as this one. hope this will add to the info that you require to be able to take the proper course of action.
here goes...
when will the requirement of a visascreen take effect?
1. effective september 23, 2003 for people who are still outside the USA and effective july 2004 for those who are already in the USA
is the certificate required during the embassy interview or only when you apply for an H1-B from the BCIS?
2. visa screen certificate is required not just for the interview per se but is an integral part one must have in order to obtain a H1-B/working visa and/or an employment-based immigrant visa. i think it would be part of the checklist that you have to show to the BCIS too..
what are documents required when you appear for an embassy interview?
3. you will be given a checklist of the necessary documents that you should have by the time you will call the embassy hotline for a scheduled interview.. most often, your employer/agency wil give you the necessary documents before you are going to call for a scheduled interview..
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Post by bcmi02 on Nov 17, 2003 11:10:22 GMT 7
For alas and for those who are confused about this visascreen issue... I posted this a few weeks ago, this info was given to me by my lawyer and was explained by my friend's lawyer as well... For Non-immigrant worker (H1B Beneficiaries): The I-129 petitions (H1B) can be filed WITHOUT VisaScreen AND A WORKER CAN BE ADMITTED WITHOUT certification UNTIL JULY 26, 2004. However, THIS OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE ONLY ONCE TO EACH NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. A worker who has been admitted and allowed to change his/her status without a VisaScreen is not permitted to reenter or apply for extension of stay without a VisaScreen. ... In addition to this, I've also read that they established this date so that the delivery of service would not be disrupted. So they can give you an H1B even if you don't have a visascreen but once you are here in the US, your H1B couldn't be extended or be filed for a new one or file for change of status to immigrant without a visascreen. (kasi nga only once ka lang pwedeng maapprove before july 26, 2004). If you are here in the US, effective Sept 23, 2003, your I-485 couldn't be filed unless you have a visascreen (pero before this date, the BCIS allows this). It would help if you check out immigration websites about the final decision on visascreen, try searching on google or yahoo. Hope this helps. |
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alas
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by alas on Nov 19, 2003 16:52:36 GMT 7
TEXT   Thanks Melian & bcmi02! You have helped a lot. I went to the U.S. Embassy yesterday and thanks God My Visa(H1B) application was approved! I'm planning to leave here in manila early next year if God permits but I'm worried at the port of entry. Will they look for my visascreen? I,m still wating for the result of my TSE and I'm planning to take TEOFL before the year ends. By the way is the professional exam(US board exam) a requirement for the visascreen? Any advice would be of great help. Thanks and God bless!
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Post by bcmi02 on Nov 20, 2003 6:39:46 GMT 7
Hi Alas! Congratulations! Don't worry about the port of entry, all you have to do is to present your H1b stamped on your passport then they'll ask you questions like who is your employer or petitioner, where will you stay, what will be your work, etc. Then regarding the visascreen, it's just like regular credentialing with TOEFL/TWE and TSE (plus description of internship- 10 months if you take the ICHP visascreen). I had mine approved when I was still in the Philippines. If you'll be going here early next year, better prepare documents that would be coming from your school and PRC (para pag kailangan mo na, you can just direct someone how to process them for you). If you file after you obtain a US license, you also have to submit a license verification from the state you're licensed in. By the way, if you have credentials reviewed by FCCPT or ICD, you can ask them if you can just submit additional requirements for the visascreen so that you don't have to repeat the entire process (ICD and ICHP are both under CGFNS). So by the time you're here in the US and you need to apply for extension of your H1B (your employer does this for you) or apply for permanent resident status, you'll definitely need the visascreen (make sure your english exams are not expired). Good luck and congratulations again! |
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Post by MeLiaN_pt on Nov 20, 2003 11:58:44 GMT 7
no sweat alas,i'm glad to be of service as long as i'd be able to provide the type of service specified (labo no?) wow, congratulations ha! thank God talaga that all worries remained, well, worries lamang. i'm sincerely happy for you.
i agree with bcmi02 that you will not be required to present a visascreen at the port of entry. the PT license that you'd be able to acquire once you pass the NPTE is not a requirement for the application of an ICHP visascreen. aside from the application form that you need to fill up, you know that you need to sit for a series of english proficiency tests.hopefully, you indicated ICHP or even FCCPT as one of the recipients of the results of your english proficiency tests so you are not obligated to pay extra. you also need to submit along with your apply form a summary of your supervised clinical experiences and other requirements that you encountered when you applied for a credentials evaluation. it is an advantage for you if you applied for an ICD credentials eval since the ICD is an arm of the CGFNS just like ICHP, therefore, you can request the ICD to forward the results of your credentials eval to the ICHP with very little or no hassles at all. however, i have a question for anyone out there who can provide any form of feedback re: the matter below which is somewhat related to the visascreen
for anyone who may be able to provide any form of feedback---is the FCCPT type 2 (visa credentials verification certificate) an equivalent of the ICHP visascreen? if this is the case, how long would it normally take (based on your experiences-recent experiences will be a plus)the FCCPT to process the FCCPT type 2 application?is it true that the FCCPT type 2 can only be used by individuals who are US licensed, in the US and would like to change their status into a permanent immigrant.
another one---anyone out there who utilized the cgfns on-line service in order to apply for a visascreen---your feedback re:this matter is greatly appreciated. thank you!
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choco
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by choco on Nov 27, 2003 23:47:14 GMT 7
hi,what are the steps and procedures in changing status from h1 to permanent resident?any information is deeply appreciated..k.
anyone would like to email or be friends?i really need some one to talk to.
thanks.
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Post by bcmi02 on Dec 1, 2003 1:05:34 GMT 7
Hi Choco! From H1B to permanent resident this is how I went through the process. You need your employer to petition you first, if they agree, then a I-140 will be filed- this is the immigrant petition. Next will be the filing of the I-485 or adjustment of status. You need a visascreen, medical exam (performed by USCIS / INS authorized MD)- although the medical can follow later. The I-140 and I-485 can be filed altogether as long as you have all documents complete. (I-485 cannot be filed without the visascreen). Then after the filing, wait for the notification of fingerprinting. Then wait for the approval notice from the USCIS / INS which will usually take around 2 years or more. You can elect to have a lawyer represent you in the process or you can do the process on your own. You can visit www.uscis.gov for forms, filing fees, etc. If you have any more questions, I'll be glad to give suggestions. |
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choco
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by choco on Dec 1, 2003 7:04:15 GMT 7
hi.tnx for the info.friend...how long is the waiting period?chocol_03@yahoo.com-hope to keep in touch.tnx. |
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Post by MeLiaN_pt on Dec 1, 2003 9:11:55 GMT 7
hello bcmi02!
i sent a PM to you a week ago. i sure hope to receive a reply from you since i desperately require guidance with regards to the matter that i presented. thank you.
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Post by bcmi02 on Dec 4, 2003 8:42:24 GMT 7
Hi MeLian and others who might want to read this. Hello! Pasensya na for the late reply, medyo niresearch ko muna kasi yung type 2 FCCPT. Pareho lang sila in terms of being accepted by the USCIS (INS) for adjustment of status, the difference is if you're licensed here in the states or not. So if you are still in the Philippines and you would like to save time and money, layout mo muna yung plans mo. If you will be applying in a state that requires FCCPT as the credentialing, then it would be better to apply for the type 1 which covers both credentialing and visascreen. If your state requires ICD, then, you can just request ICD to forward the results of your credentialing to ICHP since both of them are under CGFNS so all you have to do is to add all other requirements (ganito kasi yung gagawin nung isa kong kaibigan, tumawag siya sa ICD then sabi nila na pwede daw). If you have neither FCCPT nor ICD as your credentialing, isipin mo ulit yung future plans mo. If you are planning to transfer to a different state in the future that requires FCCPT for credentialing, then mas matimbang yung visascreen ng FCCPT. If you plan to stay in one state, then it does not really matter. Based sa experience ko at ng mga kaibigan ko dito sa US, malaking advantage kung complete lahat ng requirements mo bago isubmit sa FCCPT or ICHP, kasi kung kumpleto lahat including all english tests and license verification and school credentials verification, then hindi matatambak lang ang papers mo dahil nga complete na, if they say 8-12 weeks, don't expect to receive it within that time kasi you have to add mailing time and other factors for delay. Next, if you are already licensed here in the US, then you can use the type 2 service. Naka-specify sa FCCPT na type 2 is only for those licensed in the US applying for adjustment of status to permanent resident. Yung isa kong kaibigan, she has FCCPT for credentialing only. Now that she is applying for green card, she called FCCPT then they told her to just submit the results of her english tests, license and score verification (of her US license). Di pa nya nasasubmit kasi naghihintay pa siya ng results ng TSE niya. Pero malamang 1-2 weeks lang talaga processing ng type 2 kasi nga kompleto na ang credentialing, idadagdag na lang ang TOEFL /TWE and TSE then maissue na nila yung visascreen certificate. I hope nakatulong itong info na to. I'm here in the US pero sa totoo lang, dami kong nasayang na pera at panahon dahil hindi ko plinano ng husto at saka wala akong pinagtanungan. I went through the process on my own kaya nga eto, nagbibigay ako ng payo para mapabuti yung application ng mga wala pa dito. At masaya ako na nagtatanong ka. ICHP nga pala ang ginamit ko- that was Oct 2000 when I started filing it. Kulang-kulang at ang nagpatagal kasi yung TOEFL at TSE, hirap kumuha ng sched. Feb 2001 na nung nacomplete ko lahat ng requirements (syempre mailing time pa from philippines and within the states etc). Natanggap ko yung visascreen ko May 2001. Siguro kung kumpleto lang lahat ng requirements ko di naman talaga tatagal ng ganon. Wala pa akong feedback about the CGFNS online service. Thank you for asking and I hope this info would also help others. Sulat ka ulit kung meron ka pang questions. MARAMING TRABAHO DITO SA US. Bastat licensed ka dito, there are a lot of petitioners willing to sponsor you. |
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Post by morgagni on Dec 4, 2003 22:23:27 GMT 7
alas, how were u able to find an employer in ohio? did u employ the services of a recruitment agency?
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Post by MeLiaN_pt on Dec 11, 2003 11:27:52 GMT 7
hello bcmi02!
i sent you another PM. thank you very much for the lengthy and detailed reply to my inquiry.
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Post by junwar on Jan 6, 2004 22:23:53 GMT 7
:)Hi! I have a couple of questions to ask – I would be very grateful if somebody would take time to answer them.
1. I already have my credentials reviewed by ICA; however, the results were sent directly to my agency/recruiter. Can I still request for the result if in case my employment does not push through with my current agency?
2. My recruiter is asking me to pay the $2130 for immigration (INS) processing. 2.1. Do I really have to pay for it or my employer/sponsor is the one responsible for this?
2.2. When shall I pay for this and what is the assurance that they received this amount from me?
2.3. How will I also know that they used this amount of money for immigration processing since I have to make it payable to their agency?
3. I didn’t take my TOEFL and TSE exams as of yet. I was supposed to take them this April but my recruiter couldn’t wait longer than this so she informed me that I’ll just take the exams when I get to US. As you’ve mentioned here, I understood that it is alright if I don’t have English proficiency exams yet.
4. How soon can I go to US after I pay for the $2130? Can you give me any idea how much is usually charged to a PT applicant who wants to seek greener pasture in US? Could you also give me the breakdown for miscellaneous fees, etc?
I will wait for your quick reply because I am about to send the $2130 together with the down payment to the agency. But before I do that, I would like to make sure and get some information from our readers regarding these matters. I would really appreciate if somebody would take time to answer all my queries.
Thanks and God bless.
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Post by bcmi02 on Jan 7, 2004 8:56:31 GMT 7
Hi Junwar, I've got some suggestions and advices for you: 1. regarding your ICA, try to call them or email them or any way that you can ask about a copy of your credentials evaluation. Check out their website at www.icaworld.com then click on "contact us" and you can write them your inquiry. Or better yet, try calling them. 2. Regarding H1B, based on my case, my employer sponsored me and they paid all processing fees including the lawyer's fee. They paid $1130 to INS (I don't know if there has been a change). The if they will file your case under expedited/premium processing, an additional $1000 is required. I don't know what agreement you have with your recruiter but here in the US, its the sponsor who usually pays for everything (and sometimes they also give sign-in bonus and relocation assistance). This is paid at the time that the documents are filed. Your receipt will be the receipt notice coming from INS (now called CIS). Why can't you just make your check payable to CIS? 3. If you are still in the Philippines, you can't go here in the US until you have your passport stamped with the H1B visa. So you have to wait for the approval first then you'll be going to the embassy (make sure you have all requirements from the employer, your recruiter or employer should know this so you won't encounter problems when you appear at the embassy). 4. Don't be too trusting with people trying to help you go in the US to work as PT, some would really take advantage of you and the situation. Before you give any money, research first about the company. Is it legit?, etc... If you have any more questions, you can send me a PM. I hope these info cleared out some of your questions. Good luck to you! |
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bluelithium, 
Thanks Melian & bcmi02! You have helped a lot. I went to the U.S. Embassy yesterday and thanks God My Visa(H1B) application was approved!