CGFNS International reports nurse migration rates to the U.S. remained high in 2024

CGFNS International released a report last month concluding that nurse migration to the US remains high as healthcare systems continue to look to foreign-educated nurses to address persistent staffing shortages.

In 2024, CGFNS received 24,733 VisaScreen applications, down 4.6% from 2023, but still nearly 200% above pre-pandemic fiscal year 2018.

Allocation by country and visa type

Candidates with credentials from the Philippines accounted for more than 51% of issued VisaScreen certificates in 2024, followed by Canada with 8%, and Kenya with 6.5%.

76% of visa screen certificates issued by CGFNS were issued to candidates seeking permanent green cards, followed by candidates seeking TN visas (12%) and H-1Bs (11%).

According to the President and CEO of CGFNS, the report’s findings confirm that U.S. healthcare systems, “continue to depend on nurse immigrants to address persistent staffing shortages.”

Looking ahead

The report states that between 6% and 16% of registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S. are foreign-born, representing between 258,000 and 688,000 migrant nurses as of 2023. 

High immigration rates in the face of barriers such as visa retrogression highlight the continued appeal of nurse migration as a pathway for career advancement and economic opportunity.

However, visa retrogression persists, alongside new, likely stricter, immigration policies from the Trump Administration.

The report notes that while an increase in visa wait times may strain direct-hire models, staffing agencies can more effectively absorb wait periods, making staffing and recruitment even more essential for nursing immigration to the US in the coming years.

CGFNS International to Change Its Name to TruMerit™

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) announced it will change its name to TruMerit™.

Immigration regulations require that when filing an immigration petition for certain healthcare occupations, including Registered Nurses, the Petitioner must include a healthcare worker’s certificate (sometimes called a Visa Screen) from an authorized credentialing organization, such as CGFNS.

CGFNS indicated the name change will be the centerpiece of a comprehensive rebranding of the organization, which will also involve changes to its website, customer portals, credentials and certificates, and social media channels. The rebranding effort will begin rolling out in mid-March and will be completed by the summer.

English Exam Score Set at 50 for International Nurses: Could Increase in Future, says HRSA

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) announced that it will reset its standard passing English exam score to 50, after raising the standard to 63 in the Fall of 2024.

Immigration regulations require that when filing an immigration petition for certain healthcare occupations, including Registered Nurses, the Petitioner must include a healthcare worker’s certificate (sometimes called a Visa Screen) from an authorized credentialing organization. A passing English exam score is required for Visa Screen issuance.

One such English exam, the PTE, will now have a standardized passing score of 50 across all Visa Screen providers.

However, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) could soon increase the standardized English exam score across all providers.

To determine the appropriate English exam score requirement to protect patient safety and to safeguard healthcare professionals coming into the U.S. to work, HRSA has asked for comments through the Federal Register and will be reviewing a comprehensive report on English proficiency standards within the coming month.

International Education Evaluations, LLC Now Authorized to Issue Visa Screens

As of October 25, 2024, USCIS has added International Education Evaluations, LLC to the list of organizations authorized to issue certificates and certified statements for Registered Nurses. Notice of the organization’s addition was provided in the Federal Register.

Immigration regulations require that when filing a nonimmigrant or immigrant petition for certain healthcare occupations, including Registered Nurses, the Petitioner must include a healthcare worker’s certificate (sometimes called a Visa Screen) from an authorized credentialing organization.

The immigration regulations expressly authorize the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), to issue valid healthcare workers’ certificates.

USCIS may also approve additional organizations for issuance of certificates by providing notice in the Federal Register. MU previously published an August 2021 blog post on the addition, via Federal Register notice, of Josef Silny Associates, Inc. to the list of authorized organizations.

APPROVAL OF A NEW CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATION FOR NURSES

Immigration regulations require that when filing a nonimmigrant or immigrant petition for certain health care occupations, including Registered Nurses, the Petitioner must include a healthcare worker’s certificate (sometimes called a VisaScreen) from an authorized credentialing organization for the Beneficiary listed in the petition.

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), were previously the only authorized credentialing organizations listed in the immigration regulations.

On July 22, 2021, USCIS approved the application for Josef Silny Associates, Inc., to be added to the list of organizations authorized to issue certificates and certified statements for Registered Nurses.