Question 1

What documents do you need for a VisaKey?

Accepted Answer

To process your VisaKey, TEC requires the submission of your passport, secondary school credentials, official nursing program transcript, verified clinical hours, all nursing licenses held, NCLEX or TruMerit NQE, and a passing score on an approved English Language Proficiency exam or an exemption.

Question 2

How do English Language Proficiency scores work?

Accepted Answer

English Language Proficiency scores are required for most applicants. You are required to submit a passing score for an exam that was taken within two years of when your VisaKey certificate is issued. TEC also accepts score clubbing (super scoring) for 2 administrations of the same test taken within 6 months. In general, you are exempt if your nursing education was in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, U.S., or New Zealand.

Question 3

Do you need a VisaKey if you were licensed and/or educated within the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

If you are applying for an occupational visa within the U.S. as a foreign nurse, USCIS will still require the Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate — VisaKey is The Evaluation Company's name for that certificate (the same requirement as VisaScreen).

Question 4

Can you apply for a VisaKey if you're not a RN or LPN/LVN?

Accepted Answer

The VisaKey certificate is only valid for nurses seeking an occupational visa.

Question 5

Do I need a VisaKey or Nursing Course Analysis?

Accepted Answer

Most foreign nurses will need both services to work in the U.S., but not necessarily at the same time. VisaKey is the Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate used to apply to USCIS for occupational visas (the same certificate as VisaScreen). The Nursing Course Analysis (NCA) is the course-by-course analysis state boards use for foreign nurses seeking licensure — often referred to as a CES report. A foreign nurse educated in the U.S. but seeking an occupational visa will need a VisaKey but not an NCA. Conversely, a foreign educated nurse who is a U.S. citizen or has another visa (like a family visa) will need an NCA for state licensure but not a VisaKey.

Question 6

Does your VisaKey expire?

Accepted Answer

Yes, VisaKey has an expiration date of 5 years from the issuance date.

Question 7

How do you renew your VisaKey?

Accepted Answer

To renew your VisaKey, please reach out to your team 6 months before or after your expiration date and we will assist you with the renewal process.

Question 8

Does TEC accept completed evaluations from another company?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A CGFNS CES and a TEC NCA are the course-by-course nursing analysis reports under different names. We accept completed CES reports — and completed evaluations from International Education Evaluations and Josef Silny & Associates — as verification of your degree and license. If you already have a CES, you do not need to order an NCA from TEC.

What we'll ask you for

Education

Licensure

Nursing exams

English proficiency

ID & photo

Common questions about VisaKey