Frequently Asked Questions – Retrogression

General Information

Q: What is retrogression?

A: Visa retrogression refers to a temporary backward movement or slowing down of the issuance of immigrant visas for certain categories of foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States. It occurs when the demand for visas in a particular category exceeds the supply of available visas based on the US government’s annual limits.

Retrogression typically occurs toward the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches the annual category or per-country limitations. Sometimes a priority date that meets the cut-off date one month will not meet the cut-off date the next month. When the new fiscal year begins on October 1, a new supply of visas is made available and usually returns the dates to where they were before retrogression.

For NCLEX Application

Q: Is it okay to push my application while retrogression is ongoing? Will I be able to encounter any problems regarding my NCLEX application?

It’s definitely alright to proceed with your NCLEX application during a Visa retrogression period. That is because the NCLEX processing time typically takes about a year, including the review preparation. Moreover, the processing of the NCLEX application will not be affected since the application is submitted to credentialing agencies and the US Board of Nursing. The US embassy will not have any role in your NCLEX application.

Additionally, taking the NCLEX examination is the first step to achieving your American dream. Right after you pass the NCLEX, you still need to look for a recruitment agency that will assist you in filing your immigrant visa application. In addition, you still need to take the English test for the Visascreen certification process. You might also process a license endorsement later if you are employed in another state other than the state where you were initially licensed. In summary, you can still submit your NCLEX application during a period of visa retrogression. Take note your i140 will still be submitted/filed by your recruitment agency even if there is retrogression. You should be able to complete all necessary documentation, such as the NCLEX, VisaScreen, and License Endorsement, so you just have to wait for your priority date to be current. 

Q: Will the retrogression affect my eligibility for NCLEX, or is retrogression only for the VISA application?

Retrogression only affects the availability of visas. It does not affect the eligibility of foreign-educated nurses to take the NCLEX exam. Visa retrogression also does not affect the other prerequisite procedures, such as taking the English exam and the VisaScreen. Moreover, it will not affect the processing time frame or the evaluation of the credentialing agencies or the state board of nursing for you to be eligible to take the NCLEX.

Additionally, it wouldn’t affect the issuance of your ATT or the distribution of your license after you pass the NCLEX. That is because these procedures will not be done by the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). 

Take note your i140 will still be submitted/filed by your recruitment agency even if there is retrogression. As advised by employers and recruitment agencies, you should be able to complete all necessary documentation. This includes NCLEX, VisaScreen, and License Endorsement, so you only have to wait for your priority date to be current. 

For VisaScreen Application

Q: Will you still advise me to proceed with VISASCREEN even if there’s retrogression?

Yes, it is still advisable to complete the VisaScreen certification even if there is a visa retrogression. The VisaScreen certificate is required for all foreign-educated healthcare professionals seeking an occupational visa to work in the United States. The certification per se is valid for five (5) years once issued. The VisaScreen certificate verifies that you have met specific academic and English language proficiency requirements and certain health and security standards.

Even if visa retrogression is ongoing, completing the VisaScreen certification is still essential to obtaining an immigrant visa to practice as a registered nurse in the United States. It’s possible that in ten (10) months, retrogression may be resolved, or visa availability may improve in the future, specifically when the new fiscal year starts by October 1, 2023. So, it’s best to be prepared and have all the necessary documentation ready. Once the visa bulletin is current again, your employer/recruitment agency already has your complete requirements. 

Due to the massive demand for the nursing workforce needed in the USA, this concern will be resolved soon. As your employers and recruitment agencies advised, it is best to complete all the necessary procedures. Thus, when your priority date becomes current again, you have completed all the required procedures and requirements. 

Q: I would like to know if my IELTS will expire even if I already have a visa screen certificate. If the retrogression lasts for five (5) years, do I have to start my visa screen all over again, correct? And does it mean that I have to retake my IELTS too? Since the validity is two (2) years.

The validity of your IELTS exam and VisaScreen certificate are separate and do not affect each other. The IELTS or different English Language Proficiency exam results are typically valid for two (2) years. In contrast, the VisaScreen certificate is valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance.

If your IELTS has already expired (more than two (2) years from the date of examination), but you already have the VisaScreen certificate, you are not required to retake another IELTS. But your US embassy interview date must be within the five (5) years validity period of your VisaScreen.

However, if your IELTS has already expired and you intend to work as a Registered Nurse in another English-speaking country requiring the IELTS, then you need to retake your IELTS. 

If the VisaScreen certificate expires (beyond five (5) years), and you are required to attend your interview date in the US embassy, then you need to re-process an application for the VisaScreen.

Q: Can I proceed to visa screening after the score transfer even though there is a retrogression in the US?

Yes, you can proceed with your VisaScreen application even if visa retrogression exists in the United States. VisaScreen is required for all foreign-educated healthcare professionals seeking an occupational visa to work in the US.

It’s important to note that completing the VisaScreen certification is still essential to obtaining a work visa to practice as a registered nurse in the United States, even if there is a visa retrogression. As advised by employers and recruitment agencies, applicants are encouraged to complete all the necessary documentation. So that when your priority date becomes current, you have already completed the required procedures. 

Additionally, the VisaScreen certificate is valid for five years.

For License Endorsement Application

Q: Can I still process my License Endorsement application even if there’s a retrogression going on?

License endorsement is a process of acquiring a license in another state without having to retake the NCLEX. 

There are two (2) considerations for the license endorsement as an implication for the ongoing ten (10) months of retrogression. 

1. Your state doesn’t require you to be physically present in the US to complete the requirements before issuing your license. Meaning, the state where we will endorse your license will give tit even if you are still outside that particular state. Then we should continue the license endorsement application. It will be advantageous if you have completed all the necessary documentation. As advised by employers and recruitment agencies, applicants are encouraged to complete all the required processes so that when your priority date becomes current, you have already completed the required procedures. 

E.g., Endorsement of NY license to TX. The TX BON will issue your license regardless of your location. You will not need the SSN before the issuance of the TX license. Also, they don’t have a time-bounded time-frame that the applicant should be physically present in the USA about the application validity.

2. If the state board you applied for your license endorsement will need USA documentation (submission of USA visa during application), if there is a time frame that we need to consider that the applicant should be physically present in the USA for the issuance of the license, then, kindly seek the advice of your employer/recruitment agency if we can proceed for your license endorsement application. 

E.g., Endorsement of NY license to Georgia. The Georgia BON will require your US visa as part of the application procedure. They will not issue the Georgia license unless you have submitted the USA visa.

The Bottom Line

Your NCLEX remains the first step to unlocking your American Dream. Even if there is a temporary retrogression, you should still act to complete the necessary procedures such as the NCLEX, VisaScreen, and License Endorsement. The process can be lengthy and complicated, which is why IPASS Processing is here to provide you with a hassle-free exam application. Message us now to get started!