What documents do you need for a VisaKey?

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.

How do English Language Proficiency scores work?

English Language Proficiency scores are required for most applicants, with a few exceptions. 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.

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

If you are applying for an occupational visa within the U.S. as a foreign nurse, USCIS will still require you to obtain a VisaKey.

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

Most foreign nurses will need both services to work in the U.S., but not necessarily at the same time. VisaKey is used to apply to USCIS for occupational visas, while the Nursing Course Analysis (NCA) is used by state boards of nursing to determine nursing competency. 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.

Does your VisaKey expire?

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

How do you renew your VisaKey?

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.

Does TEC accept credential evaluations if completed by another company?

Yes, we accept completed credential evaluations from TruMerit (CGFNS), International Education Evaluations, and Josef Silny & Associates.

Nursing credential evaluation for U.S. licensure

Get your nursing credentials evaluated for U.S. licensure

Upload your documents, track every step, and receive a VisaKey certificate after specialist review.

Start your application Track your case

Every issued certificate is backed by credentialing specialist review.

Backed by recognized evaluation expertise

The evaluation foundation behind VisaKey

VisaKey combines The Evaluation Company's credential-evaluation background, specialist review, and clearer case tracking in one application flow.

Selected memberships, authorizations, and partner relationships behind the VisaKey review process

100+

countries represented

Used by internationally educated nurses worldwide

Applicants across major source countries use VisaKey to organize records, coordinate verification requests, and complete nursing credential evaluations.

From application to issued certificate in 4 steps

A clear path from document upload to reviewed certificate.

Step 01

Upload Your Documents

Upload the records you already have and see exactly what is still needed for review.

Step 02

Coordinate With Your Schools

VisaKey prepares the forms each institution needs so you can request verification without extra guesswork.

Step 03

Experts Review Your File

Credentialing specialists compare your documents to U.S. board expectations and flag anything missing.

Step 04

Receive Your Certificate

Download your VisaKey certificate when the evaluation is complete and move to the next licensing or immigration step.

What you receive

A VisaKey certificate backed by review and ready to verify

When every required record has been reviewed, VisaKey issues a nursing credential evaluation certificate that employers, licensing teams, and immigration reviewers can confirm.

Issued by The Evaluation Company after review is complete

Released only after required records have been reviewed

Designed for employers, licensing teams, and immigration reviewers to verify

Start your application See certificate verification

Example VisaKey certificate with fictional applicant details

Sample certificate shown with fictional applicant details.

The records most applicants need to upload

Most applicants already have these records on hand. If something is missing, VisaKey shows what to request next.

Start your application View the checklist

Education Records

Show that your nursing education aligns with the academic foundation boards expect.

Nursing Licensure

Document your current or prior nursing registration so the review team can verify your standing.

Nursing Exams

Provide exam records that support your eligibility to practice in the United States.

English Proficiency

Upload English scores when required, or follow the exemption path if your training qualifies.

Identity documents

Use a government-issued photo ID and a passport-style photo so VisaKey can verify the applicant record.

Human review from start to finish

Credentialing specialists review every file before a certificate is issued.

VisaKey specialists review transcripts, licenses, exam results, and identity documents against U.S. board requirements. If something is missing, the application shows the next step instead of leaving applicants guessing.

Specialist review

Documents are checked by credentialing staff, not an automated scoring tool.

Clear status updates

Applicants can see what has been uploaded, reviewed, or still needed.

Certificate only when complete

The final certificate is issued after each required document has been reviewed.

FAQ for nurses

Common questions about VisaKey

Documents, English exams, expiration, renewals, and how VisaKey relates to state board requirements.

Preparing your file? See our document checklist or start your application.

Ready to start your VisaKey application?

Start a new application or check the status of an existing case from the same public experience.

Start your application Track an existing case

For recruiters, employers, and immigration offices

Manage sponsored evaluations in one shared VisaKey portal.

Sponsor an applicant, route billing to your account, and track case progress in one place. This path is built for employer sponsors, recruitment teams, and immigration partners.

Set up your organization

Already have an account? Sign in to the portal.

Invite applicants quickly

Send a one-click application link by email and keep billing on the organization side.

Consolidated invoicing

Use case-level or recurring billing formats that fit finance and recruiting workflows.

Shared case visibility

Track every sponsored applicant in one portal and see what is missing before follow-up is needed.

Direct support path

Connect your team with VisaKey contacts when account setup or recurring volume needs extra coordination.

For employers, licensing teams, and immigration reviewers

Verify an issued VisaKey certificate

Confirm that a VisaKey nursing credential evaluation certificate was issued by The Evaluation Company. Enter the certificate reference shown on the document and the holder's date of birth.

Applicants: case tracking, document updates, and payment status live on Check application status. This verification form is only for third parties reviewing an issued certificate.