Guide for nurses
What is VisaKey?
Last updated: · By The Evaluation Company
VisaKey is The Evaluation Company's Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate for internationally educated nurses seeking a U.S. occupational visa. It is the same federal certificate as TruMerit VisaScreen, IEE GlobalBridge, and Josef Silny Visa4Nurses. Credentialing specialists review education, licensure, English, and exams, then issue a QR-verifiable certificate — typically within 10 business days after your file is complete.
The Evaluation Company has provided credential evaluation since 1982 and has been a NACES® member since 1996. VisaKey is the modern way to get this certificate: digital upload, live status, and a portal for nurses and the organizations that sponsor them. What differs from VisaScreen and the other brand names is price and process — not the legal requirement.
Who VisaKey is for
VisaKey is built for internationally educated nurses — most often RNs and LPN/LVNs — who need the federal Health Care Worker certificate for a USCIS occupational visa. Employers, recruiters, and immigration partners can sponsor applicants through an organization portal with shared billing and case tracking.
- Nurses who need the Section 343 certificate — whether a packet says VisaKey, VisaScreen, or Health Care Worker certificate
- Applicants who want digital upload, live status, and a downloadable certificate
- Organizations coordinating many sponsored nursing certificates in one place
What a VisaKey certificate is used for
A VisaKey certificate is the Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate USCIS requires for an occupational visa. Receiving parties may include immigration reviewers, employers, and licensing teams. Some packets still say "VisaScreen" because CGFNS was the long-time incumbent — that is their brand name for this same certificate.
Issued certificates can be verified online by employers, licensing teams, and immigration reviewers at certificate verification.
VisaKey and The Evaluation Company
VisaKey is not a separate evaluation company. It is TEC's name for the Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate. TEC's broader practice includes academic evaluations, translations, and other credential services for applicants from 100+ countries. Learn more at evalcompany.com.
VisaKey vs Nursing Course Analysis (NCA)
These are two different products. VisaKey is the federal occupational-visa certificate. An NCA is the course-by-course analysis state boards use for competency — the same product CGFNS calls a CES. Many nurses need the NCA before or alongside VisaKey.
| Topic | VisaKey | Nursing Course Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate for a U.S. occupational visa (same as VisaScreen) | Course-by-course nursing analysis for state boards (same as a CGFNS CES) |
| Typical buyer | Foreign-educated nurses seeking an occupational visa | Nurses whose board asks for NCA / CES competency analysis |
| Can you get both? | Yes — order separately or as a VisaKey + NCA bundle on pricing | |
Already have a CGFNS CES? VisaKey accepts it in place of our NCA. CGFNS does not accept a VisaKey NCA in place of their CES. Comparing the same federal certificate under other brand names? See VisaKey vs TruMerit VisaScreen, VisaKey vs IEE GlobalBridge, and VisaKey vs Josef Silny Visa4Nurses.
How to get a VisaKey
The VisaKey application is designed as a clear four-step path from upload to issued certificate.
- Upload your documents. Provide education, licensure, exam, English (if required), and identity records. See the document checklist.
- Coordinate school verifications. VisaKey prepares forms your institutions need so verifications return to your case.
- Specialist review. Credentialing specialists compare your file to U.S. board expectations and flag gaps.
- Receive your certificate. Download the issued VisaKey certificate — typically within 10 business days after the file is complete — and submit it as instructed.
Pricing and processing time
The self-pay VisaKey Application is listed at $675. Bundles and standalone Nursing Course Analysis options are on the pricing page. Processing is typically 10 business days after TEC has what it needs to finish the review.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions nurses ask first when they encounter VisaKey.
What is VisaKey in simple terms?
VisaKey is The Evaluation Company's Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate for internationally educated nurses seeking a U.S. occupational visa. It is the same federal certificate as TruMerit VisaScreen, IEE GlobalBridge, and Josef Silny Visa4Nurses — different brand name, price, and process. Specialists review education, licensure, English, and exams, then issue a QR-verifiable certificate, typically in 10 business days after your file is complete.
Who needs a VisaKey?
Most applicants are internationally educated RNs or LPN/LVNs who need the federal Health Care Worker certificate for a USCIS occupational visa. U.S.-educated or U.S.-licensed foreign nurses may still need VisaKey for that visa filing. A separate Nursing Course Analysis (NCA) — the same product CGFNS calls a CES — is what many state boards use for competency.
Is VisaKey the same as a Nursing Course Analysis (NCA)?
No. VisaKey is the Section 343 Health Care Worker certificate for a U.S. occupational visa. An NCA is a separate course-by-course nursing analysis for state boards — the same product CGFNS calls a CES. Many nurses need the NCA before or alongside VisaKey. Order them separately, as a bundle, or bring a completed CES and skip buying our NCA.
Is VisaKey accepted because TEC is a NACES member?
The Evaluation Company has been a NACES® member since 1996. NACES membership is widely recognized by U.S. academic institutions, employers, and licensing boards, but each board or agency sets its own acceptance rules — always confirm with the authority that will receive your report.
How long does a VisaKey take?
VisaKey is typically processed in 10 business days after TEC has the required documents and verifications needed to complete the review. Incomplete files take longer because the case waits on missing records.
More document and English-exam detail lives on the checklist FAQ.
Ready to start your VisaKey application?
Upload your documents, track every step, and receive a specialist-reviewed certificate when your file is complete.