Healthcare employers and international nurses just got an important update from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that can directly impact hiring timelines and immigration strategies. On March 27, 2026, USCIS approved a new credentialing organization authorized to issue certificates for certain foreign healthcare workers, including international nurses. This authorization is valid for five years, through March 27, 2031.
At VisaMadeEZ, an immigration law firm focused on helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses, we’re breaking down what this change means for your recruitment and immigration plans and how to use it to your advantage.
What Did USCIS Announce?
USCIS, part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), approved The Evaluation Company to issue:
- Health care worker certificates under:
- INA § 212(a)(5)(C) (8 U.S.C. § 1182(a)(5)(C)), and
- Certified statements (alternative credentials) under:
- INA § 212(r) (8 U.S.C. § 1182(r))
This approval applies to foreign nationals seeking to come to the United States primarily to work as:
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
The authorization period is:
- Start date: March 27, 2026
- End date: Thursday, March 27, 2031
During this time, The Evaluation Company is officially recognized as a USCIS-authorized healthcare credentialing organization for these categories of nurses.
Why Do International Nurses Need a Credentialing Organization?
Under U.S. immigration law, specifically sections 212(a)(5)(C) and 212(r) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and related DHS regulations (8 CFR 212.15 and 214.1), certain foreign health care workers are inadmissible to the United States unless they present a valid certificate from an authorized credentialing body.
This applies to nurses who are:
- Applying for immigrant visas (e.g., EB-3 green cards)
- Entering the U.S. as nonimmigrants (e.g., certain temporary work visas)
- Requesting change of status inside the U.S.
- Applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence
In short:
If a foreign-trained nurse will be working in certain clinical roles in the U.S., they generally must have a health care worker certification from a USCIS-approved organization. Without that certificate, they may be found inadmissible and denied entry or status.
Who Are the Other Approved Credentialing Organizations?
DHS regulations at 8 CFR 212.15(e) expressly authorize several organizations to issue these certificates, including:
- Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
- Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT)
Additionally, under 8 CFR 212.15(h), CGFNS is specifically authorized to issue alternative certified statements under INA § 212(r).
Now, The Evaluation Company joins this list as an approved entity for nurses under both INA § 212(a)(5)(C) and 212(r).
USCIS keeps a current list of all authorized organizations on its website, along with guidance on health care worker certification, at:
> https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/health-care-worker-certification
How Did The Evaluation Company Get Approved?
DHS regulations at 8 CFR 212.15(j) and (k) set out detailed standards for approving additional credentialing organizations. These standards include:
- Filing Form I-905, Application for Authorization to Issue Certification for Health Care Workers
- Undergoing review by USCIS
- Consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Demonstrating compliance with specific professional, educational, and evaluative standards
After reviewing The Evaluation Company’s Form I-905 and consulting with HHS, USCIS approved the application on March 27, 2026.
Per 8 CFR 212.15(k):
- The authorization is valid for 5 years (through March 27, 2031),
- Subject to periodic review and possible termination under 8 CFR 212.15(l) and (m) if standards are not maintained.
USCIS is required by regulation (8 CFR 212.15(e) and (h)) to notify the public of new approvals via publication in the Federal Register, which is the legal basis for this announcement.
What This Means for Healthcare Employers Hiring International Nurses
For hospitals, long-term care facilities, and healthcare organizations recruiting foreign-educated nurses, this news impacts:
1. More Options for Credentialing
Previously, many healthcare employers and international nurses primarily relied on CGFNS for nurse certification. The approval of The Evaluation Company:
- Adds another USCIS-recognized option for obtaining the required certificate
- May help reduce bottlenecks or delays if one organization is backlogged
- Allows employers to compare processing times, costs, and services across credentialing providers
2. Compliance with Health Care Worker Certification Rules
Whether you’re sponsoring nurses for:
- EB-3 immigrant visas
- Certain temporary work visas
- Adjustment of status inside the U.S.,
you must ensure each nurse has a valid healthcare worker certificate from a USCIS-authorized organization such as The Evaluation Company, CGFNS, or others listed by USCIS.
Using a non-approved entity can lead to:
- Visa delays or denials
- Findings of inadmissibility
- Costly case corrections and lost time for both employer and candidate
3. Strategic Workforce Planning
International nurse recruitment is a long-term strategy. Knowing that The Evaluation Company’s authorization:
- Begins March 27, 2026
- Expires March 27, 2031
helps HR and talent acquisition teams plan multi-year hiring pipelines, especially for ongoing international nurse recruitment programs.
What This Means for International Nurses
If you’re a foreign-trained nurse looking to work in the United States, this update:
- Confirms that The Evaluation Company is now recognized by USCIS as a legitimate credentialing organization for:
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
- Gives you another option to obtain the nurse certification required for:
- Immigrant visas (green cards)
- Some temporary visas
- Change of status or adjustment of status within the U.S.
Before choosing a credentialing provider, it’s important to:
- Confirm the organization is listed on the official USCIS website
- Understand what documents, exams, and verifications are required
- Coordinate with your U.S. employer or immigration attorney so your certification aligns with your overall immigration strategy
How VisaMadeEZ Can Help Healthcare Organizations and Nurses
At VisaMadeEZ, we focus specifically on immigration for healthcare professionals, with a strong emphasis on helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses. We assist with:
- End-to-end immigration planning for nurse recruitment programs
- Guidance on health care worker certification requirements under INA § 212(a)(5)(C) and 212(r)
- Coordination with USCIS-approved credentialing organizations, including The Evaluation Company and others
- Preparation and filing of:
- Immigrant visa petitions (such as EB-3 for nurses)
- Nonimmigrant visa petitions where applicable
- Adjustment of status and consular processing
- Ensuring full compliance with DHS and USCIS regulations to reduce risk and delays
We help employers:
- Build compliant, scalable international nurse recruitment pipelines
- Avoid common legal pitfalls related to health care worker certifications
- Align credentialing, licensing, and immigration timelines for smoother onboarding
Need Help Navigating Nurse Certification and Immigration?
If your organization is planning to:
- Expand international nurse recruitment, or
- Review your current immigration and credentialing processes in light of USCIS’s approval of The Evaluation Company,
VisaMadeEZ can provide tailored legal support.
Contact VisaMadeEZ to:
- Evaluate your current use of credentialing organizations
- Integrate The Evaluation Company (and other USCIS-authorized bodies) into your hiring strategy
- Ensure your international nurse immigration cases fully comply with INA requirements and USCIS regulations
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