New Zealand is renowned for its world-class healthcare system and offers abundant opportunities for skilled healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. If you’re an Indian nurse eager to advance your career in New Zealand, the first step is ensuring your credentials are properly verified. The credential verification process is managed by CGFNS International, Inc. (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools), which helps foreign-trained nurses meet New Zealand’s high standards for nursing practice.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the current processing times for CGFNS as of 2025, providing a comprehensive guide for Indian nurses. We’ll explore eligibility requirements, the step-by-step application process, and factors influencing processing times, and offer tips to expedite the process.
What is CGFNS and Why It Matters for Indian Nurses?
CGFNS International, Inc. is a globally recognized organization that plays a crucial role in the credential verification of internationally trained nurses. For Indian nurses, CGFNS ensures that your nursing qualifications and professional experience meet the standards set by New Zealand’s Nursing Council (NCNZ).
The key service you’ll be using is the Credentials Verification Service for the Nursing Council of New Zealand (CVS-NCNZ). This service provides a verified Credentials Verification Report that is sent directly to NCNZ, aiding in your registration as a nurse in New Zealand.
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Nurses
Before applying for CGFNS verification, it’s important to meet certain eligibility criteria set by both CGFNS and the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Here are the key requirements:
- Active Nursing License: You must hold an active nursing license from India. If you’re a new graduate, ensure you have registered with the Indian Nursing Council (INC) or your respective state council before applying for CGFNS services.
- Post-Registration Nursing Experience: To proceed with the CGFNS verification, New Zealand requires that you have a minimum of 1,800 hours of post-registration nursing experience. This means you need to have worked as a registered nurse in India (or another recognized country) for at least 1,800 hours before CGFNS can process your credentials.
- Educational Qualifications: Your educational qualifications, such as your Diploma in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.), or other advanced degrees, must meet New Zealand’s standards. CGFNS will evaluate whether your qualifications are equivalent to New Zealand’s nursing education requirements.
- English Language Proficiency: If your nursing education was not conducted in English, you will need to provide proof of English language proficiency through tests like IELTS or OET.
Step-by-Step Guide to the CGFNS Application Process
Applying for the Credentials Verification Service for NCNZ (CVS-NCNZ) involves a few essential steps. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Make an Account on Portal
To start, create an account on the CGFNS website. This account will serve as your portal to access and manage your application. Once created, you can track your application’s status and access important updates.
Step 2: Select the CVS-NCNZ Service
After logging into your CGFNS account, navigate to the Service Selector page and choose the Credentials Verification Service for NCNZ (CVS-NCNZ). You will also need to select your professional title (e.g., Registered Nurse) as part of the service request.
Step 3: Complete Your Applicant Profile
In this step, you will provide essential personal and professional information, including:
- Personal Information: Full name, address, contact details, and nationality.
- Educational History: Details of your nursing qualifications (degree, institution, dates).
- Professional Experience: Information about your work experience as a nurse, including the number of hours worked, employer details, and job descriptions.
Ensure that the information you enter matches your official documents to prevent any issues during the verification process.
Step 4: Purchase the CVS-NCNZ Service
Once your profile is complete, you will need to purchase the CVS-NCNZ service. The cost is 380 USD, which covers the entire verification process. You can make the payment online using a credit or debit card. After payment, you will receive an email with further instructions, including how to upload your documents.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
At this stage, you’ll need to upload several important notarized documents. These include:
- A valid passport (with full name).
- Another government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or national ID card).
- Any legal documents that show name changes (e.g., marriage certificate or name change affidavit).
- Educational certificates (such as your nursing diploma or degree).
- Translations (if any documents are not in English).
Note that all documents must be notarized (certified by a notary public). CGFNS offers translation services for a fee.
Step 6: Self-Declare Your Nursing Experience
You will also need to self-declare the 1,800 hours of post-registration nursing experience required by New Zealand. Even if you haven’t completed these hours yet, you can still apply, but your report won’t be issued until you’ve met this requirement.
Ensure that you submit supporting documents such as work certificates and job descriptions to verify your experience.
Step 7: Send Forms to Relevant Authorities
CGFNS will provide forms that must be filled out and signed by authorized officials from your educational institution or licensing body. These forms will verify your nursing qualifications and licensing. CGFNS does not accept forms submitted directly by applicants, so ensure they are sent directly from the issuing authorities.
Step 8: Submit Proof of English Language Proficiency
If your education wasn’t conducted in English, you must provide results from an approved English language test such as:
- IELTS: Minimum score of 7 in reading, listening, and speaking, and 6.5 in writing.
- OET: Minimum score of 300 for writing and 350 for speaking, listening, and reading.
If you have nursing registration in an English-speaking country or have completed your education in English, you may be able to bypass the language proficiency requirement through the English Language Evidence Pathway.
Factors Affecting CGFNS Processing Time for Indian Nurses
The processing time for CGFNS verification is generally influenced by several factors:
- Delayed Document Submission: On average, it takes 14 weeks for CGFNS to receive all required documents from educational institutions, employers, or licensing bodies. Delays in getting these documents can significantly extend the overall processing time.
- Verification by Institutions: The speed at which institutions process and submit verification forms also plays a role. Some institutions may take longer to provide the necessary documents.
- Rejected Documentation: If CGFNS rejects any documents due to discrepancies, missing information, or translation issues, the processing time will be extended.
- Country-Specific Variability: In some cases, institutions in different countries may take longer to provide verification, especially in countries with less streamlined systems.
Average Processing Time for 2025
Here’s a general breakdown of CGFNS processing time:
- Waiting for Documents: 14 weeks (average)
- Processing and Evaluation: 2 weeks (average)
- Total Processing Time: 16 weeks (average)
It’s important to note that these times are averages and can be influenced by the factors mentioned above.
Tips to Avoid Delays and Expedite Your Application
- Be Proactive: Start gathering and submitting your documents well in advance. The quicker you can submit everything, the faster your application will be processed.
- Ensure Accuracy: Double-check that all the information provided is accurate and matches your official documents to avoid rejections or delays.
- Use Digital Verification: Encourage your institutions and employers to use the Credential Transfer Portal for secure and fast document submission.
What Happens after CGFNS Processing is Complete?
Once CGFNS processes your application and verifies your credentials, they will issue the Credentials Verification Report and send it directly to NCNZ. If everything is in order, you can proceed with the next steps in your registration process with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ).
Becoming a registered nurse in New Zealand as an Indian nurse through CGFNS is a well-structured process that requires careful attention to detail. Understanding the CGFNS processing times and the steps involved will help you plan your application effectively and avoid unnecessary delays. Stay proactive, gather your documents early, and follow the steps outlined in this guide to navigate the credential verification process.
West Highlander Immigration
To make the transition to New Zealand as a registered nurse easier, you may reach out to Ms. Parwinder Kaur, an Immigration Lawyer at West Highlander Immigration. She has guided and advised many applicants through this journey successfully. With her extensive experience, she would be able to guide you quite well.