There is no single "nurse visa" in US law. Most foreign-trained registered nurses (RNs) work in the US through an employer-sponsored EB-3 green card under Schedule A. A few use temporary categories such as H-1B, TN or J-1. Every route also needs a state nursing license, and that is a separate process from the visa.
This guide covers the routes, the documents, the order of steps and the proposed NURSE Visa Act.
TL;DR
- The Congressional Research Service states that US law has no visa created only for health-care professionals. Nurses most often use employment-based EB-3 for permanent residence.
- Professional nurses are in Schedule A, Group I. A Schedule A petition does not need a DOL-approved labor certification, but it still needs a US employer and a permanent job offer.
- A visa, a VisaScreen certificate and a state license are three different things. None replaces the others.
- The NURSE Visa Act is a proposal. It is not law, so plan around the routes that exist today.
- Visa number availability, shown in the monthly Visa Bulletin, sets the real waiting time.
Table of Contents
- Does the US hire foreign nurses?
- The main routes at a glance
- EB-3 Schedule A: the usual nurse green card
- Credentials: VisaScreen, NCLEX-RN and the state license
- Step by step: from job search to green card
- Temporary options
- The NURSE Visa Act: what it would change
- Perspective
- Find roles and employers that fit
- Common mistakes to avoid
- FAQ
- Sources
Does the US hire foreign nurses?
Yes. US employers recruit internationally trained nurses, and many hospital systems run programs for them. The route is not a general work visa. It is a sponsored one: an employer in the US has to petition for the nurse.
Two older nurse-specific programs, H-1A and H-1C, have expired. Articles that still describe them as open are out of date.
The same Congressional Research Service report lists the temporary options that can apply to nurses: H-1B, J-1, TN, O, H-2B and other category-specific routes. In practice, a permanent route is the one most nurses and employers plan around.
The main routes at a glance
| Route | Type | Who it fits | Employer needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-3 Schedule A (Group I) | Permanent (green card) | RNs with a job offer from a US employer | Yes, files Form I-140 |
| H-1B | Temporary | Roles that qualify as a specialty occupation | Yes |
| TN | Temporary | Eligible Canadian and Mexican citizens, under the USMCA categories | Yes, a job offer |
| J-1 | Temporary | Exchange or training programs | Sponsor organization |
| O and H-2B | Temporary | Narrow cases | Yes |
The table is a map, not advice on your case. Eligibility for each temporary category depends on the job, your nationality and the employer. An immigration attorney or the employer's immigration counsel can confirm which one applies.
EB-3 Schedule A: the usual nurse green card
USCIS states that EB-3 covers skilled workers, professionals and other workers, and that it generally requires a US employer to file Form I-140. A professional position normally needs at least a US bachelor's degree or a foreign equivalent. A skilled-worker position needs at least two years of training or experience.
Schedule A is what makes nursing different. Normally an employer must obtain a labor certification (PERM) first. USCIS identifies professional nurses as Schedule A, Group I occupations, so the employer can submit Schedule A evidence with the I-140 in place of a separately certified labor certification.
What Schedule A does not remove:
- A permanent, full-time job offer.
- A sponsoring US employer.
- The Schedule A materials, including a valid prevailing-wage determination tracking number.
For the credential evidence, a US immigration law firm explains that the employer submits proof of a CGFNS certificate, an unrestricted permanent license in the intended state, or NCLEX-RN passage.
Who files and who pays
The employer is the petitioner. The nurse does not file the I-140. Ask the employer, in writing, which immigration costs it covers before you sign a contract. Contract terms such as repayment of costs if you leave early vary by employer, so read them with an attorney if anything is unclear.
Credentials: VisaScreen, NCLEX-RN and the state license
These three items cause most of the confusion. Keep them apart.
VisaScreen (health-care-worker certification)
Federal rules require certain health-care workers to be certified before they receive an occupational visa or an immigrant petition approval. USCIS states that registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses are covered by the rule in 8 CFR 212.15. TruMerit, a DHS-approved credentialing organization for registered nurses, states that foreign nurses generally need a US-based employer as petitioner and a VisaScreen certificate.
The certificate is an immigration admissibility document. The regulation says it does not itself authorize professional practice. It cannot stand in for an RN license.
NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam for RNs. Whether you must pass it depends on the state board and on your education. TruMerit states that foreign-educated applicants commonly go through credential evaluation and may need to pass NCLEX-RN.
The state nursing license
A US nursing license comes from the board of nursing in the state where you will practice, and requirements differ by state. The American Nurses Association describes a two-step process for foreign-educated nurses, and notes that the license is separate from the work visa.
A job offer or a sponsorship promise does not authorize you to work. Employment needs a work-authorizing immigration status, and nursing practice needs the state license. Both apply.
If you plan to work in more than one state, read about the Nurse Licensure Compact: which states take part and who can apply for a multistate license.
Step by step: from job search to green card
The order below is typical. Timing differs by state board, employer and country of birth.
- Check your education and experience. Confirm that your degree and license match what a state board and USCIS expect.
- Choose a target state. The board there decides your license requirements, so pick before you apply for anything.
- Get a credential evaluation and start licensing. Many foreign-educated applicants complete a credential evaluation and then register for NCLEX-RN.
- Find a sponsoring employer. The employer offers a permanent, full-time RN job and agrees to petition.
- Employer files Form I-140 under Schedule A. This includes the prevailing-wage determination and the credential evidence.
- Wait for a visa number. Roughly 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are available each fiscal year, across all categories and countries. You may proceed to adjustment of status or receive an immigrant visa only when a number is available.
- Finish the green card. A nurse already lawfully in the US and eligible to adjust status files Form I-485. A nurse abroad generally uses consular processing through the Department of State, including Form DS-260 and an immigrant visa interview.
- Enter, finalize your license and start work. Keep your VisaScreen certificate and license documents ready for the employer's onboarding.
Costs and delays
USCIS filing fees change. Check the official USCIS fee schedule for the current I-140 and I-485 amounts instead of relying on a blog's figure.
Premium processing is an optional USCIS service for eligible I-140 petitions. Faster agency action means a decision, an approval, a denial or a request for evidence. It does not create visa availability, so the Visa Bulletin still controls when you can move to the final stage.
Waiting times depend on your country of birth and your priority date. A monthly Visa Bulletin tracker for EB-3 nurses shows how priority dates have moved, and the official Department of State bulletin is the source of record.
Temporary options
Not every nurse starts with a green card. The Congressional Research Service names H-1B, J-1, TN and others as possible temporary routes. Which one is workable depends on the job and the person:
- TN: only for citizens of Canada and Mexico, and only where the job fits the USMCA categories.
- H-1B: the role has to qualify as a specialty occupation, and the employer files for you.
- J-1: tied to an approved exchange or training program.
Temporary status can be a bridge. It does not replace the state license, and it does not guarantee a later green card.
The NURSE Visa Act: what it would change
The National Urgent Recruitment for Skilled Employees (NURSE) Visa Act was introduced by Rep. Don Beyer on February 4, 2026. According to the sponsor's announcement, it would create 20,000 nonimmigrant visas per fiscal year for foreign nurses working in areas the Health Resources and Services Administration has determined have a nursing workforce shortage.
A bill is not law. Until Congress passes it and the agencies publish rules, it changes nothing for applicants. Do not pay anyone who says they can file under it. Track its status on Congress.gov and keep following the EB-3 route if your employer is ready to petition.
Perspective
Most nurses we hear from lose time on the same two points. They treat the visa as the finish line, and they look for employers one generic job board at a time.
A visa is one document in a chain. The state license, VisaScreen and the employer petition all have to line up. A nurse who understands the order can ask better questions in interviews.
We built ConnectedMedics for healthcare professionals only. Our network is designed around verified profiles, specialty filters and a global jobs board, so nurses can find relevant roles and connect with peers instead of sorting through unrelated listings. We also publish guides on licensing, compacts and credential checks in our Knowledge Hub.
Our view: start with the target state and the employer, then work backward through the paperwork.
David
Find roles and employers that fit
ConnectedMedics lists over 22,000 active healthcare vacancies worldwide, with specialty-specific filters and verified member profiles. Nurses can browse roles, follow clinical content in the Knowledge Hub and connect with peers in their specialty.
Employers hiring nurses can post jobs and reach verified clinicians. The Growth plan is £99 per month, and Free and Enterprise plans are also available on the same page. Larger hospital teams can look at the Premium Employer plan.
After you have an offer, employers will run checks on your history. Two guides explain what is typically verified: healthcare background check requirements and how primary source verification works for credentialing teams.
If you have been out of practice, see the guide to nurse reentry programs. For physicians moving across borders, the guide on medical registration across borders is a starting point.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a sponsorship offer lets you work. It does not. You need a work-authorizing status and a state license.
- Confusing VisaScreen with a license. The certificate is for immigration only.
- Picking a state last. License rules differ by state, so choose early.
- Relying on expired categories. H-1A and H-1C no longer exist as current routes.
- Paying for a "guaranteed" visa. No agency can guarantee approval or a visa number. Confirm the petitioner is a real US employer and ask who files the I-140.
- Skipping legal advice on temporary status. Eligibility for H-1B, TN or J-1 depends on facts a licensed immigration attorney can review.
FAQ
Is there a special visa for nurses in the USA?
No. US law has no visa dedicated only to health-care professionals. Nurses most often use the employment-based EB-3 green card under Schedule A, and some use temporary categories like H-1B, TN or J-1.
How does a nurse get a green card in the USA?
A US employer offers a permanent, full-time job and files Form I-140 under Schedule A, Group I. After a visa number is available, the nurse adjusts status with Form I-485 or completes consular processing abroad. VisaScreen and the correct state licensing documents are part of the process.
Does a VisaScreen certificate let me work as a nurse?
No. It is an immigration admissibility document under 8 CFR 212.15 and does not authorize practice. You still need a license from the state board of nursing where you will work.
Does the NURSE Visa Act change my options now?
No. It was introduced in February 2026 and would create 20,000 nonimmigrant visas a year for nurses in shortage areas. Until it becomes law, the existing routes apply.
Can I use a tourist or visitor visa to look for nursing work?
A visitor visa does not authorize employment. Use the sponsored routes above. For your own situation, speak with an immigration attorney before you travel.
Sources
- Permanent Workers | USCIS
- Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3 | USCIS
- Health Care Worker Certification | USCIS
- 8 CFR 212.15 | eCFR
- Congressional Research Service report R47528
- How to Work as a Nurse in the U.S. | TruMerit
- U.S. Nursing Sponsorship: EB-3 and Schedule A
- Green Card for Nurses (EB-3 Schedule A)
- EB-3 Visa for Nurses: Requirements, Process, and Costs
- EB-3 Nurse Green Card Guide 2026
- Beyer introduces NURSE Visa Act