Registered Nurses — United States Visa Sponsorship
Primary route: EB-3
Why Registered Nurses matter in United States
The EB-3 nursing route is one of the most reliable US immigration pathways — no lottery, high approval rates, and "Schedule A" status (pre-certified labor shortage) means no separate PERM labor certification required. Wait times for Indian and Philippine nationals can be multi-year due to per-country caps.
Visa rules overview
EB-3 nurses need an approved I-140 immigrant petition from a US healthcare employer, plus a passed NCLEX-RN and VisaScreen. Because nursing is on Schedule A, PERM is waived. Priority date (place in queue) matters most — for Indian and Philippine nurses, current wait times can extend beyond 3 years.
Available routes:
- EB-3 (employment-based third preference)
- H-1B (in limited cases)
- TN (for Canadian/Mexican nurses via USMCA)
Top US sponsors for Registered Nurses
- HCA Healthcare
- Kaiser Permanente
- Cleveland Clinic
- Mount Sinai Health
- UCLA Health
Common hiring cities: New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Miami, Dallas
US certification requirements
NCLEX-RN passing score + CGFNS credential evaluation for internationally-educated nurses. VisaScreen certification required for EB-3 visa issuance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a United States visa as a Registered Nurse?
EB-3 nurses need an approved I-140 immigrant petition from a US healthcare employer, plus a passed NCLEX-RN and VisaScreen. Because nursing is on Schedule A, PERM is waived. Priority date (place in queue) matters most — for Indian and Philippine nurses, current wait times can extend beyond 3 years.
Which companies sponsor Registered Nurses?
HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic, Mount Sinai Health, UCLA Health — plus smaller and regional employers not listed.
What salary should I expect?
Typical range: $70,000 – $130,000 USD. Salaries trend higher at large-cap tech, finance, and consulting employers.
Do I need local certification?
NCLEX-RN passing score + CGFNS credential evaluation for internationally-educated nurses. VisaScreen certification required for EB-3 visa issuance.