How can a nurse get a US visa?
James Craig
Published Jan 11, 2026
To obtain an H-1B visa for a foreign nurse, the U.S. employer, such as a hospital or medical clinic, would file an I-129 petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This agency decides whether or not to approve the employer's request for H-1B status for the worker.To obtain an H-1B visa for a foreign nurse, the U.S. employer, such as a hospital or medical clinic, would file an I-129 Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker is a form submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services used by employers or prospective employers to obtain (or amend the details of) a worker on a nonimmigrant visa status. › wiki › Form_I-129
Which visa is required to work as a nurse in USA?
You will need to obtain a Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa (“Green Card”) or H-1B visa. U.S. law requires nurses to complete a screening program before they can receive an occupational visa.
How can I go to US as a nurse?
Eight Steps for Foreign Educated Nurses to Work in America
- 1) Meet Education & Work Requirements. ...
- 2) Pass the IELTS Exam. ...
- 3) Pass the NCLEX Exam. ...
- 4) Obtain a VisaScreen Certificate. ...
- 5) Select an Agency to Find You a Job in the U.S. ...
- 6) Secure an Employment Based Work Visa. ...
- 7) Attend Immigrant Visa Interview.
Does the US accept foreign nurses?
You're eligible to work in the US if you're a Registered Nurse in your home country. Contact the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to see if you're qualified. When you know where in the US you'd like to work, you can apply to that state's Board of Nursing and take the NCLEX-RN.
Is it easy to get a green card as a nurse?
Typically for these nurses, the process is much easier. He or she will receive work authorization (much more quickly than through consular processing) within approximately 90 - 120 days of filing the Petition for Alien Worker and Adjustment of Status application.
33 related questions foundCan nurses be sponsored?
A nurse can be sponsored while on an F-1/OPT status and while working on his/her EAD under the Optional Practical Training period.
How much does a nurse earn in America?
In the United States overall, the average registered nurse salary is $82,750 and the median (50th percentile) is $77,600. California, with RN salaries averaging $124,000, is the highest-paying state for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the BLS).
What countries accept American nurses?
We look at the global locations offering up a great lifestyle overseas, where nurses are well rewarded for all their hard work.
- New Zealand. The New Zealand healthcare system is split between state funded and private care, with nursing opportunities available in both. ...
- Australia. ...
- Denmark. ...
- United States of America.
Is NCLEX hard to pass?
NCLEX Pass Rates
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, in 2017, the first-attempt NCLEX pass rate for U.S.-educated nursing students was 87%. The second-attempt pass rate for domestically-educated students taking the test was 45.56%. These results demonstrate that it is a pretty difficult test.
Are nurses needed in USA?
The need for registered nurses is expected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, as fast as average growth across all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Similarly, the need for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is projected to grow by 9% and nursing assistants by 8% over the same period.
How long does it take to get a green card for a nurse?
This is a process that takes a minimum of 6 months to complete and is a prerequisite to obtaining a U.S. immigrant visa. The United States has an acute shortage of nurses that is so severe that the U.S. Department of Labor pre-certified the registered nursing occupation as a shortage occupation several years ago.
Can I apply for US visa now?
Please note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates in March 2020. The process to resume routine visa services began in February 2021.
How do I apply for Cgfns?
The application for the CGFNS Certification Program® is online in the CGFNS Connect Portal. On the CGFNS.org homepage, select Apply or Login to be taken to CGFNS Connect. If you have not registered to the new CGFNS Connect Portal, please select For New Users of the New Connect Portal.
Can RN get H-1B visa?
The eligibility requirements state that a petition will only be granted if the position is considered to be a specialty occupation. In practice, this means nurses must have at least a bachelor's degree to qualify. This means general RN or LPN positions will not qualify for an H-1B visa, in most circumstances.
Do hospitals sponsor green card?
You can apply for a green card with or without sponsorship from a hospital. Employees eligible for a hospital sponsored green card must use a PIPS preferred local attorney. The attorney represents both the employer as well as the individual, regardless of who pays the legal fees.
What is an American green card?
Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card (PDF, 6.77 MB) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.
What happens if you fail the NCLEX?
If you didn't pass the exam, you'll receive a NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR). The CPR is an individualized document that shows how a candidate performed in each of the test plan content areas. Candidates who fail the exam can use the CPR as a guide to prepare them to retake the exam.
What score do you need to pass the NCLEX?
In December 2019, the NCSBN Board of Directors voted to raise the passing standard for the NCLEX-PN Examination. The new passing standard is -0.18 logits*, 0.03 logits higher than the current standard of -0.21 logits.
How many times can you take NCLEX?
Are You Limited to Retake the NCLEX-RN Exam? If you happen not to pass the exam, you can retake it after 45 days. And if you are wondering how often you can take the NCLEX, the NCSBN retake policy allows for a retake eight times a year, ensuring 45 exam-free days between each test.
Which country pay nurses most?
Luxembourg - $91,000 (USD)
Currently topping the list as the highest-paid country in the world for nurses, this tiny country in Western Europe pays its nurses very well. Because of the tiny size of the country and its tax haven laws, getting a job as a nurse is extremely difficult.
Can a US nurse work in Canada?
Nurses from other countries who want to come to Canada and start a career in healthcare can apply for a variety of immigration schemes. According to the new rule now the nurses with US NCLEX RN can work as a registered nurse in Canada.
How much is a nurse paid per hour in USA?
The average hourly pay for nurses in the U.S. is $38.74 for registered nurses and $55.05 for nurse practitioners, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' occupational employment statistics survey released March 31.
What's the highest paid nurse?
What Does a Certified Nurse Anesthetist Do? The certified registered nurse anesthetist consistently ranks as the highest paid nursing career. That is because Nurse Anesthetists are advanced and highly skilled registered nurses who work closely with medical staff during medical procedures that require anesthesia.
What type of RN makes the most money?
Highest Paid Nursing Jobs:
- Family Nurse – $113,000.
- Urgent Care Nurse – $113,000.
- Oncology Nurse – $113,000.
- Orthopedic Nurse – $115,000.
- Cardiac Nurse – $116,000.
- Emergency Room Nurse – $116,000.
- Neonatal Nurse – $127,000.
- Nurse Anesthetist – $189,000.
Where is the best country to work as a nurse?
Best Countries to Work as an International Nurse
- Australia. This country pays its nurses, on average, a salary of $56,000 per year. ...
- Canada. This country pays its nurses, on average, around $51,000 per year. ...
- Italy. This country pays its nurses, on average, a salary of $59,500 per year. ...
- Luxembourg. ...
- Virgin Islands.
