Many healthcare employers in the United States are exploring international recruitment to address ongoing nurse staffing shortages. However, not every nursing role qualifies for every immigration pathway. The process for sponsoring an international nurse depends on the nurse’s job duties, credentials, and long-term employment plans. Understanding which roles qualify for temporary work visas and which are best suited for green card sponsorship is essential for planning.

This guide explains which nursing roles may qualify for temporary work visas, when the EB3 Schedule A green card process is appropriate, and how employers can plan timelines and onboarding.

Which Nursing Roles Can Qualify for Work Visas

Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and the H1B

Some nursing positions require graduate-level clinical education and national certification. These roles often qualify for the H1B work visa because the position itself requires advanced academic preparation and professional clinical judgment.

Examples include:

• Nurse Practitioners
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
• Certified Nurse Midwives

These roles generally require a master’s degree or higher, which satisfies the H1B requirement that the position require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field.

Specialized and Leadership Roles That May Qualify

Some non-bedside nursing roles may qualify for the H1B if the job duties require advanced clinical reasoning or supervisory authority. To qualify, the employer must document that the role requires a bachelor’s degree or higher as a minimum entry requirement.

Examples include:

• Nurse Educators in clinical or academic training settings
• Infection Prevention or Quality Improvement nursing positions
• Clinical Informatics roles involving data interpretation
• Nurse Managers or Unit Directors responsible for staffing, scheduling, evaluations, and operational oversight

These cases are strongest when the employer can show that all employees in the role are required to have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Why Most Bedside Registered Nurse Roles Do Not Qualify for the H1B

To qualify for the H1B, the position must require at least a bachelor’s degree as the minimum entry requirement. Standard bedside Registered Nurse positions do not meet this requirement because U.S. nursing boards permit RN licensure with an Associate Degree in Nursing, and the U.S. Department of Labor recognizes associate, bachelor’s, and diploma programs as valid entry pathways into RN practice.

Because the occupation does not uniformly require a bachelor’s degree, USCIS generally finds that bedside RN roles do not qualify for the H1B, even when the nurse personally holds a BSN.

Most bedside Registered Nurses are therefore sponsored through permanent residence pathways rather than temporary work visas.

TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Nurses

Registered Nurse is listed as a qualifying profession under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Nurses who are citizens of Canada or Mexico may qualify for the TN visa if they meet credentialing and licensure requirements. For eligible nurses, the TN can provide one of the fastest routes to employment in the United States.

EB3 Schedule A Green Card for Registered Nurses

For most bedside Registered Nurses, the EB3 Schedule A green card process is the primary sponsorship pathway. Registered Nurses are designated by the U.S. Department of Labor as a Schedule A shortage occupation, which allows employers to sponsor them for permanent residence without completing the labor certification process required in most other employment-based green card cases.

After the employer files the immigrant petition, the nurse will either pursue Adjustment of Status within the United States or complete Consular Processing abroad. Visa availability in the EB3 category varies by country of birth. Some nurses may wait many months to several years between petition approval and the point when the green card can be issued. Understanding projected timelines early helps employers plan staffing continuity and onboarding schedules.

Practical Planning Considerations for Employers

Selecting the correct sponsorship pathway depends on the nurse’s credentials and job duties. Advanced practice and certain specialist roles may qualify for the H1B. Canadian and Mexican nurses may qualify for the TN. Most bedside nurses are sponsored under the EB3 Schedule A category, which provides a permanent residence option.

Nurses must still meet U.S. licensing requirements before beginning work. Coordinating the timing of the NCLEX examination, VisaScreen certification, and state licensure early in the process helps avoid delays.

Clear coordination between the employer, nursing leadership, and immigration counsel supports smoother onboarding and long-term staffing stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a hospital sponsor a bedside Registered Nurse for a work visa in the United States?
Most bedside RN positions do not qualify for the H1B, but they can be sponsored for the EB3 Schedule A green card.

How can a nurse immigrate to the United States to work?
Most bedside nurses immigrate through the EB3 Schedule A green card process, while advanced practice and specialist roles may qualify for temporary visas.

Can Canadian and Mexican nurses work in the United States?
Yes. Canadian and Mexican nurses may qualify for the TN visa category if they meet credentialing and licensing requirements.

Does a nurse need to pass the NCLEX before working in the United States?
Yes. Nurses must meet U.S. licensure requirements before they may begin practicing.

By: Adena Bowman

Adena Bowman is a Senior Associate Attorney at Reddy Neumann Brown PC with over 12 years of experience in U.S. immigration law. She helps clients ranging from small businesses to large multinational corporations bring workers to the U.S. and stay compliant with immigration regulations. She also guides individual clients through employment, investment, and family-based immigration matters. Clients rely on her for clear guidance, strategic planning, and personalized support in navigating complex immigration challenges.