Registered nurse jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship usually lead straight to a green card. Registered nurses are a Schedule A occupation, which means U.S. employers can skip the normal labor-market test (PERM recruitment) and file an EB-3 immigrant petition directly with USCIS.
The trade-off is time: you must pass the NCLEX-RN, obtain a VisaScreen certificate and then wait for your priority date in the Visa Bulletin, which can take years depending on your country. This guide explains every step, real BLS salary data, hospitals and agencies, and how to avoid contract traps.
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Registered Nurse Jobs in the USA at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Main visa | EB-3 green card (Schedule A – no PERM recruitment) |
| Typical pay | BLS median $93,600 per year (May 2024) |
| Licensing | NCLEX-RN + state board of nursing licence |
| Certification | CGFNS VisaScreen healthcare worker certificate |
| Wait time | Depends on the Visa Bulletin for your country |
| Best for | Nurses with a degree, 1–2+ years of experience and strong English |
1. Types of Registered Nurse Jobs Available in the USA
Hospital Medical-Surgical Nurse
The most common entry role for international nurses.
Critical Care and Emergency Nurse
ICU, ER and telemetry units with higher pay differentials.
Operating Room and Specialty Nurse
OR, labor and delivery, oncology and dialysis.
Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation Nurse
Skilled nursing facilities often sponsor through staffing agencies.
Travel Nurse (after arrival)
Short contracts across states – usually only after you hold a green card.
2. Registered Nurse Salary Ranges in the USA (2026)
U.S. nurse pay varies strongly by state and city. BLS national data:
| Measure | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (RN) | $93,600 | May 2024 |
| Mean annual wage (RN) | $98,430 | May 2024 |
| High-paying states | Above median | California, Hawaii, Oregon and others pay more |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024).
3. Visa Types for Foreign Registered Nurses in the USA
A U.S. employer must petition for you; the right category for registered nurses depends on whether the job is temporary or permanent and on your education.
| Visa | Who it is for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-3 (Schedule A) | Main route for foreign RNs – green card on arrival | Yes | USCIS – EB-3 |
| H-1B | Only for nursing roles that require a bachelor’s degree (e.g. some specialist/manager roles); lottery applies | Yes | USCIS – H-1B |
| TN (USMCA) | Canadian and Mexican registered nurses | Yes | USCIS – TN |
Before a visa is issued you need a healthcare worker certificate such as CGFNS VisaScreen, which checks your education, licence and English. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN (or hold a full licence in the state of employment).
Filing fees change; check the USCIS fee schedule. H-2B employers must not seek recruitment fees from workers (DOL worker protections).
4. List of Companies Offering Registered Nurse Jobs With Visa Sponsorship – Contacts and Addresses
These are real, well-known employers of registered nurses in the USA. We list the head-office location and the official careers page – the only safe place to apply. Being on this list does not mean a company is hiring or sponsoring foreign workers right now; each posting states its own requirements.
| Company | Head office | Official website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Healthcare | Nashville, TN | Careers page | Large hospital system |
| CommonSpirit Health | Chicago, IL | Careers page | Hospital system in many states |
| Ascension | St. Louis, MO | Careers page | Catholic health system |
5. Employment Agencies to Find Registered Nurse Opportunities – International Recruitment
Recruiters can introduce you to employers, but only a U.S. employer can file your petition. We list head offices and official websites; contact them only through these sites.
| Agency | Head office | Official website | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMN Healthcare | Dallas, TX | www.amnhealthcare.com | International nurse recruitment |
| Avant Healthcare Professionals | See website | www.avanthealthcare.com | International nurse recruitment |
| Conexus MedStaff | See website | www.conexusmedstaff.com | International nurse recruitment |
| Health Carousel | See website | www.healthcarousel.com | International nurse recruitment |
| PRS Global | See website | www.prsglobal.com | International nurse recruitment |
| Robert Half | Menlo Park, CA | www.roberthalf.com | Professional and technical recruitment |
| Randstad USA | Atlanta, GA | www.randstadusa.com | Industrial, healthcare, IT staffing |
| Adecco USA | Jacksonville, FL | www.adeccousa.com | Industrial and hospitality staffing |
For legal help use a licensed U.S. attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative (DOJ accreditation program); the American Immigration Lawyers Association has a lawyer search.
6. Visa Requirements for Employment – Requirements and Documents
- Valid passport
- Approved petition (Form I-797) or, for green cards, approved I-140 and NVC case number
- Signed job offer and reference letters with dates, duties and hours
- NCLEX-RN results and state licence (or eligibility)
- CGFNS VisaScreen certificate
- Nursing school transcripts and home-country licence verification
- English test results (IELTS or TOEFL) where required for VisaScreen
- DS-160 (temporary) or DS-260 (immigrant) confirmation
- Medical exam by a panel physician and police certificates (immigrant visas)
7. Steps to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Registered Nurse – How to Apply
- Agree the visa route with the employer (H-2B, EB-3 or H-1B).
- Search real job orders on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov and certified employers on FLAG.dol.gov.
- Apply directly to the employer or its named recruiter and interview.
- The employer files labor certification with the Department of Labor, then the USCIS petition.
- Complete the DS-160/DS-260, pay the fee and attend the embassy interview (wait times).
- Travel and work for the petitioning employer.
Possible websites to apply for sponsorship visas
- SeasonalJobs.dol.gov – official H-2A/H-2B job orders
- FLAG.dol.gov – certification data
- travel.state.gov – employment-based immigrant visas
- Official careers pages of the employers above
8. Pathways That Can Give a Green Card (Permanent Residence)
The main permanent route for registered nurses is an employment-based green card: PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor (unless exempt), Form I-140, then waiting for your priority date in the Visa Bulletin.
| Pathway | How it works | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| EB-3 skilled worker (Schedule A) | Immigrant visa – you arrive as a permanent resident | USCIS – EB-3 |
| EB-2 | Nurse practitioners or RNs with advanced degrees in qualifying roles | USCIS – EB-2 |
Because nurses usually immigrate on EB-3, the green card is the visa itself. The October 2026 Visa Bulletin EB-3 Final Action Dates were May 15, 2024 for most countries, August 15, 2023 for the Philippines and January 1, 2014 for India – so waiting times differ hugely by country of birth.
Track cases on USCIS case status and CEAC. Policies changed often in 2025–2026, so confirm rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov.
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
- Education: a nursing degree or diploma comparable to U.S. RN education.
- Licence: pass the NCLEX-RN; each state board sets its own rules.
- English: VisaScreen requires English test scores unless exempt.
- Admissibility: no disqualifying criminal or immigration history and truthful forms.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification, Embassy Contacts and Verification
After USCIS approval you interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate (directory: usembassy.gov). Contacts below are from official embassy pages (checked October 2026).
| Country | Mission | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | U.S. Embassy Abuja | Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja | +234 209 461 4000 | Official page |
| India | U.S. Embassy New Delhi | Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 | +91-11-2419-8000 | Official page |
| Philippines | U.S. Embassy Manila | 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 | +63-2-5301-2000 | Official page |
How to verify a job offer or visa
- Check the employer on FLAG.dol.gov or the job order on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov.
- Verify receipt numbers on USCIS case status.
- Never pay via personal accounts or gift cards; read the USCIS scam guide.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Signing a contract with high “breach fees” without legal review.
- Assuming H-1B is the normal route for staff nurses – it usually is not.
- Paying for a “guaranteed” U.S. job or green card.
- Treating a recruiter as your sponsor – only the employer can petition.
- Working on a tourist visa.
- Inconsistent work history between CV, petition and DS-160/DS-260.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
Sponsoring agencies sometimes include flights, temporary housing and NCLEX support; read the contract length and repayment terms carefully. Get health insurance through your employer and apply for a Social Security number after arrival.
| Topic | What to know | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | Usually through the employer | HealthCare.gov |
| Social Security number | Needed for payroll | ssa.gov |
| Newcomer guide | Official information | USA.gov |
Conclusion
Registered nurse jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship offer a direct green-card route through EB-3 Schedule A. Success depends on passing the NCLEX, obtaining VisaScreen and understanding your country’s Visa Bulletin wait.
Next step: pass the NCLEX-RN, compare reputable recruiters and hospitals above and check the latest Visa Bulletin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do U.S. hospitals sponsor foreign nurses?
Yes, mostly through EB-3 green cards. Registered nurses are on Schedule A, so the employer does not need PERM recruitment.
How long does the EB-3 process take for nurses?
It depends on your priority date and country of birth. Check the monthly Visa Bulletin; some countries have multi-year backlogs.
Do I need the NCLEX to get a U.S. nursing visa?
Yes, in practice. You need to pass the NCLEX-RN or hold a full licence in the state of employment.
What is VisaScreen?
A CGFNS certificate that verifies your education, licence and English, required for foreign healthcare workers.
How much do RNs earn in the USA?
BLS reports a national median of $93,600 per year (May 2024).
Do I have to pay a recruiter to get a U.S. visa?
No legitimate route requires you to buy a job. H-2B rules prohibit employers and their recruiters from charging workers recruitment fees, and you should never pay anyone who “guarantees” a visa.
Next guide: Hotel Jobs in the USA With H-2B Visa Sponsorship →
Important: ConvertKind Jobs is an independent information website. We are not an employer, recruiter or immigration adviser, we do not offer jobs or visas and we never charge fees. Rules, wages and fees change often, so always confirm details on the official government websites linked in this guide or with a licensed immigration professional before you apply or pay anyone.