For internationally trained nurses, the EB-3 visa for nurses in the USA can provide an important employment-based pathway toward permanent residency. The process involves several stages, including professional credentialing, nursing licensure, employer sponsorship, immigration petitions, and visa processing.

This comprehensive 2026 guide explains how the EB-3 pathway for registered nurses works, what qualifications international nurses typically need, how employer sponsorship works, potential salary and benefits, major healthcare employers and recruitment agencies to research, and what to expect during the immigration process.

Whether you are a nurse currently working in the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Canada, Ireland, the UK, or another country, understanding the requirements before accepting a US job offer can help you plan your move more effectively.

 

1. WHY CONSIDER AN EB-3 VISA FOR NURSES IN THE USA IN 2026?

The United States continues to experience demand for qualified healthcare professionals, including registered nurses.

For internationally educated nurses, the US can offer competitive salaries, diverse clinical opportunities, and access to large healthcare systems across the country.

One important feature of the US immigration system is that professional nurses may qualify for Schedule A, Group I, which can allow an employer to bypass the standard PERM labor-certification process when the applicable requirements are satisfied.

This can simplify one part of the employment-based immigration process, although it does not guarantee immediate visa issuance or permanent residency.

Healthcare opportunities extend well beyond traditional coastal markets. International nurses can find employment opportunities in states and metropolitan areas such as:

• Texas
• Florida
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Ohio
• Georgia
• Arizona
• Pennsylvania

Major healthcare markets include cities such as Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta, and Phoenix.

IMPORTANT: The EB-3 process depends on employer sponsorship, professional eligibility, visa availability, and US immigration requirements. Processing times can vary substantially by applicant, country of chargeability, and Visa Bulletin availability.

 

2. REGISTERED NURSE JOB OVERVIEW AND CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Working as a registered nurse in the United States requires compliance with state nursing regulations, healthcare standards, and employer policies.

Depending on your specialty and employer, an EB-3-sponsored nursing position could involve working in areas such as:

• Medical-surgical nursing
• Intensive care
• Emergency departments
• Telemetry
• Critical care
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Women’s health
• Long-term care
• Rehabilitation

Typical nursing responsibilities may include:

• Providing evidence-based patient care.
• Assessing patients and monitoring changes in their condition.
• Administering medications according to physician orders and facility policies.
• Maintaining accurate electronic medical records.
• Communicating with physicians and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Educating patients and their families.
• Following infection-control and patient-safety procedures.
• Protecting patient information and complying with applicable privacy requirements.

US healthcare employers may use electronic medical record systems such as Epic, Oracle Health/Cerner, or other platforms.

The exact responsibilities will depend on your nursing specialty, employer, department, and state licensing requirements.

 

3. REGISTERED NURSE SALARY AND BENEFITS

Nursing compensation in the United States varies significantly based on:

• State.
• City.
• Specialty.
• Years of experience.
• Shift.
• Employer.
• Education.
• Local demand.

An $85,000 annual salary can be used as an example of a potential compensation level, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed salary for EB-3 nurses.

ILLUSTRATIVE $85,000 COMPENSATION EXAMPLE

COMPENSATION ELEMENT	EXAMPLE VALUE (USD)	NOTES
Base Annual Salary	$85,000	Actual salary depends on employer and location
Federal Income Tax	Varies	Depends on tax circumstances
Social Security & Medicare	Varies	Payroll taxes
State Income Tax	Varies	Some states have no individual income tax
401(k) Contribution	Optional	Depends on employee election
Monthly Take-Home Pay	Varies	Depends on deductions and tax status
Sign-On Bonus	If offered	Employer-specific
Health Insurance	If offered	Employer plan and employee contribution vary
Relocation Assistance	If offered	Depends on employer
Immigration Expenses	Employer-specific	Confirm what the employer covers
Total Compensation	Varies	Depends on salary and benefits

Some healthcare employers may offer additional benefits such as:

• Health insurance.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid vacation.
• Paid sick leave.
• Sign-on bonuses.
• Relocation assistance.
• Continuing education.
• Professional development support.

Always review the employment contract carefully to determine exactly which benefits are included.

 

4. UNDERSTANDING THE EB-3 GREEN CARD PATH FOR NURSES

The EB-3 immigrant visa category is an employment-based immigration route that can lead to lawful permanent residence for eligible applicants.

Registered nurses may qualify under the professional category, and nursing is also included in the Department of Labor’s Schedule A framework when the applicable requirements are met.

The general process involves several parties, including:

• The US employer.
• USCIS.
• The Department of Labor.
• The National Visa Center.
• The US Department of State.
• The relevant state nursing authority.

A SIMPLIFIED EB-3 PROCESS

1. Secure a qualifying nursing position

Find a US employer willing and able to sponsor an international nurse.

2. Complete professional credentialing

Meet the required nursing education, licensing, examination, and credentialing requirements.

3. Employer begins the immigration process

For qualifying Schedule A nursing cases, the employer generally follows the applicable Schedule A process rather than the standard PERM labor-certification process.

4. File the immigrant petition

The employer generally files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, with USCIS.

5. Wait for visa availability

The case can be affected by the applicant’s priority date and the monthly Visa Bulletin.

6. Complete consular processing or adjustment of status

Applicants outside the United States generally proceed through consular processing, while eligible applicants already in the US may potentially pursue adjustment of status.

7. Complete the required medical and background checks

The applicant must satisfy applicable medical, security, and admissibility requirements.

8. Receive immigrant visa approval

Once the applicable requirements are satisfied and the immigrant visa is issued, the applicant can travel to the United States as a permanent resident under the applicable process.

 

5. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL NURSES

International nurses must satisfy both professional licensing requirements and immigration requirements.

The exact requirements can vary depending on the state, employer, nursing specialty, and immigration circumstances.

COMMON REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• A recognized nursing qualification.
• Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN where required.
• Eligibility for nursing licensure in the relevant US state.
• Required professional credentialing.
• A qualifying US employment offer.
• Employer sponsorship.
• A valid passport and identity documentation.
• Required medical examination.
• Required background and admissibility checks.

VISASCREEN CERTIFICATION

Many internationally educated nurses pursuing US immigration will need to satisfy the applicable VisaScreen requirements administered by CGFNS International.

VisaScreen evaluates certain aspects of an internationally educated healthcare professional’s education, training, licensure, and English-language proficiency for immigration purposes.

Applicants should check the current requirements directly with CGFNS because requirements can change.

ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Depending on your circumstances, English-language evidence may be required for credentialing or immigration purposes.

Potential examinations can include:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• Other accepted examinations, depending on the applicable requirement

Do not assume that one specific English test is required for every applicant.

6. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS THAT CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION

While requirements vary, employers may prefer nurses who have:

• Two or more years of clinical experience.
• Acute-care hospital experience.
• ICU experience.
• Emergency-room experience.
• Medical-surgical experience.
• Telemetry experience.
• BLS certification.
• ACLS certification.
• NIHSS certification.
• Experience with major electronic medical record systems.
• Strong clinical communication skills.

Specialized experience can make candidates more competitive when applying for international nursing positions.

 

7. HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS AND RECRUITMENT AGENCIES TO RESEARCH

The United States has a large healthcare sector made up of hospitals, health systems, staffing organizations, and specialized international recruitment companies.

The following organizations can be researched for potential nursing opportunities:

EMPLOYER / AGENCY	DESCRIPTION	TYPE
HCA Healthcare	Large US hospital and healthcare network	Employer
Kaiser Permanente	Integrated healthcare organization	Employer
Tenet Healthcare	Major healthcare services organization	Employer
CommonSpirit Health	Large nonprofit healthcare system	Employer
Providence	Major healthcare network	Employer
Avant Healthcare Professionals	International healthcare recruitment	Agency
O’Grady Peyton International	International nurse recruitment	Agency
Shearwater Health	Healthcare workforce and staffing services	Agency
Conexus MedStaff	International nurse recruitment	Agency
AMN Healthcare	Healthcare staffing and workforce solutions	Agency

Important: A company appearing on a list of healthcare employers or recruiters does not mean that every current vacancy provides EB-3 sponsorship.

Always verify the specific vacancy and sponsorship terms directly with the employer or authorized recruiter.

WHERE TO SEARCH FOR JOBS

International nurses can research opportunities through:

• Indeed
• Nurse.com
• LinkedIn Jobs
• Glassdoor
• ZipRecruiter
• Employer career websites
• State nursing associations
• Licensed healthcare recruitment organizations

Be especially cautious about recruiters who promise a guaranteed green card, guaranteed job, or guaranteed immigration approval in exchange for large upfront payments.

 

8. COST OF LIVING VS REGISTERED NURSE SALARY

Salary is only one part of your financial planning.

Before accepting an offer, consider:

• Housing.
• Utilities.
• Transportation.
• Health insurance.
• Food.
• Taxes.
• Childcare.
• Professional licensing costs.
• Student loans.
• Remittances to family overseas.

Costs can differ dramatically between states and cities.

For example, housing in a major metropolitan area can be considerably more expensive than in smaller communities.

ILLUSTRATIVE MONTHLY BUDGET

EXPENSE	EXAMPLE MONTHLY COST
Rent / Housing	$1,000–$2,000+
Utilities & Internet	$150–$300
Groceries	$350–$600
Transportation	$300–$600+
Health Insurance Contribution	Varies
Miscellaneous	$200–$500+
Estimated Total	Location dependent

States such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee do not impose a broad individual state income tax, but living costs, local taxes, insurance, and other expenses still need to be considered.

 

9. SENDING MONEY HOME FROM THE USA

International nurses supporting relatives overseas may regularly transfer part of their income to another country.

Before choosing a money-transfer provider, compare:

• Exchange rates.
• Transfer fees.
• Delivery times.
• Receiving-country fees.
• Transfer limits.
• Available payment methods.

Popular international transfer services include:

• Wise
• Remitly
• Western Union
• MoneyGram
• Ria
• Xoom
• WorldRemit

Rates and fees change frequently, so compare the total amount the recipient receives, rather than focusing only on the advertised transfer fee.

 

10. HOW TO APPLY FOR AN EB-3 VISA AS A NURSE

A successful application requires careful preparation.

STEP 1: REVIEW YOUR CREDENTIALS

Confirm that your nursing education and professional credentials meet the requirements for the intended US nursing position.

STEP 2: COMPLETE THE NCLEX-RN

If required, register for and pass the NCLEX-RN examination.

STEP 3: COMPLETE REQUIRED CREDENTIALING

Work through the applicable CGFNS and VisaScreen requirements.

STEP 4: MEET ENGLISH-LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Complete any required English-language examination or credentialing requirement.

STEP 5: OBTAIN US NURSING LICENSURE

Work toward eligibility for licensure with the relevant state Board of Nursing.

STEP 6: SEARCH FOR AN EMPLOYER

Apply directly to hospitals, healthcare systems, and legitimate international nurse recruitment agencies.

STEP 7: REVIEW THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Before accepting an offer, carefully review:

• Salary.
• Work location.
• Shift.
• Benefits.
• Contract length.
• Relocation assistance.
• Immigration support.
• Any repayment or termination clauses.

STEP 8: BEGIN THE EB-3 PROCESS

Once the employment relationship and sponsorship arrangements are established, the employer can proceed with the applicable immigration petition.

STEP 9: COMPLETE CONSULAR PROCESSING

Applicants outside the US generally proceed through the National Visa Center and US consular process after the relevant petition and visa availability requirements are satisfied.

STEP 10: PREPARE FOR RELOCATION

After approval, arrange travel, accommodation, transportation, professional onboarding, and other relocation requirements.

11. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW LONG DOES THE EB-3 PROCESS TAKE FOR A NURSE?

There is no single guaranteed timeline.

The overall process can depend on employer preparation, USCIS processing, professional credentialing, the applicant’s country of chargeability, and Visa Bulletin availability.

Some applicants may experience substantially longer processing times than others.

CAN NURSES FROM NIGERIA, GHANA, INDIA, OR THE PHILIPPINES APPLY?

Internationally educated nurses can potentially pursue the EB-3 pathway regardless of their country of residence, provided they meet the applicable professional, immigration, licensing, and admissibility requirements.

Applicants should not assume that approval is automatic based solely on nationality or nursing experience.

DOES AN EB-3 VISA GIVE MY FAMILY A GREEN CARD?

Eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 may generally be included as derivative applicants, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.

Their status and eligibility should be confirmed during the immigration process.

DO I NEED A BSN TO QUALIFY FOR EB-3?

Not necessarily.

The appropriate educational requirement depends on the specific nursing position, employer, licensing authority, and immigration requirements.

A BSN may be preferred or required for some positions, while other positions may accept an associate-level nursing qualification if the applicant otherwise meets the applicable requirements.

CAN I WORK IN ANY STATE AFTER GETTING MY EB-3 VISA?

Professional nursing practice is regulated at the state level.

Even after obtaining permanent residence, a nurse must satisfy the licensing requirements of the state where they intend to practise.

DOES SCHEDULE A GUARANTEE A FASTER GREEN CARD?

No.

Schedule A can remove the need for the standard PERM labor-certification process for qualifying occupations, but it does not eliminate other immigration requirements or guarantee a specific processing time.

 

12. HOW TO AVOID NURSING IMMIGRATION SCAMS

International healthcare professionals should carefully verify every job offer and recruitment company.

Be cautious if a recruiter:

• Guarantees a US green card.
• Promises immigration approval.
• Requests unusually large upfront payments.
• Refuses to provide a written employment contract.
• Uses an unofficial email address.
• Asks you to falsify information.
• Promises a nursing license without examination or credentialing.
• Pressures you to make immediate payments.
• Cannot clearly explain the employer and immigration process.

Never submit false information to US immigration authorities or professional licensing bodies.

When professional legal advice is necessary, use a qualified US immigration attorney or other appropriately authorized professional.

 

13. START YOUR US NURSING CAREER IN 2026

For qualified international nurses, the EB-3 pathway can provide an important opportunity to pursue permanent residence through employment in the United States.

The process requires patience and careful preparation. Successful applicants typically need to coordinate professional credentialing, nursing licensure, employment sponsorship, immigration paperwork, medical requirements, and visa processing.

A practical strategy is to:

• Verify your nursing qualifications.
• Prepare for the NCLEX-RN.
• Complete the appropriate credentialing process.
• Research legitimate US employers.
• Confirm the exact sponsorship arrangement.
• Review your employment contract carefully.
• Monitor the Visa Bulletin.
• Keep your immigration documents accurate and up to date.
• Avoid recruiters promising guaranteed immigration outcomes.

The US offers nursing opportunities across a wide range of specialties and locations. With the right qualifications, a legitimate employer, and an appropriate immigration strategy, an internationally trained nurse may be able to build a long-term career in the American healthcare system.