H-1B Visa COTA Jobs
COTA roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when the position requires a state license and an associate or bachelor's degree in occupational therapy. Most hospital systems, rehabilitation networks, and skilled nursing facilities with active H-1B filing history sponsor COTAs annually, making this one of the more accessible therapy paths for international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are dedicated to providing exceptional care to every patient, every time.
St. Luke’s Hospital is a value-driven award-winning health system that has been nationally recognized for its unmatched service and quality of patient care. Using talents and resources responsibly, we provide high quality, safe care with compassion, professional excellence, and respect for each other and those we serve. Committed to values of human dignity, compassion, justice, excellence, and stewardship St. Luke’s Hospital for over a decade has been recognized for “Outstanding Patient Experience” by HealthGrades.
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Rehab Manager, Lead Occupational Therapist and Staff Occupational Therapists. Prepares patients and equipment for occupational therapy; following initial evaluation by registered occupational therapist, administers therapy and performs documentation. Responsible for promoting teamwork with all members of the healthcare team. Performs duties in a manner consistent with St. Luke’s mission and values.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Associate degree, Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
License: Current licensure or eligible for licensure by Missouri State Board of Healing Arts
BENEFITS FOR A BETTER YOU:
- Day one benefits package
- Pension Plan & 401K
- Competitive compensation
- FSA & HSA options
- PTO programs available
- Education Assistance
WHY YOU BELONG HERE:
You matter. We could not achieve our mission daily without the hands of our team. Our culture and compassion for our patients and team is a distinct reflection of our dynamic workforce. Each team member is focused on being part of something much bigger than themselves. Join our St. Luke’s family to be a part of making life better for our patients, their families, and one another.
INTRODUCTION
We are dedicated to providing exceptional care to every patient, every time.
St. Luke’s Hospital is a value-driven award-winning health system that has been nationally recognized for its unmatched service and quality of patient care. Using talents and resources responsibly, we provide high quality, safe care with compassion, professional excellence, and respect for each other and those we serve. Committed to values of human dignity, compassion, justice, excellence, and stewardship St. Luke’s Hospital for over a decade has been recognized for “Outstanding Patient Experience” by HealthGrades.
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Rehab Manager, Lead Occupational Therapist and Staff Occupational Therapists. Prepares patients and equipment for occupational therapy; following initial evaluation by registered occupational therapist, administers therapy and performs documentation. Responsible for promoting teamwork with all members of the healthcare team. Performs duties in a manner consistent with St. Luke’s mission and values.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Associate degree, Graduate of an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
License: Current licensure or eligible for licensure by Missouri State Board of Healing Arts
BENEFITS FOR A BETTER YOU:
- Day one benefits package
- Pension Plan & 401K
- Competitive compensation
- FSA & HSA options
- PTO programs available
- Education Assistance
WHY YOU BELONG HERE:
You matter. We could not achieve our mission daily without the hands of our team. Our culture and compassion for our patients and team is a distinct reflection of our dynamic workforce. Each team member is focused on being part of something much bigger than themselves. Join our St. Luke’s family to be a part of making life better for our patients, their families, and one another.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in COTA
Verify your credential equivalency early
Foreign OT credentials must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency before USCIS will approve your petition. Use a NACES-approved credential evaluation service and confirm your degree maps to a U.S. occupational therapy assistant program before applying to any role.
Check state licensure before targeting employers
COTAs must hold a valid state license before starting work, and H-1B approval doesn't substitute for it. Research each state's OTA licensure board requirements early since some states have longer processing windows that can delay your start date.
Use OFLC Wage Search to set salary expectations
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Run an OFLC Wage Search for occupational therapy assistants in your target metro before negotiating, so you know what the LCA must certify.
Target employers with rehab contract staffing arms
Large rehabilitation contract companies that staff COTAs across multiple SNFs and outpatient clinics file H-1B petitions more regularly than single-facility employers. Searching by industry segment on Migrate Mate shows which employers have active LCA filing history for this role.
Confirm NBCOT certification before the I-129 is filed
USCIS expects your NBCOT certification to be in hand or imminent at petition time. If your exam date falls after the proposed start date, your employer's attorney should address this directly in the support letter to avoid an RFE.
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Find COTA JobsCOTA H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a COTA role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, COTA roles qualify when the position requires at minimum an associate degree in occupational therapy and a state license. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation status on a case-by-case basis, so your employer's support letter should clearly document that a specific OT degree is a standard minimum requirement for the role, not just preferred.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for COTAs?
Rehabilitation contract companies, large hospital systems, and multi-site skilled nursing facility operators tend to sponsor COTAs most consistently because they have in-house immigration counsel and recurring staffing needs. You can filter employers by H-1B LCA filing history on Migrate Mate to identify which organizations have sponsored COTA or OTA roles specifically, rather than guessing from general employer reputation.
Does H-1B sponsorship for COTAs typically require PERM labor certification?
No. H-1B sponsorship for temporary employment does not require PERM labor certification. PERM is required only if your employer is also sponsoring you for a green card through the EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based immigrant visa category. For initial H-1B status, only the DOL Labor Condition Application and USCIS I-129 petition are required.
Can a COTA employer file H-1B petitions for multiple work sites?
Yes, but the employer must file a separate LCA for each work location where you'll provide services for more than 40 hours in a workweek. This is common for COTAs who rotate across SNFs or outpatient clinics under a single contract employer. Each LCA must certify the prevailing wage for that specific work location's metro area.
What happens to my H-1B status if my COTA employer loses a facility contract?
Your H-1B status is tied to the petitioning employer, not the specific facility. If your employer reassigns you to a new site, they may need to amend your petition if the new location has a materially different wage level. If the employer terminates your position entirely, you have a 60-day grace period to find a new sponsor, change status, or depart the U.S.
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