H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs

Occupational therapist roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS criteria, requiring at least a master's degree in occupational therapy. Hospitals, rehabilitation networks, and pediatric clinics sponsor H-1B visa petitions for OTs, with cap-subject filings subject to the annual 85,000-slot lottery each April.

Find H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs2,628+
Work Type99% On-site
Top LocationPhiladelphia, PA

Showing 5 of 2,628+ Occupational Therapist jobs

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Occupational Therapist
We won't show you this job again
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
New 49m ago
Occupational Therapist
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

North Country Healthcare
Occupational Therapist
We won't show you this job again
North Country Healthcare
New 50m ago
Occupational Therapist
North Country Healthcare
Littleton, New Hampshire
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Beacon Health System
Occupational Therapist
We won't show you this job again
Beacon Health System
New 1h ago
Occupational Therapist
Beacon Health System
Three Rivers, Michigan
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Atrium Health
Occupational Therapist
We won't show you this job again
Atrium Health
New 2h ago
Occupational Therapist
Atrium Health
High Point, North Carolina
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$38 - $57/hr
On-Site
None
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

CHRISTUS Health
Occupational Therapist
We won't show you this job again
CHRISTUS Health
New 2h ago
Occupational Therapist
CHRISTUS Health
San Antonio, Texas
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See all 2,628+ Occupational Therapist Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Occupational Therapist roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 2,628+ H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Occupational Therapist

Verify your OT credentials meet H-1B requirements

USCIS requires a U.S.-equivalent master's degree in occupational therapy for H-1B approval. If you trained abroad, get a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved service before applying to any employer.

Target hospital systems with cap-exempt status

Nonprofits affiliated with universities and qualifying research institutions are cap-exempt, meaning they can file your H-1B petition any time of year. Pediatric hospitals and academic medical centers are the most common OT employers with this status.

Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate

Filter by occupational therapist roles on Migrate Mate to find employers whose DOL Labor Condition Application filings confirm active H-1B sponsorship for your occupation code, skipping employers who say they sponsor but lack a track record.

Confirm the prevailing wage tier before signing

Your offer salary must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your OT specialty and work location. Run your job title and zip code through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to flag any shortfall that could block LCA certification.

Ask about premium processing during the offer stage

Standard H-1B adjudication can take several months. Confirm in writing whether your employer will use premium processing, which brings a USCIS decision within 15 business days. Many OT employers approve it for roles with a hard start date.

Align your state OT license timeline with the filing window

Most states require a full OT license before you can practice independently. If your license is pending, ask your employer to note supervisory arrangements in the I-129 petition so USCIS doesn't flag an unlicensed specialty occupation claim.

H-1B Visa Occupational Therapist: Frequently Asked Questions

Does an occupational therapist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Yes. USCIS classifies occupational therapy as a specialty occupation because it requires at least a master's degree in occupational therapy as a standard entry-level requirement for the profession. The O*NET occupation profile and Bureau of Labor Statistics both confirm the master's-level education requirement, which satisfies the theoretical and practical application test USCIS uses.

Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for occupational therapists?

Hospital systems, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and pediatric clinics are the most active H-1B sponsors for OT roles. Nonprofits affiliated with universities or research institutions are particularly valuable because they are cap-exempt, allowing them to file petitions year-round rather than competing in the April lottery. You can find verified sponsors on Migrate Mate by filtering for occupational therapist roles.

Can I work as an occupational therapist on H-1B before my state license is fully issued?

It depends on the state and the job structure. Some states allow graduates to practice under supervision with a temporary license while awaiting full licensure. If your employer structures the H-1B petition around a supervisory arrangement, USCIS may approve it, but the petition must clearly document the supervision requirements. Confirm your specific state's temporary licensure rules with your employer before filing.

What happens to my H-1B status if I switch from one OT employer to another?

H-1B portability under AC21 lets you transfer to a new employer once your petition has been pending for at least 180 days, as long as the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your current status expires. You can start working for the new employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed and accepted.

How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect OT job offers?

Before filing your H-1B petition, your employer must certify a Labor Condition Application with DOL confirming your offered salary meets the prevailing wage for your OT job title and work location. Wages are tiered by experience level. If your offer falls below the certified prevailing wage, DOL will reject the LCA and the H-1B petition cannot proceed. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify your wage tier before finalizing any offer.