H-1B Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs

Occupational Therapy Assistant roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when the position requires an associate degree or higher in occupational therapy assisting. Many hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and school districts sponsor H-1B visas for OTAs, particularly in underserved regions where demand consistently outpaces the domestic workforce.

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Overview

Open Jobs229+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$21K
Top LocationLafayette, LA
Most JobsIvyrehab Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology, Pllc

Showing 5 of 229+ Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs

Ascend Rehab Inc
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
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Ascend Rehab Inc
New 14h ago
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Ascend Rehab Inc
Stockton, California
Healthcare Administration
Allied Health
$35/hr - $55/hr
On-Site
None
51-200

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Ochsner Lsu Health System Of North Louisiana
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - Acute
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Ochsner Lsu Health System Of North Louisiana
New 15h ago
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant - Acute
Ochsner Lsu Health System Of North Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Not listed
On-Site
Other

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Prisma Health
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
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Prisma Health
Added 1d ago
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Prisma Health
Maryville, Tennessee
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Corewell Health
Occupational Therapy Assistant
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Corewell Health
Added 3d ago
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Corewell Health
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Fairview Health Services
Occupational Therapy Assistant
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Fairview Health Services
Added 4d ago
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Fairview Health Services
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$26/hr - $36/hr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Verify your NBCOT certification before applying

H-1B employers filing for OTA roles expect active NBCOT COTA certification before they'll initiate sponsorship. Confirm your certification is current and your state license is in good standing before targeting sponsors.

Filter employers by LCA filing history

Use Migrate Mate to search employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for OTA or occupational therapy roles. Active LCA history signals a company already understands the H-1B process and won't hesitate at the sponsor step.

Target healthcare systems over staffing agencies

Direct-hire hospital systems and school districts are more reliable H-1B sponsors than staffing agencies. Agencies often can't file as the petitioning employer for specialty occupation roles, leaving you without a viable sponsor.

Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer

Your employer's LCA must certify a wage meeting or exceeding the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location. Run your role through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the numbers align.

Request premium processing when timelines are tight

If your OPT or prior status expires within a few months of your start date, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing. This cuts adjudication to 15 business days and protects your cap-gap window if you're transitioning from F-1 status.

Confirm your role's specialty occupation classification

Some OTA postings list an associate degree as preferred rather than required, which weakens the specialty occupation argument for USCIS. Review the O*NET occupation profile for OTAs and ensure the job description explicitly requires a degree in occupational therapy assisting.

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Occupational Therapy Assistant H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Occupational Therapy Assistant role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?

Yes, OTA positions qualify when the employer requires at least an associate degree in occupational therapy assisting as a minimum entry requirement. USCIS evaluates the job description, not just the title. If the posting says a degree is preferred rather than required, the specialty occupation case weakens, so always check the exact language before applying to sponsored roles.

Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for OTAs?

Hospital systems, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, pediatric therapy practices, and school districts with persistent staffing shortages are the most active H-1B sponsors for OTA roles. These employers tend to have in-house HR teams or retained immigration counsel who are familiar with the LCA and I-129 process. Browse OTA roles with verified sponsorship history on Migrate Mate to identify active filers in your target location.

Does my employer need to file a PERM labor certification to sponsor my H-1B as an OTA?

No. PERM is required for green card sponsorship through employment, not for the H-1B. For the H-1B, your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL and then submits Form I-129 to USCIS. PERM only becomes relevant if the same employer later decides to sponsor you for permanent residence.

Can I work at multiple clinic locations on a single H-1B as an OTA?

Only if your employer filed the LCA to cover each worksite location. DOL requires a separate LCA posting for each physical location where you'll work. If your employer adds a new location after your H-1B is approved, they must file an amended I-129 with USCIS before you begin working at that site. Confirm this with your employer before accepting a role that involves multiple sites.

How does the H-1B cap lottery affect OTA job seekers?

Most OTA employers in the private sector are subject to the annual H-1B cap, which means your petition enters the lottery each April for an October 1 start. Nonprofit hospitals, government-affiliated health systems, and certain educational institutions are cap-exempt, allowing year-round filing with no lottery risk. If lottery timing is a concern, prioritizing cap-exempt employers is a practical strategy worth building your job search around.

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