H-1B Visa Optometrist Jobs
Optometrists qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Most positions are with private practices, retail optical chains, and hospital systems that file LCAs through DOL before petitioning USCIS. No lottery luck needed to find willing sponsors, the demand for ODs consistently outpaces supply.
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Get Access To All JobsMedical Neuro-Optometrist
PROVIDENCE SAINT JOHN’S & PACIFIC NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA & TORRANCE, CA | FULL-TIME
A rare opportunity to practice at the intersection of vision and neuroscience
Providence Saint John’s is seeking an experienced optometrist to join its specialized Neuro Eye Care Team at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI), working alongside one neuro-optometrist and two neuro-ophthalmologists. This medically focused role offers the opportunity to manage challenging neuro-optometric conditions and visual complications of central nervous system disorders while working closely with specialists across neurosurgery, endocrinology, neurology, otolaryngology, rehabilitation, and other disciplines.
The incoming clinician will split their clinical time between PNI’s Santa Monica and South Bay (Torrance) locations. Beyond direct patient care, this position offers a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in developing a neurovision rehabilitation program, from shaping its clinical approach to delivering specialized rehabilitative services.
Why this role is different
-
Clinical depth: Evaluate and manage patients with visual conditions related to brain and skull base tumors, stroke, ocular motility disorders and diplopia, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and other neurological conditions.
-
Multidisciplinary access: Work closely with an established team of one neuro-optometrist and two neuro-ophthalmologists, with opportunities to collaborate directly with medical, surgical, and rehabilitation specialists.
-
An opportunity to build: Help establish clinical protocols, referral pathways, and care delivery for a growing neurovision rehabilitation program.
-
Academic and professional growth: Opportunities to participate in research and community education initiatives, develop case presentations and publications, and pursue individual clinical interests with institutional support for continued professional development.
-
Predictable schedule and benefits: Full-time, Monday through Friday, with no scheduled weekend hours or on-call responsibilities; health insurance, paid time off, and other eligible employee benefits.
Clinical responsibilities
-
Conduct comprehensive, medically oriented optometric examinations, including assessments of ocular health, ocular motility, and binocular vision, often in patients with complex medical histories or challenging clinical presentations.
-
Evaluate and manage a broad range of ocular conditions and manifestations of neurological or systemic disease within licensure and clinical privileges.
-
Order, interpret, and integrate diagnostic testing, including visual field testing and optical coherence tomography, as clinically indicated.
-
Collaborate with medical, surgical, and rehabilitation colleagues on diagnostic evaluations and longitudinal patient management.
-
Assess functional visual deficits, develop individualized vision rehabilitation plans, provide appropriate interventions, and coordinate care with relevant therapy disciplines.
-
Counsel patients and families, maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, and uphold applicable standards of clinical and professional practice.
-
Help establish the neurovision rehabilitation program, including evidence-based care pathways, interdisciplinary referral processes, and clinical protocols.
Qualifications
-
Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry program and an active California optometrist license at hire.
-
Prior post-graduate clinical experience required, ideally with 2+ years in medical optometry, ocular disease, or the management of medically challenging patients. This position is not intended for a new graduate.
-
Strong independent clinical judgment, comfort with advanced diagnostic workups, and the ability to collaborate effectively across medical specialties.
-
Formal neuro-optometric training, residency, fellowship, or experience in vision rehabilitation is a plus, but not required for an otherwise strong clinician motivated to develop expertise in this area.
How to Apply
- Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume or direct inquiries regarding the position to Christine Grothe at christine.grothe@providence.org
About Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) is a nationally recognized center for specialized brain, spine, and neurological care, affiliated with Providence in Southern California. Founded in 2015, PNI brings together experts across neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-oncology, endocrinology, otolaryngology, and other specialties to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care.
Through its multidisciplinary clinical programs, PNI combines advanced diagnostics, innovative medical and surgical treatments, and rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The institute is also dedicated to advancing neuroscience through clinical research, education, and the development of new approaches to patient care.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $74.17 - $117.10 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
- optometrist: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- California Optometrist License (Required)
Work Location: In person
Medical Neuro-Optometrist
PROVIDENCE SAINT JOHN’S & PACIFIC NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE | SANTA MONICA & TORRANCE, CA | FULL-TIME
A rare opportunity to practice at the intersection of vision and neuroscience
Providence Saint John’s is seeking an experienced optometrist to join its specialized Neuro Eye Care Team at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI), working alongside one neuro-optometrist and two neuro-ophthalmologists. This medically focused role offers the opportunity to manage challenging neuro-optometric conditions and visual complications of central nervous system disorders while working closely with specialists across neurosurgery, endocrinology, neurology, otolaryngology, rehabilitation, and other disciplines.
The incoming clinician will split their clinical time between PNI’s Santa Monica and South Bay (Torrance) locations. Beyond direct patient care, this position offers a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in developing a neurovision rehabilitation program, from shaping its clinical approach to delivering specialized rehabilitative services.
Why this role is different
-
Clinical depth: Evaluate and manage patients with visual conditions related to brain and skull base tumors, stroke, ocular motility disorders and diplopia, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and other neurological conditions.
-
Multidisciplinary access: Work closely with an established team of one neuro-optometrist and two neuro-ophthalmologists, with opportunities to collaborate directly with medical, surgical, and rehabilitation specialists.
-
An opportunity to build: Help establish clinical protocols, referral pathways, and care delivery for a growing neurovision rehabilitation program.
-
Academic and professional growth: Opportunities to participate in research and community education initiatives, develop case presentations and publications, and pursue individual clinical interests with institutional support for continued professional development.
-
Predictable schedule and benefits: Full-time, Monday through Friday, with no scheduled weekend hours or on-call responsibilities; health insurance, paid time off, and other eligible employee benefits.
Clinical responsibilities
-
Conduct comprehensive, medically oriented optometric examinations, including assessments of ocular health, ocular motility, and binocular vision, often in patients with complex medical histories or challenging clinical presentations.
-
Evaluate and manage a broad range of ocular conditions and manifestations of neurological or systemic disease within licensure and clinical privileges.
-
Order, interpret, and integrate diagnostic testing, including visual field testing and optical coherence tomography, as clinically indicated.
-
Collaborate with medical, surgical, and rehabilitation colleagues on diagnostic evaluations and longitudinal patient management.
-
Assess functional visual deficits, develop individualized vision rehabilitation plans, provide appropriate interventions, and coordinate care with relevant therapy disciplines.
-
Counsel patients and families, maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, and uphold applicable standards of clinical and professional practice.
-
Help establish the neurovision rehabilitation program, including evidence-based care pathways, interdisciplinary referral processes, and clinical protocols.
Qualifications
-
Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited optometry program and an active California optometrist license at hire.
-
Prior post-graduate clinical experience required, ideally with 2+ years in medical optometry, ocular disease, or the management of medically challenging patients. This position is not intended for a new graduate.
-
Strong independent clinical judgment, comfort with advanced diagnostic workups, and the ability to collaborate effectively across medical specialties.
-
Formal neuro-optometric training, residency, fellowship, or experience in vision rehabilitation is a plus, but not required for an otherwise strong clinician motivated to develop expertise in this area.
How to Apply
- Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume or direct inquiries regarding the position to Christine Grothe at christine.grothe@providence.org
About Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) is a nationally recognized center for specialized brain, spine, and neurological care, affiliated with Providence in Southern California. Founded in 2015, PNI brings together experts across neurology, neurosurgery, neuro-ophthalmology, neuro-oncology, endocrinology, otolaryngology, and other specialties to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care.
Through its multidisciplinary clinical programs, PNI combines advanced diagnostics, innovative medical and surgical treatments, and rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The institute is also dedicated to advancing neuroscience through clinical research, education, and the development of new approaches to patient care.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $74.17 - $117.10 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
- optometrist: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- California Optometrist License (Required)
Work Location: In person
See all 686+ H-1B Visa Optometrist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Optometrist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Optometrist
Verify your OD degree meets USCIS requirements
USCIS requires a U.S.-equivalent Doctor of Optometry for specialty occupation classification. If you trained abroad, get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member agency before applications. Foreign OD programs vary in length and scope, and a weak evaluation can trigger an RFE.
Check state licensure before targeting employers
You must hold an active license in the state where you'll practice before USCIS approves your H-1B. Employers won't file a petition for an unlicensed candidate. Confirm your NBEO scores and any jurisprudence exam requirements for your target state early.
Search LCA filings to find active sponsors
Use Migrate Mate to filter optometry employers by DOL Labor Condition Application history. This shows which practices and optical groups have actually filed for H-1B workers, cutting through job postings that never mention sponsorship availability.
Target multi-location optical groups over solo practices
Large optical groups and DSOs with HR infrastructure are far more likely to have existing H-1B processes than independent OD practices. Solo practitioners rarely have immigration counsel on retainer, which creates delays and filing errors that can cost you status.
Clarify who pays government filing fees upfront
USCIS prohibits H-1B workers from paying the I-129 petition fee and certain employer-specific fees. Confirm in writing during the offer stage which fees your employer covers. Misunderstandings here stall filings after an offer is signed.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to negotiate your prevailing wage
DOL sets four prevailing wage levels for optometrists by metro area. Before accepting an offer, run the OFLC Wage Search for your city and SOC code 29-1041 to confirm your offered wage meets at least Level I. Underpaid LCAs get flagged and delay certification.
H-1B Visa Optometrist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an optometrist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. USCIS classifies optometrists as a specialty occupation because the position normally requires a Doctor of Optometry degree as a minimum entry requirement. The OD is a professional doctoral degree tied directly to a specific body of knowledge, satisfying the specialty occupation standard. Employers document this in the I-129 petition and LCA.
Can I work at multiple practice locations on a single H-1B?
Only if all locations are covered by the same employer and the LCA lists each worksite. If an optical group assigns you to rotate between offices in different metro areas, each location requires its own certified LCA filed with DOL. Working at an uncovered site is a compliance violation that can affect your status and your employer's ability to sponsor future workers.
How do I find optometry employers who sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters optometry job listings by verified DOL LCA filing history, so you only see employers who have actually sponsored H-1B workers. This is more reliable than filtering job postings by sponsorship claims, which are often inaccurate or outdated. Focus on optical chains, health systems, and multi-location DSOs with consistent filing records.
What happens to my H-1B if I want to switch from a group practice to a hospital system?
Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition with USCIS before or at the time you start working for them. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin the new job as soon as the transfer petition is filed and received by USCIS, without waiting for approval, as long as you've been in valid H-1B status. Don't resign before the transfer petition is filed.
Does my state optometry license affect my H-1B petition timeline?
Yes, directly. USCIS expects the petitioner to show you're qualified to perform the role at the time of filing. Employers can file while a license application is pending if your OD degree satisfies the specialty occupation requirement, but a license in hand strengthens the petition significantly. Some employers won't initiate the H-1B process at all until licensure is confirmed.