NP Jobs for OPT Students

NP jobs are among the most accessible OPT-eligible roles in healthcare, with employers routinely sponsoring H-1B and O-1 visas for qualified candidates. Most positions require a current state NP license and national board certification. Standard OPT duration is 12 months, with STEM OPT extension not applicable to most NP programs.

See All NP Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs4,736+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type94% On-site
Salary Range$85K – $115K
Top LocationAtlanta, GA
Most JobsSignify Health

Showing 5 of 4,736+ NP jobs

Baylor Scott & White Health
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
We won't show you this job again
Baylor Scott & White Health
New 2h ago
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Baylor Scott & White Health
Marble Falls, Texas
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
None
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Mary Washington Healthcare
Nurse Practitioner
We won't show you this job again
Mary Washington Healthcare
New 4h ago
Nurse Practitioner
Mary Washington Healthcare
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Atrium Health
General Surgery - Part-Time PA/NP
We won't show you this job again
Atrium Health
New 4h ago
General Surgery - Part-Time PA/NP
Atrium Health
Cartersville, Georgia
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$47/hr - $71/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Integrative Wellness Nurse Practitioner In Psychiatry Pllc
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NY State - New Grads W2)
We won't show you this job again
Integrative Wellness Nurse Practitioner In Psychiatry Pllc
New 4h ago
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NY State - New Grads W2)
Integrative Wellness Nurse Practitioner In Psychiatry Pllc
New York, New York
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Convenientmd
New Grad - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Urgent Care
We won't show you this job again
Convenientmd
New 5h ago
New Grad - Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Urgent Care
Convenientmd
Pembroke, Massachusetts
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Not listed
On-Site
Other

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all 4,736+ NP jobs

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

Get Access To All Jobs

How to Get Visa Sponsorship in NP

Target health systems with established visa programs

Large hospital networks and federally qualified health centers file H-1B petitions far more regularly than independent practices. Search their careers pages directly to confirm sponsorship history before investing time in an application.

Get your NP license sorted before you apply

Most employers won't extend an offer until you hold an active state license. Start the licensing process early since endorsement timelines vary widely by state and can easily consume two to three months of your OPT period.

Know your OPT end date before negotiating a start date

Employers need enough runway to file an H-1B petition or initiate another sponsorship pathway. Starting two to three months before your OPT expires leaves too little margin and raises concerns for hiring teams.

Prioritize cap-exempt employers for H-1B sponsorship

Nonprofits, academic medical centers, and government entities are exempt from the H-1B annual cap and can file year-round. These employers offer a more reliable sponsorship pathway than for-profit practices subject to lottery timing.

Lead with clinical value, not visa urgency

Hiring managers respond to candidates who solve staffing problems in underserved specialties or high-demand settings. Frame your NP specialty, patient population experience, and certifications first. Sponsorship becomes easier to discuss once clinical fit is established.

Clarify your OPT authorization status upfront with recruiters

Specify that you hold an EAD authorizing full-time employment and explain clearly what sponsorship will require later. Recruiters unfamiliar with OPT often conflate it with CPT or assume restrictions that do not apply to your situation.

NP jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

Find NP Jobs

See all 4,736+ NP jobs

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

Get Access To All Jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an NP on OPT without employer sponsorship?

Yes. Your OPT Employment Authorization Document authorizes you to work as an NP for any qualifying employer without immediate sponsorship. Sponsorship only becomes necessary when your OPT period expires and you need a longer-term status such as H-1B. Most NP employers are familiar with this distinction, though some smaller practices may need it explained.

Does my NP role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?

Most NP programs do not qualify for the STEM OPT extension because nursing and advanced practice nursing programs are typically classified under CIP codes outside the STEM-designated list. If your NP degree was granted in a STEM-eligible field such as health informatics or nursing informatics, confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.

Which employers are most likely to sponsor an H-1B for NP roles?

Academic medical centers, large nonprofit health systems, and federally qualified health centers sponsor H-1B petitions most consistently for NPs. These organizations are also cap-exempt, meaning they can file year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. You can browse NP roles at sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, which filters for positions open to OPT and visa sponsorship candidates.

Do I need a full-time position to maintain valid OPT status as an NP?

USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your field of study. For NPs, clinical roles in patient care or advanced practice settings clearly satisfy this requirement. There is no strict minimum hours threshold for post-completion OPT, but unemployment of 90 or more cumulative days during your OPT period triggers a status violation, so maintaining consistent employment matters.

What visa options are available after my OPT expires for NP roles?

The H-1B is the most common path for NPs after OPT, though lottery timing creates uncertainty. Cap-exempt employers offer a more reliable route because they can file at any point. Some NPs also qualify for the O-1A under extraordinary ability criteria, particularly those with published research, leadership roles, or significant clinical recognition in their specialty.

See which NP employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.

Search NP Jobs