Licensed Master Social Worker Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Licensed Master Social Worker roles qualify as a specialty occupation under the H-1B visa, requiring a master's degree in social work and employer sponsorship. Healthcare systems, nonprofits, and government agencies actively sponsor LMSWs. State licensure requirements add a credentialing step most visa candidates need to plan for before the offer stage.

Find Licensed Master Social Worker Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs18+
Top Visa TypeTN
Work Type67% On-site
Top LocationWichita, KS
Most JobsNew York State Office of Mental Health

Showing 5 of 18+ Licensed Master Social Worker jobs

Licensed Master Social Worker
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Added 1d ago
Licensed Master Social Worker
Optum
Hernando, Mississippi
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$30 - $45/hr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Licensed Master Social Worker
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Added 1w ago
Licensed Master Social Worker
Medical University of South Carolina
South Carolina
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Hybrid
Master's
10,000+

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Licensed Master Social Worker
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Added 1w ago
Licensed Master Social Worker
New York State Office of Mental Health
Brooklyn, New York
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$78k - $98k/yr
On-Site
None

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Bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker
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Added 1w ago
Bilingual Licensed Master Social Worker
The Child Center of NY
Queens, New York
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Hybrid
Master's
1,001-5,000

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Licensed Master Social Worker
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Added 1w ago
Licensed Master Social Worker
DaVita
El Paso, Texas
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding Licensed Master Social Worker Jobs

Secure your state licensure before applying

Most LMSW job postings require active state licensure, not just your MSW degree. Start the licensure application in your target state early, some states take three to six months to process, and employers won't sponsor without it.

Target healthcare systems over small nonprofits

Large hospital networks and integrated health systems have dedicated HR teams experienced in H-1B filing. Smaller nonprofits rarely have the infrastructure to manage USCIS petitions, making sponsorship far less likely regardless of your qualifications.

Verify your MSW meets specialty occupation criteria

USCIS requires that the role normally demand a specific bachelor's or higher degree. For LMSW positions, confirm your job description explicitly requires an MSW, not just any related degree, so the specialty occupation standard holds under scrutiny.

Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer

Your employer must pay the prevailing wage for your role and location, certified through a Labor Condition Application. Run your position through OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so you know what DOL will require and can flag any underpayment early.

Search Migrate Mate for LMSW roles with sponsor history

Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for social work roles. Filtering by specialty and location shows you which organizations have already navigated the H-1B process for LMSWs, cutting your research time significantly.

Ask about PERM green card sponsorship during the offer

If you're on H-1B, your employer can begin PERM labor certification concurrently. Raising this during the offer stage, not years later, signals long-term commitment and gives you time to build the documented job duties PERM requires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Licensed Master Social Worker role qualify as a specialty occupation for the H-1B?

Yes, LMSW positions qualify as a specialty occupation when the job description requires a master's degree in social work specifically. USCIS scrutinizes social work roles more closely than engineering or IT roles, so your offer letter and job duties must explicitly state the MSW requirement. Positions listed as requiring 'a related degree' or offering equivalent experience as a substitute are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.

Which visa types are realistic for a licensed social worker seeking U.S. sponsorship?

The H-1B is the most common path, covering specialty occupations including clinical social work. If you're pursuing long-term residence, your employer can file for an EB-2 or EB-3 green card through PERM labor certification, which requires demonstrating no available U.S. workers. TN visas do not cover social workers under the USMCA profession list, so Canadian and Mexican nationals still need H-1B sponsorship for LMSW roles.

How does state licensure affect my visa sponsorship timeline?

State licensure is a prerequisite most employers require before they'll initiate sponsorship paperwork. Processing times vary by state, with some boards taking four to six months. You'll need to pass the ASWB exam and meet supervised hours requirements, which can be difficult to complete outside the U.S. Plan your licensure application in your target state before accepting an offer, not after.

Where can I find employers who sponsor social workers on work visas?

Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified sponsorship history for social work roles, searchable by city and specialty. Hospitals, VA health systems, federally qualified health centers, and large behavioral health organizations are the most consistent sponsors. County and state government agencies occasionally sponsor but have slower hiring cycles and more complex approval chains.

Can supervised clinical hours completed outside the U.S. count toward LMSW licensure?

It depends on the state board. Some states accept internationally supervised hours if the supervision was conducted by a licensed clinical social worker or equivalent credentialed professional. Others require all post-MSW supervised hours to occur within the state or under a U.S.-licensed supervisor. Check with the specific state board where you plan to apply for licensure before assuming your hours will transfer.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Licensed Master Social Worker jobs?

U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.

Licensed Master Social Worker Jobs by State