Medical Writer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Medical writers in the U.S. typically qualify for H-1B visa or O-1 visa sponsorship, as the role meets the specialty occupation standard through its requirement for a bachelor's degree or higher in a life science, pharmacy, or related field. Employers in pharma, biotech, and CROs sponsor regularly. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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DAY
Work Schedule:
Why Merit?
At Merit Medical, our mission is to create innovative medical devices that improve lives. Our goal is to hire and develop people who want to build something special through hard work, team effort, and commitment. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of patients around the world.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS PERFORMED
-
Independently researches, prepares, writes, edits and reviews clinical evidence documents, e.g. CERs and SSCPs.
-
Conducts proofreading, editing, document formatting, review comment integration and document completion/approval activities.
-
Supports regulatory approval process through clinical evidence document formulation and responding to regulatory agency questions.
-
Manages and maintains the procedures, systems and processes required to meet regulatory requirements for clinical evidence documents and ensures they stay up-to-date based on guidance, regulation and feedback from regulators.
-
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure high quality and successful project delivery.
-
Develops and maintains in-depth therapeutic and product operation knowledge; applies this knowledge to the development of well written clinical evidence documents.
-
Provides input to post-market surveillance and risk management activities.
-
Creates and manages schedule of deliverables.
-
Conducts training for medical writers, regulatory affairs and other functions, as needed.
-
May supervise or mentor other medical writers, as assigned.
-
Performs other duties and tasks, as required.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
- Lifting - Not to exceed 50 lbs. – local practice may apply.
- Writing
- Sitting
- Standing
- Bending
- Visual acuity
- Color perception
- Depth perception
- Reading
- Field of vision/peripheral
SUMMARY OF MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in the medical, biological, physical or engineering disciplines and five years of medical writing experience, preferably with CERs.
- Extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements relative to Clinical Evaluation Reports.
- Proficient in searching medical literature and databases for clinical and technical information.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret regulations, technical standards, guidance documents, test reports, clinical and medical terminology, technical product information and complex documents.
- Knowledge of U.S. FDA regulations, the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC, as amended), EU Medical Device Regulation (2017/745) and ISO 13485 Quality System Standards.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills in the area of technical/clinical applications.
- Supervisory experience.
- Strong command of medical and surgical terminology.
- Working knowledge of statistics.
- Self-motivated, self-directing, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills.
- Project management skills.
- Demonstrated computer skills preferably spreadsheets, word processing, internet research and other applicable software programs.
COMPETENCIES
- Medical/technical writing skills
- CER protocol and report development/writing
- Medical literature research skills
- Computer skills
- Interpersonal/verbal/written communication skills
- Project management skills
- Statistical knowledge/application
COMMENTS
Infectious Control Risk Category III:
The risk category explains whether or not employees are likely to come into contact with blood or body fluids while performing their jobs. Risk category III states employment and procedures that do not require exposure.
As an eligible Merit employee, you can expect the following:
- Multiple Shifts and Hours to choose from: Days, Swing (Eve), and Nights
- Medical/Dental & Other Insurances (eligible the first of month after 30 days)
- Low Cost Onsite Medical Clinic
- Two (2) Onsite Cafeterias
- Employee Garden | Gardening Classes
- 3 Weeks' Vacation | 1 Week Sick-Time | Paid Holidays
- 401K | Health Savings Account
Military Veterans are encouraged to Apply.
Merit is a proud Utah Patriot Partner committed to hiring our Veterans.
Work Shift:
DAY
Work Schedule:
Why Merit?
At Merit Medical, our mission is to create innovative medical devices that improve lives. Our goal is to hire and develop people who want to build something special through hard work, team effort, and commitment. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of patients around the world.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS PERFORMED
-
Independently researches, prepares, writes, edits and reviews clinical evidence documents, e.g. CERs and SSCPs.
-
Conducts proofreading, editing, document formatting, review comment integration and document completion/approval activities.
-
Supports regulatory approval process through clinical evidence document formulation and responding to regulatory agency questions.
-
Manages and maintains the procedures, systems and processes required to meet regulatory requirements for clinical evidence documents and ensures they stay up-to-date based on guidance, regulation and feedback from regulators.
-
Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure high quality and successful project delivery.
-
Develops and maintains in-depth therapeutic and product operation knowledge; applies this knowledge to the development of well written clinical evidence documents.
-
Provides input to post-market surveillance and risk management activities.
-
Creates and manages schedule of deliverables.
-
Conducts training for medical writers, regulatory affairs and other functions, as needed.
-
May supervise or mentor other medical writers, as assigned.
-
Performs other duties and tasks, as required.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
- Lifting - Not to exceed 50 lbs. – local practice may apply.
- Writing
- Sitting
- Standing
- Bending
- Visual acuity
- Color perception
- Depth perception
- Reading
- Field of vision/peripheral
SUMMARY OF MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in the medical, biological, physical or engineering disciplines and five years of medical writing experience, preferably with CERs.
- Extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements relative to Clinical Evaluation Reports.
- Proficient in searching medical literature and databases for clinical and technical information.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret regulations, technical standards, guidance documents, test reports, clinical and medical terminology, technical product information and complex documents.
- Knowledge of U.S. FDA regulations, the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC, as amended), EU Medical Device Regulation (2017/745) and ISO 13485 Quality System Standards.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills in the area of technical/clinical applications.
- Supervisory experience.
- Strong command of medical and surgical terminology.
- Working knowledge of statistics.
- Self-motivated, self-directing, strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills.
- Project management skills.
- Demonstrated computer skills preferably spreadsheets, word processing, internet research and other applicable software programs.
COMPETENCIES
- Medical/technical writing skills
- CER protocol and report development/writing
- Medical literature research skills
- Computer skills
- Interpersonal/verbal/written communication skills
- Project management skills
- Statistical knowledge/application
COMMENTS
Infectious Control Risk Category III:
The risk category explains whether or not employees are likely to come into contact with blood or body fluids while performing their jobs. Risk category III states employment and procedures that do not require exposure.
As an eligible Merit employee, you can expect the following:
- Multiple Shifts and Hours to choose from: Days, Swing (Eve), and Nights
- Medical/Dental & Other Insurances (eligible the first of month after 30 days)
- Low Cost Onsite Medical Clinic
- Two (2) Onsite Cafeterias
- Employee Garden | Gardening Classes
- 3 Weeks' Vacation | 1 Week Sick-Time | Paid Holidays
- 401K | Health Savings Account
Military Veterans are encouraged to Apply.
Merit is a proud Utah Patriot Partner committed to hiring our Veterans.
See all 49+ Medical Writer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Medical Writer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Medical Writer
Target pharma, biotech, and CRO employers
Contract research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology firms are the most consistent sponsors for medical writers. These employers file H-1B petitions regularly and have established immigration infrastructure, making the sponsorship process faster and more predictable for candidates.
Confirm your degree field satisfies specialty occupation
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the medical writing role. Degrees in life sciences, pharmacy, nursing, or biomedical science are strong fits. A general science or unrelated degree may require additional documentation to establish the specialty occupation connection.
Highlight regulatory writing experience in your application
Employers sponsoring medical writers are often motivated by specialized skills in regulatory submissions, clinical study reports, or FDA documentation. Candidates with this background are harder to replace locally, which strengthens the business justification employers need to pursue sponsorship.
Ask about sponsorship policy before the offer stage
Some employers support H-1B sponsorship but restrict it to direct hires rather than contractors. Clarifying this early prevents wasted time on roles that look promising but won't result in visa support. Filter for roles explicitly listing sponsorship on Migrate Mate to avoid this problem.
Understand the H-1B lottery timeline before you apply
H-1B registration opens each March for an October start date. If you need status by a specific date due to OPT expiration or a grace period, work backwards from that deadline and communicate your timeline to potential employers during the interview process.
Consider O-1A if your publication record is strong
Medical writers with peer-reviewed publications, editorial board roles, or recognized contributions to clinical guidelines may qualify for the O-1A visa. It has no annual cap or lottery, making it a viable alternative when H-1B timing or selection odds are a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do medical writer jobs in the U.S. qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, medical writing qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as life sciences, pharmacy, or a related discipline. USCIS has approved H-1B visa petitions for medical writers at pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and medical communications agencies. The strength of your petition depends on how clearly the job description establishes that a specific degree is a minimum requirement, not merely preferred.
What degree do I need to get a medical writing job sponsored in the U.S.?
Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in a life science field, pharmacy, nursing, biomedical science, or a closely related discipline. Advanced degrees, such as a master's or Ph.D. in pharmacology or a clinical field, are common in regulatory medical writing roles and strengthen both your candidacy and the H-1B petition. A general science or humanities degree may still qualify if you can demonstrate field-specific coursework or equivalent experience, but expect more scrutiny from USCIS.
Which types of employers sponsor medical writers for U.S. visas?
Pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca, large contract research organizations, and medical communications agencies are the most active sponsors. Biotech startups also sponsor but vary widely in their immigration experience and resources. Browsing open roles on Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for positions that offer visa sponsorship, so you can focus your applications on employers already open to the process.
Can a medical writer on OPT get sponsored before it expires?
Yes, but timing is critical. H-1B registration opens in March each year, with an October 1 start date if selected. If your OPT expires before October 1, you'll need a STEM OPT extension to bridge the gap, which requires a STEM-eligible degree. Start conversations with employers about sponsorship at least four to six months before your OPT ends to allow enough runway for the process.
Is it possible to get sponsored as a freelance or contract medical writer?
It's uncommon. H-1B sponsorship requires an employer-employee relationship, which typically means a direct hire arrangement with a single employer who controls your work. Contract or freelance arrangements through staffing agencies can qualify if the agency holds the H-1B, but many agencies don't sponsor. Independent freelancing is generally not compatible with H-1B requirements. If contract work is your model, exploring the O-1 visa may be more practical depending on your credentials.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Medical Writer 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.