Nursing Assistant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship for nursing assistants (CNAs) in the U.S. is extremely limited. The role doesn't typically qualify for H-1B because it's not considered a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree. Some employers in underserved areas have historically used EB-3 "other worker" green card petitions, but these come with very long wait times and limited availability. This is one of the toughest healthcare roles to get sponsored for, so be cautious about recruiters promising easy pathways. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

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Overview

Open Jobs18,753+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type99% On-site
Salary Range$37K – $49K
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsGenesis

Showing 5 of 18,753+ nursing assistant jobs

WellSpan Health
Nursing Assistant
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WellSpan Health
New 7m ago
Nursing Assistant
WellSpan Health
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
High School

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ECU Health
Nursing Assistant
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ECU Health
New 20m ago
Nursing Assistant
ECU Health
Greenville, North Carolina
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
High School

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Adventist HealthCare
Certified Nursing Assistant
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Adventist HealthCare
New 39m ago
Certified Nursing Assistant
Adventist HealthCare
Rockville, Maryland
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$19.21 - $24.90
On-Site
High School

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RIDGEVIEW
Certified Nursing Assistant CNA
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RIDGEVIEW
New 57m ago
Certified Nursing Assistant CNA
RIDGEVIEW
San Diego, California
Nursing
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
CNA / Patient Care Tech
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$24.50/hr
On-Site
None

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Fairview Health Services
Nursing Assistant
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Fairview Health Services
New 59m ago
Nursing Assistant
Fairview Health Services
Edina, Minnesota
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
None

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Nursing Assistant

Plan a pathway from CNA to RN for stronger visa options

Using CNA experience as a stepping stone toward LPN or RN licensure dramatically improves your immigration prospects. RNs qualify for Schedule A green card processing, which is faster and more reliable than the EB-3 other workers category. Many employers offer tuition assistance for CNAs pursuing nursing degrees, which can offset the cost of advancement.

Target long-term care facilities in rural shortage areas

Rural nursing homes and assisted living facilities often experience the most severe CNA shortages and may be more willing to explore sponsorship options. These employers in medically underserved areas have a stronger case for demonstrating that they cannot find domestic workers to fill the role. Research facilities in states with aging populations like Maine, West Virginia, and Vermont.

Obtain your CNA certification through a state-approved program

Completing a state-approved CNA training program and passing the certification exam (written and clinical skills components) is required before you can work as a nursing assistant. Each state maintains its own nurse aide registry, so ensure your certification is valid in the state where you plan to work. Some states offer reciprocity for CNAs certified in other states.

Build specialized skills in dementia care or rehabilitation

CNAs with additional training in memory care, dementia support, or rehabilitation assisting are more valuable to specialized facilities. Alzheimer's care units and post-acute rehabilitation centers have particular difficulty staffing positions that require this expertise. Demonstrating specialized training beyond basic CNA competencies can differentiate you from other candidates.

Look for employers offering career ladder programs

Hospital systems and large long-term care organizations like Brookdale Senior Living, Sunrise Senior Living, and HCR ManorCare sometimes offer career development programs that help CNAs advance to higher-level nursing roles. These programs may include tuition assistance, schedule flexibility for coursework, and internal promotion pathways. Advancing within an organization that already employs you can simplify the sponsorship conversation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can nursing assistants get visa sponsorship in the U.S.?

Visa sponsorship for nursing assistants is one of the more challenging paths in healthcare. Most CNA positions do not require a bachelor's degree, which makes them ineligible for H-1B classification as a specialty occupation. The most common sponsorship route is through the EB-3 "other workers" green card category, but processing times for this category can be very long - often a decade or more for applicants from high-demand countries like India and the Philippines.

What is the EB-3 other workers category for nursing assistants?

The EB-3 "other workers" subcategory is for positions requiring less than two years of training or experience, which includes CNA roles. An employer must sponsor you through this process, which involves labor certification and an immigrant visa petition. The main challenge is the wait time - visa bulletin priority dates for this subcategory can be many years behind the current date, depending on your country of chargeability.

Would it help to become a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse instead?

Advancing to LPN or RN can significantly improve your sponsorship options. Registered nurses benefit from Schedule A designation, which streamlines the green card labor certification process. LPN and RN roles also command higher salaries and have clearer specialty occupation arguments. Many community colleges and nursing programs offer bridge programs specifically designed for CNAs looking to advance.

Do nursing homes and long-term care facilities sponsor visas?

Some long-term care facilities do sponsor, particularly those in rural areas or regions with severe staffing shortages. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities face some of the highest vacancy rates in healthcare. However, sponsorship for CNA-level positions is less common than for RNs or LPNs because the visa options are more limited. Facilities that do sponsor typically pursue the EB-3 other workers green card pathway.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Nursing Assistant jobs?

When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a nursing assistant in Texas will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.

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