Occupational Therapist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Occupational therapists qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-2 sponsorship based on their specialized healthcare training. Most positions require a master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program, plus state licensure where you'll practice. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsOccupational Therapist
Elk Grove, California
Full-time - Onsite In-Center Patient Care
On the day-to-day, you will:
- Conduct Occupational Therapy assessments in our facility and occasionally in the home to define participant care needs, preferences, and goals
- Actively participate in IDT meetings to develop participant care plans
- Deliver and document interventions as agreed upon in participant care plans
- Provide active and passive exercise, muscle re-education, gait, and functional training of ADLs
- Work with Therapy Assistants, providing training, instruction, and guidance needed to implement Functional Maintenance Programs (FMP)
Must-Haves:
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy; master's preferred
- Two (2) years in a clinical setting with a frail or elderly population preferred
- Valid California Occupational Therapy License, or proof of license eligibility
- Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 180 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter; CPR and First Aid certification upon hire preferred
We are seeking Occupational Therapists who ideally have outpatient, acute, inpatient, or skilled nursing experience. If you're ready to join a holistic care team that values both its patients and its providers, we'd love to hear from you!
Occupational Therapist
Elk Grove, California
Full-time - Onsite In-Center Patient Care
On the day-to-day, you will:
- Conduct Occupational Therapy assessments in our facility and occasionally in the home to define participant care needs, preferences, and goals
- Actively participate in IDT meetings to develop participant care plans
- Deliver and document interventions as agreed upon in participant care plans
- Provide active and passive exercise, muscle re-education, gait, and functional training of ADLs
- Work with Therapy Assistants, providing training, instruction, and guidance needed to implement Functional Maintenance Programs (FMP)
Must-Haves:
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy; master's preferred
- Two (2) years in a clinical setting with a frail or elderly population preferred
- Valid California Occupational Therapy License, or proof of license eligibility
- Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 180 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter; CPR and First Aid certification upon hire preferred
We are seeking Occupational Therapists who ideally have outpatient, acute, inpatient, or skilled nursing experience. If you're ready to join a holistic care team that values both its patients and its providers, we'd love to hear from you!
See all 2,566+ Occupational Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Occupational Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Occupational Therapist Jobs
Target healthcare systems over private practices
Large hospital networks and rehabilitation centers have established H-1B sponsorship programs and immigration attorneys on retainer, unlike smaller private practices.
Emphasize your specialized population focus
Pediatric, neurological, or hand therapy specializations strengthen your H-1B case by demonstrating the specialized knowledge requirement beyond general OT practice.
Get your credentials evaluated early
International OT degrees need AOTA credential evaluation plus state licensing board review. Start this process 6-12 months before job searching.
Consider states with OT shortages
Rural areas and underserved regions face critical occupational therapist shortages, making employers more willing to sponsor international candidates for needed roles.
Network through AOTA conferences
American Occupational Therapy Association events connect you with department managers who understand the value of international OT training and diversity.
Highlight evidence-based practice experience
Employers value OTs who can implement research-based interventions and outcome measurement tools, which strengthens your specialty occupation argument for H-1B petitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master's degree for H-1B sponsorship as an occupational therapist?
Yes, most H-1B visa petitions for occupational therapists require a master's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program. While some employers accept bachelor's degrees plus equivalent experience, USCIS increasingly expects the master's level education that's now standard for OT licensure in most states.
Can occupational therapists qualify for O-1 visas?
Occupational therapists can qualify for O-1 visas by demonstrating extraordinary ability through published research, national awards, expert testimony in legal cases, or leadership roles in professional organizations like AOTA. Clinical excellence alone typically isn't sufficient without documented national recognition.
Do I need state licensure before applying for visa sponsorship?
You don't need licensure before the H-1B petition, but you must obtain it before starting work. Most employers will sponsor the H-1B based on your OT degree and eligibility for state licensure, then you complete licensing requirements while your petition is pending.
How do international OT degrees affect H-1B approval chances?
International occupational therapy degrees are generally well-accepted if they're from recognized programs and properly evaluated by AOTA or another credential evaluation service. The key is demonstrating your degree meets U.S. educational standards for OT practice and state licensing requirements.
What's the approval rate for occupational therapist H-1B petitions?
Healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, have historically high H-1B approval rates due to clear specialty occupation requirements and documented labor shortages. However, USCIS scrutinizes whether the specific position truly requires OT-level skills versus general healthcare support roles.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Occupational Therapist 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.
How to find Occupational Therapist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Occupational Therapist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting healthcare professionals with employers offering visa support. Focus on hospitals, rehabilitation centers, aged care facilities, and private clinics that commonly sponsor H-1B, EB-2, or EB-3 visas for OTs. These healthcare employers often face staffing shortages and actively recruit internationally qualified occupational therapists.