Orthopaedic Surgeon Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Orthopaedic surgeons qualify for multiple visa pathways including H-1B visa, O-1A for extraordinary ability, and EB-2 green cards. Medical residency completion in the U.S. significantly strengthens sponsorship prospects, while foreign medical graduates typically need additional USMLE steps and residency matching. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find Orthopaedic Surgeon JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 44+ Orthopaedic Surgeon jobs










See all 44+ Orthopaedic Surgeon Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Orthopaedic Surgeon roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Title: Physician - Orthopaedic Surgeon, Trauma
Requisition Number: FE05044
Working Title: Assistant, Associate, or Professor
Department Name: 7H859:ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
Medical Degree or Equivalent
Demonstrated Ability in Clinical Teaching
Required Related Experience
Completion of residency as well as fellowship training in Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery
Required License/Registration/Certification
Eligible for license to practice medicine in Kentucky
Board Certified or eligible in Orthopaedic Surgery
Job Summary
The UK College of Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine is a strong, multidisciplinary team of more than 150 people dedicated to advancing Kentucky health care together. Our department encompasses 46 faculty members, over 25 staff members, and over 40 learners.
Our department is home to leading clinicians, educators, and researchers and is nationally recognized for advancing orthopaedic care through innovation, discovery, and education. Each year, providers in the department care for more than 80,000 patients across 11 clinical sites. The department trains 43 residents and fellows across 4 accredited programs, while also contributing to the education of medical students and graduate trainees.
Faculty secure, on average, over $1 million in grant funding to pursue cutting-edge research and discoveries, supporting projects in areas centering around developing and evaluating treatments and clinical decision making to enhance recovery, function, and long-term outcomes for patients following orthopedic injuries and surgeries. The department published on average 100 peer-reviewed articles and maintains numerous active clinical trials. More than 15 medical school learners along with varying undergraduate and post-graduate trainees and a core residency class of 25 trainees gain in-depth clinical research experience.
110+ alumni from the department can be found across the globe at academic medical centers, health systems, research institutions, and more.
Lexington is an understated and sophisticated city in the southeast. Situated in the heart of the Bluegrass and rightfully called the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and horse farms. The University of Kentucky is central to the city and plays a major role in commerce and culture. As an SEC school, the university boasts one of the most unique and competitive collegiate sports teams in the nation. Lexington combines safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, an affordable cost of living, and a vibrant community that appeals to individuals, couples, and families. Louisville and Cincinnati are a little over an hour’s drive and complement Lexington as larger, vibrant cities with many cultural and recreational opportunities year-round.
Interested candidates should submit a CV along with their application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Ability to relate with internal and external constituencies of the Medical Center involved in related disciplines
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Deadline to Apply
Open Until Filled: Yes
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
See all 44+ Orthopaedic Surgeon Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Orthopaedic Surgeon roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Orthopaedic Surgeon Jobs
Target academic medical centers and large hospital systems
University hospitals and major health systems sponsor more frequently than private practices due to established immigration departments and higher visa budgets for specialized positions.
Complete U.S. medical residency if possible
US-trained orthopaedic surgeons have significantly higher sponsorship success rates. Residency completion demonstrates cultural fit and eliminates concerns about foreign credential recognition and licensing barriers.
Emphasize subspecialty expertise in applications
Spine surgery, sports medicine, pediatric orthopaedics, and trauma specializations strengthen H-1B specialty occupation arguments and demonstrate the specific expertise requirement for visa approval.
Prepare for longer PERM processing in EB-2 category
Orthopaedic surgeons typically qualify for EB-2 advanced degree category, but PERM labor certification can take 18-24 months due to prevailing wage requirements and recruitment obligations.
Consider O-1A for internationally recognized surgeons
Published research, speaking engagements, awards, or media coverage can support O-1A extraordinary ability petitions, which offer faster processing and no annual caps compared to H-1B.
Document all medical licenses and board certifications
State medical licenses, ABOS board certification, and DEA registration strengthen visa petitions by demonstrating regulatory compliance and professional standing required for specialty occupation classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do orthopaedic surgeons qualify for H-1B specialty occupation requirements?
Yes, orthopaedic surgery clearly meets H-1B visa specialty occupation criteria requiring a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Medical school plus residency training far exceed the educational requirements, and surgical positions inherently require specialized medical knowledge that only licensed physicians can perform.
Can foreign medical graduates become orthopaedic surgeons in the U.S.?
Foreign medical graduates must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3, then complete a U.S. orthopaedic surgery residency program. This pathway takes 5+ years but significantly improves visa sponsorship prospects. Some employers sponsor J-1 visas for residency, followed by H-1B for attending positions.
What degree requirements apply for orthopaedic surgeon visa petitions?
Medical degree plus completed orthopaedic surgery residency satisfy all visa education requirements. Foreign medical degrees require ECFMG certification for equivalency. The advanced medical training far exceeds H-1B bachelor's degree minimums and supports EB-2 advanced degree green card categories.
Do hospitals commonly sponsor orthopaedic surgeons for green cards?
Large hospitals and academic medical centers frequently sponsor orthopaedic surgeons for EB-2 green cards due to physician shortages and long-term employment needs. The PERM process requires recruiting U.S. workers first, but specialized surgical positions often demonstrate no qualified U.S. candidates are available.
How does medical malpractice insurance affect visa applications?
Malpractice coverage doesn't directly impact visa eligibility, but employers must secure insurance before petition filing. High malpractice costs in orthopaedics can influence employer sponsorship decisions. Some hospitals require physicians to maintain coverage throughout the visa validity period as a condition of employment.
How to find Orthopaedic Surgeon jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Orthopaedic Surgeon jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international medical professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus on major hospital systems, academic medical centers, and healthcare networks that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1 visa, or EB-2 visas for specialized physicians. These employers often have established visa sponsorship programs for hard-to-fill medical specialties like orthopaedic surgery.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Orthopaedic Surgeon 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.