Registered Nurse Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Registered nurses with active RN licensure are among the most directly sponsorable healthcare professionals in the United States. Hospitals and health systems frequently hire international RNs through direct-placement programs, and the EB-3 visa category offers a clear path to a green card. State-specific licensing requirements mean candidates must research the Board of Nursing rules in their target state before accepting a position.

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Overview

Open Jobs39,517+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type98% On-site
Salary Range$81K – $116K
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsTrinity Health

Showing 5 of 39,517+ registered nurse jobs

The Inn at Fairview Memory Care
RN or LPN
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The Inn at Fairview Memory Care
New 59m ago
RN or LPN
The Inn at Fairview Memory Care
Hudson, New Hampshire
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
None

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Conway Medical Center
Registered Nurse
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Conway Medical Center
New 1h ago
Registered Nurse
Conway Medical Center
Conway, South Carolina
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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Tennova Healthcare- Turkey Creek Medical Center
RN Progressive Care Unit
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Tennova Healthcare- Turkey Creek Medical Center
New 1h ago
RN Progressive Care Unit
Tennova Healthcare- Turkey Creek Medical Center
Knoxville, Tennessee
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
None

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Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
RN Care Manager
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Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
New 1h ago
RN Care Manager
Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
Saginaw, Michigan
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
Bachelor's

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UMass Memorial Health
Registered Nurse
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UMass Memorial Health
New 1h ago
Registered Nurse
UMass Memorial Health
Worcester, Massachusetts
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$37/hr - $81/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Registered Nurse

Earn a BSN to strengthen your H-1B eligibility

USCIS has challenged H-1B petitions for nurses with associate's degrees, arguing the role doesn't require a bachelor's. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) makes a significantly stronger specialty occupation case if your employer files an H-1B rather than pursuing the EB-3 route.

Target hospital systems with active international recruitment

HCA Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic, and Mayo Clinic are among the hospital systems known for sponsoring registered nurses. These large systems have dedicated immigration teams and established processes for international RN recruitment.

Complete NCLEX-RN and state licensure requirements early

Each U.S. state has its own nursing licensure requirements beyond passing the NCLEX-RN. Research the specific state where you plan to work, as some states require additional documentation for internationally educated nurses - starting this early avoids delays in your visa timeline.

Obtain your CGFNS VisaScreen certificate

The VisaScreen certificate from CGFNS is required for registered nurses seeking most occupational visa categories. The process includes a credentials evaluation, an English proficiency exam like IELTS or TOEFL, and verification of your nursing education and license.

Understand the EB-3 green card timeline

The EB-3 immigrant visa is the most common path for internationally trained RNs and leads directly to permanent residency. Your employer files a PERM labor certification on your behalf, but expect the full process from recruitment to arrival to take 2-4 years.

Specialize in high-demand nursing fields

Critical care, operating room, emergency, and labor and delivery nurses are in especially high demand across U.S. hospitals. Specializing in these areas can make employers more motivated to sponsor you and may lead to faster placement through staffing agencies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What visa do registered nurses use to work in the U.S.?

The EB-3 immigrant visa is the most common pathway for international RNs, as it provides a direct route to a green card through employer sponsorship. Some employers also use the H-1B visa for nurses in specialized roles like critical care, perioperative nursing, or nurse informatics. Registered nurses are designated as Schedule A occupations by the Department of Labor, which means they bypass the standard PERM recruitment process and can file directly with USCIS. Processing times vary depending on your country of origin and current visa bulletin priority dates.

Do I need to pass the NCLEX-RN before an employer will sponsor me?

Most employers require you to pass the NCLEX-RN before finalizing a sponsorship offer, though some recruitment programs will begin the process while you are preparing for the exam. The NCLEX-RN is administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers worldwide, so you can take it before arriving in the U.S. You will also need a credential evaluation of your nursing education through CGFNS or a state-approved agency to confirm your training meets U.S. standards.

Do employers prefer BSN-prepared RNs over associate-degree RNs for sponsorship?

Increasingly yes. Many hospitals, particularly those with Magnet designation, prefer or require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. BSN-prepared nurses generally have access to more sponsorship opportunities and higher starting salaries. For international nurses, a four-year nursing degree also simplifies the credential evaluation process since it maps directly to a U.S. bachelor's equivalent.

How long does the visa sponsorship process typically take for nurses?

Because registered nurses are Schedule A occupations, they skip the lengthy PERM labor certification process that other professions face. The employer files the I-140 immigrant petition directly with USCIS, and from there the main variable is visa bulletin wait times based on your country of birth. Nurses from countries like the Philippines and India may face multi-year backlogs, while those from less oversubscribed countries can move through faster. Some employers offer temporary work authorization through H-1B while the green card process is pending.

Which nursing specialties are most commonly sponsored?

Medical-surgical, critical care (ICU), emergency department, and operating room nurses are the most commonly sponsored because these units face the most persistent staffing shortages. Specialty areas like labor and delivery, oncology, and telemetry are also in demand. Nurses with at least two years of clinical experience in a high-need specialty are the strongest candidates for sponsorship programs.

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