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. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

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Overview

Open Jobs36,775+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type98% On-site
Median Salary$51K
Top LocationAtlanta, GA
Most JobsTrinity Health

Showing 5 of 36,775+ Registered Nurse jobs

Norton Healthcare
RN PRN, PACU
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Norton Healthcare
New 7m ago
RN PRN, PACU
Norton Healthcare
Louisville, Kentucky
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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Cleveland Clinic
RN Ambulatory - Cardiovascular Medicine
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Cleveland Clinic
New 11m ago
RN Ambulatory - Cardiovascular Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$33/hr - $53/hr
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Memorial Health University Medical Center
RN Trauma ICU
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Memorial Health University Medical Center
New 13m ago
RN Trauma ICU
Memorial Health University Medical Center
Savannah, Georgia
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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Carle Health
RN - L&D Mother/Baby
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Carle Health
New 15m ago
RN - L&D Mother/Baby
Carle Health
Normal, Illinois
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$33/hr - $57/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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University of Miami
Registered Nurse 2 - Specialty
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University of Miami
New 15m ago
Registered Nurse 2 - Specialty
University of Miami
Miami, Florida
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding 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.

How to find Registered Nurse jobs with visa sponsorship?

To find Registered Nurse jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting healthcare professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on hospitals, aged care facilities, and healthcare networks that commonly sponsor H-1B, TN, or EB-3 visas for nurses. Many healthcare systems actively recruit international nurses due to ongoing staffing shortages.

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.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Registered Nurse 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 registered nurse 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 Page.

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