Healthcare Jobs in the USA with Visa Sponsorship for Foreign Nurses; Are you a qualified nurse who has been passionate and dream of working in the United States? If you the one and your answer is yes, then you’re not alone and you are also not too far from making this dream a reality. In 2025, the U.S. continues to face a critical nursing shortage, this circumstance has made it the perfect time for foreign trained nurses to pursue healthcare jobs with visa sponsorship.
Many employers in the U.S. are ready to sponsor both your visa, cover your relocation costs and also guide you through licensing, ranging from hospitals in Texas to long-term facilities in the New York. In as much as you are qualified, the U.S. healthcare system would definitely hire you as an international nurse to meet the growing demand.
This article is a step-to-step guide on how to successfully relocate to the U.S. as an international nurse and secure a nursing job this 2025.
Why the U.S. Needs Foreign Nurses in 2025
The honest truth is that the nursing crisis in the United State isn’t new, just that it getting more urgent this 2025. Let list the obvious reasons for the needs below;
- It obvious that over 1 million nurses are projected to retire by 2030.
- And the aging U.S. population demands more long-term care.
- We are familiar with the disaster that COVID-19 caused the world so the aftermath of COVID-19 has worsened burnout among local nurses. There is need for more workforce
- We should also be aware that certain states such as California, New York, Florida, and Texas are desperate for skilled RNs.
We have seen the above reasons for the obvious needs for foreign nurses this 2025 and as a result the U.S. employers are increasingly turning to international recruitment. Many U.S. employers are willing to sponsor qualified candidates and offer them both visa sponsorship, green card assistance, and financial relocation support.
What is Visa Sponsorship for Foreign Nurses?
Visa sponsorship under this context simply means when a U.S. employer most especially in the field of hospital or healthcare agency hires you from abroad and also legally sponsors your immigration paperwork so you live and work in the U.S. The sponsor/employer typically do the following for the international worker;
- They literally files a petition with U.S. immigration (USCIS)
- Then assists with legal paperwork and NCLEX scheduling
- Most of the U.S. based employer/sponsor may cover relocation costs, housing, and licensing fees
- Often applies for a green card (permanent residency) under the EB-3 category
Top U.S. Visa Types for Foreign Nurses
Let now discuss visa categories that a foreign nurse can apply for;
- EB-3 Visa (Employment-Based Green Card)
This type of visa is mostly popular for nurses and it allows employer to sponsor the international employee. In this category both spouse and children under 21 is allowed. It gives employee the privilege to get permanent residency approval i.e. green card and finally no annual cap for registered nurses (Schedule A occupation)
- H-1B Visa (Limited Use)
This visa type is rarely used for general nursing and sometimes used for nurse practitioners or specialists. This is a nonimmigrant visa. It permit a U.S. based employer to temporarily employ international workers in specialized field.
- J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor)
This type of visa is specifically for training or internship and usually not for long-term work. Most times it may have a 2-year home residency requirement.
We want to use this opportunity to suggest and advise that any foreign nurse who is interested for a long-term U.S. work should target the EB-3 Green Card pathway.
Top U.S. Hospitals and Agencies Hiring Foreign Nurses in 2025
Let consider some of the U.S. based hospitals with good record of employing international workers;
- AdventHealth: which is located at Florida, Georgia and Texas and they are known for active international recruitment. They offers both visa sponsorship and relocation package
- Mayo Clinic: their location is Minnesota, Arizona and Florida and they sponsor skilled Nurses in either critical care or oncology. They also offer Green card processing assistance
- Mount Sinai Health System: located at New York and they mostly recruit from the following countries; Philippines, India and Nigeria. They offer full immigration support and transition programs
- Avant Healthcare Professionals (Agency): They recruit RNs worldwide and they also provides NCLEX training, VisaScreen guidance. They specifically sponsors EB-3 visa and relocation
- O’ Grady Peyton International (Agency): They are subsidiary of AMN Healthcare and they specializes in placing international nurses in U.S. hospitals. They have high success rate for visa approvals
It is very important and necessary that you run a background check on any scholarship agency history, contract and placement process before committing.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get a Nursing Job in U.S. (with Sponsorship)
Step 1: Meet Education Requirements
You need to be qualified before going to apply for nursing scholarship and to be qualified you need to;
- you need to be a registered nurse (RN) right from your home country
- Minimum should be Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or BscN
- Some of the states in the U.S. prefer BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
The NCLEX-RN Exam is a mandatory criteria to getting a nursing job in the United State
- It is mandatory for U.S. nurse licensure
- You can take the NCLEX in select global test centers
- Some agencies such as Avant and PassortUSA provide prep support
Step 3: Obtain the VisaScreen Certificate
It is required by the U.S. immigration and you must:
- Pass NCLEX
- You must prove English language proficiency most especially if English is not your official language. Either IELTS or TOEFL is accepted.
- You must also verify education and license via CGFNS
Step 4: Apply to Employers or Nursing Agencies
Make sure you use verified and trusted platforms to avoid entering the hands of scammers. Use platforms like:
- Indeed.com
- NursingJobs.com
- AvantHealthcare.com
Also use U.S. specified format to write your resume and personal statement
Step 5: Secure a Job Offer + Visa Petition
It is important to secure a job offer from a U.S. based company who is willing to sponsor you after that;
- Your employer will file an 1-140 immigrant petition (EB-3)
- Immediately it is approved, you’ll go through visa processing at the U.S. embassy in your home country
Step 6: Prepare for Relocation
Even from your home country, you need to start making plans such as;
- How to get house assistance, orientation
- How to book flights even though many employers takes care of it
- Then finally arrive in the U.S. and be ready to work.
What Qualifications Do You Need?
Let consider few things that qualify you and they are written below;
- Valid nursing license in your home country
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
- Prove English language proficiency
- VisaScreen certificate
- Willingness to relocate and work full-time
We will also recommend the following;
- Basic computer literacy would definitely boast your chances
- Good communication and interpersonal skills most especially in English language
- Prior hospital/clinical experience. Most U.S. based companies values people with good experiences in a particular field
- Flexibility to work in rural or underserved areas (some programs prioritize this)
Salaries & Benefits for Sponsored Nurses
We are considering average Registered Nurses salaries by State and this is 2025 Estimates;
California: they pay an average salary of $110,000/year
New York: they pay an average salary of $95,000/year
Texas: they pay an average salary of $87,000/year
Florida: they pay an average salary of $83,000/year
Illinois: they pay an average salary of $89,000/year
Common Benefits:
These are common benefits attached to being a registered nurse in U.S. and they’re;
- Green card processing (EB-3)
- Paid flight + relocation allowance
- Free housing (temporary)
- Sign-on bonuses ($5,000 – $15,000)
- Family visa sponsorship (spouse & kids)
Challenges You Might Face (And How to Overcome Them)
- NCLEX difficulty: It is advisable you enroll in NCLEX prep programs and many are offered free by agencies
- Visa Delay/backlog: it is better to start early and apply through experienced sponsors
- Cultural adjustment: join support networks, diaspora communities
- Unethical contracts: always make sure you review your contract carefully and seek legal advice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question No. 1: Do I need a U.S. degree to work as a Nurse: The Honest answer here is no. many U.S. based employers accept foreign-trained nurses as long as you pass the NCLEX-RN and meet VisaScreen requirements.
Question No. 2: Can I bring my family with me?: Yes but under some certain visa type for example under the EB-3 green card, it allows your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can apply for dependent
Question No.3: How Long does the process take?: it usually takes about 9-14 months, depending on your country and employer and it also depends on your job offer to arrival in the U.S.
Question No. 4: What if I don’t pass NCLEX on my first try?: NCLEX is an essential criteria and you can retake it after 45 days however most agencies support second attempts.
Question No. 5: Will I be treated fairly in the U.S.?: Human being varies in character and behavior so the way you would be treated depends solely on your employer, that is more reason you should run a background check on your employer. Select those with good track record with international hires. You should use verified and trusted platforms like; Glassdoor or Reddit to read reviews.
Conclusion
If you are a registered nurse, the U.S. needs you with thousands of nurse vacancies across hospitals, clinics and other care centers. Many employers are ready to offer visa sponsorship and support, you can take your skills global in 2025.
A carrier as a registered Nurse isn’t just a job but a life-changing opportunity to; Earn a competitive salary, Build a career, live with your family in one of the top countries in the world and gain permanent residency through your profession. We advise you take the first step by researching the different agencies, study for the NCLEX. Prepare your documents and then start applying today. Your future in American healthcare is waiting. Are you ready to answer the call?