At a Glance
USA nurse recruitment — the numbers that matter
EB-3, Not H-1B
Most bedside RN roles don’t qualify for H-1B since they don’t require a bachelor’s degree nationally — EB-3 is the real, stable pathway for the vast majority of nurses.
Schedule A Advantage
Nursing sits on the Department of Labor’s Schedule A list, meaning the standard PERM labour certification step is waived — a genuine head start most occupations don’t get.
12–24 Months Typical
From credential verification through to Green Card, though your specific country of origin significantly affects this timeline.
An honest note on timing: EB-3 wait times vary significantly by country of origin. Indian nurses currently face a considerably longer queue than nurses from the Philippines or most other countries — this is a genuine factor in your timeline, and we’ll give you a realistic estimate specific to your situation rather than a generic one.
Why EB-3
A Green Card, with a nursing-specific shortcut built in
The EB-3 is an immigrant visa — it leads directly to permanent residency, not a renewable work permit. Because nursing sits on the Department of Labor’s Schedule A occupation list, the employer sponsoring you skips the standard PERM labour certification recruitment process entirely, since the shortage is already federally recognised. Your employer files Form I-140 on your behalf, and once approved, you and your immediate family receive Green Cards — full permanent residency, not a temporary status tied to one employer.
Physicians Follow a Different Path
USMLE, ECFMG and the residency match
For Physicians
Unlike nursing, becoming a licensed physician in the US requires completing USMLE Steps 1, 2 (CK and CS where required) and Step 3, alongside ECFMG Certification for internationally educated doctors. Critically, even experienced consultants and specialists must complete a US residency program — matched through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) — before state medical board licensure is possible. This is a genuinely longer, more demanding pathway than nursing, and worth planning for realistically from the outset.
Physician Visa Pathways
J-1 Visa — for residency/fellowship training, often with a 2-year home-country return requirement unless waived.
H-1B Visa — for specialty roles post-residency.
Employers and residency programs typically lead the petition process and assist with documentation and interview preparation.
What You Need
Credentials, exam and English proficiency
CGFNS Credential Verification
Your nursing education and licence are verified against US standards — the mandatory first step before NCLEX in most states.
NCLEX-RN
Computer-adaptive, 85–150 questions, Next Generation NCLEX format focused on clinical judgment. You nominate one state board to receive your result.
English Proficiency
Most state boards require IELTS Academic 7.0 overall minimum, or TOEFL, or the CGFNS Qualifying Exam.
State Board Licensure
Issued once you pass NCLEX — we help you choose the state board that best fits your background and processing speed.
VisaScreen Certificate
A comprehensive DHS-required evaluation covering your education, licensure and English — required before EB-3 processing completes.
Employer Sponsorship
A US healthcare employer files Form I-140 on your behalf — nursing’s Schedule A status means no PERM labour certification is required.
The Process
From credential check to Green Card
01
CGFNS Verification
Your nursing education and licence are formally evaluated against US standards.
02
NCLEX-RN Preparation
Structured preparation for the computer-adaptive exam — we recommend 3–6 months of dedicated study.
03
State Licensure & VisaScreen
Once licensed, your VisaScreen certificate is issued, confirming you meet US immigration requirements.
04
Employer Sponsorship (I-140)
A sponsoring US employer files your immigrant petition, benefiting from nursing’s Schedule A waiver.
05
Green Card & Relocation
Once approved, you and your immediate family receive Green Cards — full permanent residency.