Answers for Nurses and Physical Therapists
There is currently a shortage in the United States of nurses,
physical therapists and other healthcare workers. This page
answers questions about temporary and permanent immigration options for nurses and physical
therapists.
Some nurses could qualify for
H-1B visa status if their
positions required at least a bachelor's degree. However, many
nursing positions do not require a bachelor's degree, making the H-1B
visa category somewhat difficult to obtain.
Many prospective U.S. employers apply directly for a
green
card for foreign nurses because there is no requirement to first
obtain a labor certification from the
Department of Labor. The labor certification process, which
requires a very extensive test of the U.S. labor market, has been waived
for professional nurses. Thus, applying for a green card option for a
foreign nurse may be the preferred option.
Physical therapists are generally eligible for an
H-1B visa, since the
bachelor’s degree is generally a standard requirement for that
occupation in the United States. The H-1B visa is available when the
occupation requires a bachelor’s degree. If you are a physical
therapist in another country, you must first submit your educational
credentials to a U.S. state therapy board for a temporary license or
permit. (A list of state therapy boards is available on the
Federal of State Boards of
Physical Therapy website). Once you have a permit, you can
apply for an H-1B visa to work in the United States. Once you
enter the United States, you will have to take the state licensing exam,
and then renew your H-1B visa.
Nurses and physical therapists have
already been designated by the U.S. Department of Labor to be
occupations for which there is a national shortage. Therefore, they
are allowed to file for their green cards
by showing that they have a permanent job offer to work as
a nurse or physical therapist in the United States, they speak English sufficiently
well, and they meet other criteria. They can work at a facility
anywhere in the United States. They do not have to work in any
kind of "shortage" location.
To learn more about obtaining permanent residency as a nurse or
physical therapist, please review information on the
Schedule A for Nurses or Physical Therapists.
For assistance in applying for a temporary work visa or permanent
residency as a nurse or physical therapist, please contact us.
Social Security Cards and the Adjudication of H-1B Petitions (Nov. 20, 2001) 
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