Immigration Options for Nurses and Physical Therapists Working in the United States
Physical therapists and registered nurses are in high demand in the United States. There are several visa and green card categories that RN’s and PT’s can qualify for in order to work in the United States: H-1B Visa The H-1B work visa may be issued to foreign nationals seeking temporary work in a "specialty occupation," which requires the skills of a professional. Congress issues 65,000 H-1B visas every year, with an additional 20,000 for those with master’s degrees or higher. Criteria The job must meet one of the following criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation under an H-1B visa:
- Bachelor’s or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum entry requirement for the position being offered
- The degree requirement for the position being offered is common to the industry, or the job is so complex or unique that it can be performed only by an individual with a degree
- The employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position being offered
- The nature of the specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher (i.e. Master’s, MBA, J.D., PhD., etc.)
- Have completed a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher required by the specific specialty occupation from an accredited college or university
- Hold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in the specialty occupation
- Hold an unrestricted state license, registration, or certification which authorizes the beneficiary to fully practice the specialty occupation and be engaged in that specialty in the state of intended employment
- Have education, training, or progressively responsible experience in the specialty that is equivalent to the completion of such a degree, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty
- They qualify under the "Professionals Under the North American Free Trade Agreement" list;
- They possess certain specific criteria for that profession (i.e., relevant degree);
- The position in the U.S. requires a candidate in that professional capacity and;
- They will be entering to work for a U.S. employer
- In person at a port of entry (POE) to the United States
- By submitting an application to the USCIS while in the United States
- By submitting an application to the USCIS from abroad