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EB-3A for Nurses

Fast-track your American dream as a registered nurse with the EB-3A green card pathway designed specifically for healthcare professionals.
  • Schedule A occupation - streamlined labor certification
  • Permanent residency for you and your family
  • Work anywhere in the U.S. after green card approval
  • Path to U.S. citizenship
Check Your Eligibility
The EB-3A is a U.S. green card category for skilled workers, including registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and other nursing professionals.
Nursing is listed as a ‘Schedule A’ occupation by the U.S. Department of Labor, which means there is a recognized shortage of qualified nurses in America.
This Schedule A designation streamlines your immigration process significantly – no lengthy labor certification process. Your employer simply needs to demonstrate they’re offering you the prevailing wage for your position.
If approved, you and your immediate family receive permanent residency, allowing you to live, work, and build your future anywhere in the United States.
Top Benefits of the EB3‑A Nurses
  • Schedule A Designation
Streamlined process – no lengthy labor certification required
  • Premium Processing

Decision on I-140 petition available (45 days)

  • High Demand
U.S. hospitals and healthcare facilities actively seek qualified nurses
  • Permanent Residency
Live and work anywhere in the U.S. permanently
  • Job Security
After green card approval, you’re not tied to your sponsoring employer
  • Family Inclusion
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 get green cards too
  • Path to Citizenship
Eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years
  • Spouse and Children
Spouse and children receive green card benefits

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Employer Sponsorship Required
You must have a U.S. healthcare employer willing to sponsor your petition
  • Permanent Full-Time Position
Job offer must be for permanent, full-time employment
  • Priority Date Retrogression
Wait times for the final step vary based on country of birth and visa availability
  • Prevailing Wage Requirement
Employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your area and position
  • Priority Date Backlog
Wait times vary by country of birth (can be 2-5 years for final green card)
  • Licensing Requirements
You must meet all state licensing requirements (NCLEX-RN, etc.)
  • Credential Evaluation
Foreign nursing credentials must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
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Eligibility

To qualify for the EB-3A visa as a nurse, you must meet both the general EB-3A requirements for skilled workers AND demonstrate that you qualify as a professional nurse. Most importantly, your employer must offer you a permanent, full-time position and pay at least the prevailing wage for your occupation and geographic area.

Core Requirements for EB3-A

You must either qualify as…

01

Nursing Qualification

You must be qualified as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or other recognized nursing professional

02

Minimum Experience/Training

At least 2 years of training and/or experience in nursing (typically met through nursing education and clinical training)

03

Educational Credentials

Your foreign nursing degree/diploma must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. standards

04

U.S. Employer Sponsorship

A U.S. healthcare employer must offer you permanent, full-time employment and sponsor your petition

Educational Requirements

According to USCIS, a professional nurse is someone who:

01

For RNs

Typically requires an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in nursing

02

For LPNs/LVNs

Usually a diploma or certificate from an approved nursing program

03

For Advanced Practice

Bachelor’s degree or higher may be required

Schedule A

Your Fast Track Advantage

Schedule A is a list maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor of occupations experiencing critical shortages. Nursing professionals are permanently listed on Schedule A, which provides significant advantages:
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Schedule A Benefits for Nurses

01

No Labor Certification Process

Skip the lengthy process of proving no qualified U.S. workers are available. The DOL already recognizes the nursing shortage.

02

Faster Processing

Eliminates months (sometimes years) from the immigration timeline

03

Simplified Documentation

Less burdensome paperwork requirements for your employer

04

Wage Protection Maintained

You still must be paid the prevailing wage – ensuring fair compensation

FAQs

What Qualifies as a Professional Nurse?

According to USCIS, a professional nurse is someone who:

  • Applies the art and science of nursing with comprehension of principles from physical, biological, and behavioral sciences
  • Makes clinical judgments involving observation, care, and counsel of persons requiring nursing care
  • Administers medicines and treatments prescribed by physicians or dentists
  • Participates in health promotion and illness prevention activities
No, you don’t need a U.S. nursing license before filing the I-140 petition. However, you will need to obtain the appropriate state nursing license before you can begin working. Most states require passing the NCLEX-RN exam for registered nurses. Your employer may assist you with the licensing process, and some will sponsor your NCLEX preparation. The key is having your foreign nursing credentials evaluated to show they’re equivalent to U.S. standards for the I-140 petition itself.

Yes! Once your green card is approved, you’re free to work for any employer in any field. However, immigration law expects that you intended to work for your sponsoring employer permanently at the time you filed. As a practical matter, most immigration attorneys recommend working for your sponsoring employer for at least 6-12 months after receiving your green card to demonstrate that intent. After that period, you can freely change jobs or even change careers entirely.

Yes! Once your green card is approved, you’re free to work for any employer in any field. However, immigration law expects that you intended to work for your sponsoring employer permanently at the time you filed. As a practical matter, most immigration attorneys recommend working for your sponsoring employer for at least 6-12 months after receiving your green card to demonstrate that intent. After that period, you can freely change jobs or even change careers entirely.

Once your priority date becomes current and you file for adjustment of status (I-485), your spouse can apply for work authorization (EAD – Employment Authorization Document). This typically takes 3-6 months to receive. With an EAD, your spouse can work for any employer in the U.S.

However, during the priority date wait period (after I-140 approval but before filing I-485), your spouse would need their own work authorization through another visa status (such as H-1B, L-1, or their own employment-based green card petition). Your children can attend school during this time but cannot work until they receive their own EADs or turn 21.

Next Steps

If you have questions regarding this EB-3A process, you can schedule a call with us to get a proper assessment of your profile, have your specific questions answered and have a clear knowledge on what it takes to must meet the specific USCIS eligibility requirements.