The United States faces a lasting shortage of registered nurses, and American hospitals are actively recruiting internationally to fill the gap. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 180,800 nursing openings every year through 2035, with employment growing 6 percent, faster than the average for all occupations. For qualified foreign nurses, registered nurse jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship in 2026 offer high pay, full immigration support, and a direct path to a green card.
Because most international nurses arrive through employment-based green cards, read our USCIS guide on expanded green card eligibility before you start applying.
Registered Nurse Job Overview: Working in a US Hospital
Registered nurses in the United States provide and coordinate patient care across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Daily duties include assessing patients, administering medications, carrying out treatment plans, monitoring vital signs, and coordinating with doctors and the wider care team. International nurses are hired into specialties such as medical-surgical, telemetry, intensive care, emergency, labor and delivery, psychiatry, and operating room nursing.
Most sponsored positions are full-time roles of 36 hours per week across three 12-hour shifts, with day and night shift options. Hospitals offer structured orientation and mentorship programs so internationally trained nurses can adapt to American clinical standards and technology.
Salary and Pay: What Registered Nurses Earn in the USA
Nursing is one of the best-paid visa-sponsored careers in America. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2025 median pay of $97,550 per year ($46.90 per hour) for registered nurses. Pay varies by state, specialty, and shift: intensive care and emergency nurses, along with night-shift differentials and overtime, earn toward the top of the range.
International recruiting agencies offer competitive entry packages. A verified 2026 listing from Greenstaff Medical advertises registered nurse roles across the United States at $32.00 to $41.60 per hour, with relocation assistance, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), and paid time off included. Sponsored nurses also commonly receive NCLEX and licensing fee reimbursement, one-way airfare, and help with their first month of housing.
Nurses are usually sponsored for permanent rather than seasonal roles, but if you want to compare temporary work categories, our H-2A and H-2B US work visas guide explains how those programs differ.
Requirements and Qualifications for International Nurses
US hospitals set clear standards for foreign-trained nurses. The core requirements are:
- A nursing degree, usually a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program
- A passing score on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam
- An active, unrestricted US registered nurse license for the state of employment
- One to two years of recent clinical experience in a hospital setting
- BLS (Basic Life Support) certification from the American Heart Association
- English proficiency, often demonstrated through IELTS or a similar test
- Credential evaluation through CGFNS and the VisaScreen certificate for immigration purposes
New graduates can also find sponsored roles: some agencies run programs specifically for international new grads and nurses on F-1 OPT, guiding them from licensing through to green card sponsorship.
Visa Sponsorship Route: EB-3 Green Card for Nurses
The EB-3 employment-based green card is the standard sponsorship route for registered nurses. The employer files a PERM labor certification and an I-140 immigrant petition on the nurse’s behalf, leading to lawful permanent residence. Many healthcare staffing agencies now offer in-house immigration teams with premium I-140 processing, plus reimbursement of NCLEX, IELTS, and visa fees.
Other routes exist for specific candidates. Canadian and Mexican nurses may qualify for the TN visa under the USMCA agreement. Nurses already in the United States on F-1 OPT, asylum, or TPS status are frequently transitioned to EB-3 sponsorship by recruiting agencies. Because nurses are classified as Schedule A occupations, their green card process typically moves faster than other employment-based categories.
How to Apply for Registered Nurse Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship 2026
Follow these steps to move from application to a US hospital floor:
- Verify your credentials through CGFNS and begin the VisaScreen process early, since it takes several months
- Prepare for and pass the NCLEX-RN exam; many agencies reimburse the fees
- Apply for RN licensure in your target state through its Board of Nursing
- Build a US-style resume that lists your clinical rotations, specialties, and bedside experience in detail
- Apply directly to international nurse recruiters such as Greenstaff Medical, which handle both placement and the full EB-3 sponsorship process
- Complete interviews, accept an offer, and let the agency’s legal team file your immigration petition while you arrange relocation
Keep your passport, transcripts, employment letters, and license documents ready in digital form so nothing delays your file.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application as a Foreign Nurse
Start the NCLEX preparation before you apply, because a passed NCLEX makes recruiters respond far faster. Target high-demand states and specialties: medical-surgical, telemetry, ICU, and emergency departments hire international nurses most actively. Gather detailed experience letters from every hospital where you worked, since US employers verify clinical hours carefully. Improve your clinical English, especially medical terminology and patient communication, to clear interviews and licensing exams smoothly. Finally, work only with established recruiters that publish their sponsorship terms, fee reimbursements, and green card timelines in writing, and avoid anyone who asks you to pay for a job offer.
Apply Now
Employer: Greenstaff Medical
Apply Now: Greenstaff Medical is hiring registered nurses across the USA with full EB-3 green card sponsorship ($32.00-$41.60/hour). See the Registered Nurse (RN) – Green Card Sponsorship listing and submit your resume today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses earn in the USA in 2026?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2025 median pay of $97,550 per year ($46.90 per hour) for registered nurses. International recruiting agencies currently advertise $32.00 to $41.60 per hour, with shift differentials, overtime, relocation assistance, and full benefits packages on top of the base rate.
Which visa sponsors registered nurses for jobs in the USA?
The EB-3 employment-based green card is the standard route: the employer files a PERM labor certification and an I-140 petition leading to permanent residence, and nurses benefit from faster Schedule A processing. Canadian and Mexican nurses may also qualify for the TN visa, while nurses already in the US on F-1 OPT, asylum, or TPS can often transition to EB-3 sponsorship.
What qualifications do I need as an international nurse?
You need a nursing degree (usually a BSN), a passing NCLEX-RN score, an active US state RN license, and typically one to two years of recent hospital experience. BLS certification, English proficiency, and a CGFNS VisaScreen certificate for immigration are also required by most employers and recruiters.
How do I apply for registered nurse jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship?
Start your CGFNS credential evaluation and VisaScreen early, pass the NCLEX-RN, and get licensed in your target state. Then apply to international nurse recruiters like Greenstaff Medical that handle both hospital placement and the full EB-3 sponsorship process. After interviews and an offer, the agency’s legal team files your petition while you prepare for relocation.
Registered nurse jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship in 2026 combine outstanding pay, with a national median of $97,550 per year, and one of the most reliable immigration routes available through the EB-3 green card. With nearly 181,000 nursing openings projected each year, qualified international nurses are in genuine demand. Pass your NCLEX, complete your VisaScreen, and apply through established recruiters that sponsor your green card in writing. Your American nursing career is closer than you think, so start your application today.
