EB-3 Green Card for Nurses & Physical Therapists
SanSha Law Office represents Registered Nurses, LPNs/LVNs, CNAs, and Physical Therapists — and the U.S. hospitals and care employers who sponsor them — through the EB-3 green card process, from credential review to permanent residency.
Whether you're a nurse mapping your own path to a green card, or an employer building a sponsorship program, the first step is understanding how the EB-3 "Schedule A" category works — and why it can move faster than a standard employment green card.
Who We Help
Registered Nurses (RN)
For RNs who hold a full, unrestricted state license or have passed the NCLEX-RN, plus a CGFNS Certificate or VisaScreen Certificate where required. RNs fall under the Department of Labor's Schedule A, Group I occupations, which waives the standard labor certification (PERM) step.
LPN / LVN
We evaluate whether your role and licensure fit a standard EB-3 skilled-worker filing and manage the employer's petition alongside it. LPNs and CNAs generally do not qualify for the Schedule A waiver the way RNs and PTs do, so we walk through what that means for your timeline.
CNA
Guidance on credential evaluation and how a CNA role maps to sponsorship options, including pathways toward LPN or RN licensure over time.
Physical Therapists
For PTs who meet the requirements to sit for the state PT licensing exam. Like RNs, PTs are classified under Schedule A, Group I and are exempt from the standard PERM labor certification process
The EB-3 Schedule A Pathway, Step by Step
This is the actual order USCIS and the State Department require:
- Credential review & case strategy. We map your license, NCLEX or PT exam status, and CGFNS documentation to confirm eligibility and identify what's missing before an employer files anything.
- Employer files Form I-140 (Schedule A). Because RNs and PTs sit on the Department of Labor's Schedule A list, the employer's petition skips the standard PERM labor certification — normally the slowest part of an employment green card case.
- VisaScreen Certificate. Required before a consulate issues an immigrant visa, or before USCIS approves adjustment of status. It confirms your license, exams, and English proficiency independently of the I-140.
- Adjustment of status or consular processing. Nurses already in the U.S. can often file for adjustment of status alongside the I-140 and receive work authorization in roughly 90–120 days while the green card case is pending.
- Green card issued. Permanent residence for the nurse or PT, plus a spouse and any unmarried children under 21, once state licensure requirements are also satisfied.
Why the Schedule A Waiver Matters
Most employment-based green cards start with PERM, a recruitment process supervised by the Department of Labor that can add a year or more before a petition is even filed. Schedule A removes that step entirely for qualifying RNs and PTs.
| Standard EB-3 (PERM required) | Schedule A (RN / PT) |
|---|---|
|
Employer conducts supervised recruitment to test the labor market |
Employer files Form I-140 directly with supporting documentation |
|
Prevailing wage determination from the Department of Labor |
Job posting requirement is a 10-business-day internal notice, not full recruitment |
|
Typically adds 12–24 months before the I-140 can even be filed |
Case can move to adjustment of status or consular processing much sooner |
For Employers Sponsoring Nurses
Hospitals, home health agencies, and care facilities work with us to sponsor RNs, PTs, and other clinical staff without absorbing the compliance risk themselves. We handle:
- Form I-140 preparation and Schedule A documentation, including financial-ability evidence
- Drafting and posting the required internal job notice at the worksite
- Coordinating CGFNS, VisaScreen, and state licensure timelines with your start dates
- Program-level support for facilities sponsoring multiple nurses at once
Considering foreign-trained clinical staff? We'll walk your HR or talent team through what sponsorship actually requires — cost, timeline, and documentation — before you commit to a candidate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CGFNS Certificate, and do I need one?
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools certificate confirms a three-part review: a credentials evaluation, an English proficiency exam, and the CGFNS qualifying exam. If you've already passed the NCLEX-RN, you're generally exempt from needing this certificate separately.
What's the difference between CGFNS certification and a VisaScreen Certificate?
VisaScreen is the broader healthcare-worker credential required before a consulate issues your immigrant visa, or before USCIS approves adjustment of status. It isn't required to file or approve the I-140 itself — only later in the process.
How long does the EB-3 nurse green card process take?
It varies by service center and whether you're filing from inside or outside the U.S., but Schedule A removes the PERM step that typically adds a year or more to other employment green cards. We'll give you a realistic timeline once we've reviewed your specific case.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally be included as derivative beneficiaries on the same green card case.
Are LPNs and CNAs eligible for the same Schedule A process as RNs?
Schedule A's labor certification waiver is specifically for professional nurses and physical therapists. LPNs and CNAs may still qualify for employer sponsorship through the standard EB-3 skilled-worker category, which typically does require labor certification. We review each role individually.
What does it cost an employer to sponsor a nurse?
Costs depend on the case type, whether Schedule A applies, and how many positions are being sponsored. We provide a clear cost and timeline estimate before any engagement begins.
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration outcomes depend on individual facts, current USCIS and Department of Labor policy, and case-specific documentation. Viewing this page or submitting a contact form does not create an attorney-client relationship with SanSha Law Office PLLC.