H-1B Visas & Permanent Residency for Allied Healthcare Professionals

H-1B Visas for Registered Nurses

Registered nurses can take the first step in obtaining permanent resident status by having their employers file an H-1B nonimmigrant petition on their behalf, if one of the following criteria are met:

• The nurse passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
• The nurse received a certificate from the Commission on Graduates in Foreign Nursing Schools.
• The nurse has an unrestricted license from the state in which he or she will be employed.

H-1B Visas for Physical Therapists

Physical therapists may qualify for H-1B visa status to work in the U.S. even without state licensure. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may allow a foreign-born physical therapist to come to the U.S. on an H-1B visa for a one-year term in order to obtain a license in the state in which they are to be employed.

Expedited Green Card Proceedings for Nurses, Therapists & Physicians

Since 2005, an expedited green card process has been available for physical therapists, nurses, and other qualified allied healthcare professionals. Employers may file immigrant petitions on behalf of such professionals under Schedule A, which bypasses the majority of labor certification (PERM) processes.

To find out if you may qualify and how to move forward with an H-1B application and/or permanent residency, we recommend talking to one of our skilled lawyers at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates. We can talk to you about your short-term and long-term immigration goals to chart out a plan of action that works for you.

Call (888) 915-5057 today to get started. In addition to our headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, we have offices in Columbus Ohio, Cleveland Ohio, Southfield Michigan and Washington, D.C.