Customized Visa Strategies
for Smarter Nurse Staffing
At Visa Solutions Healthcare, we know that no two healthcare facilities face the same staffing challenges. That’s why we offer three strategic visa pathways—EB-3, TN, and H-1B Cap-Exempt, each designed to meet your specific workforce needs, timelines, and long-term objectives.
Our visa pathways empower you to hire with intention, meeting today’s needs while building for tomorrow.
What Is the EB-3 Visa?
The EB-3 visa is an employment-based, immigrant visa that allows U.S. healthcare facilities to hire qualified international nurses as permanent residents. It’s one of the most widely used and most successful immigration pathways for long-term RN staffing.
With an almost 100% approval rate and permanent residency for the nurse and their family, the EB-3 is ideal for facilities looking to reduce turnover and invest in long-term team growth.
Is the EB-3 Visa Right for Your Facility?
Key benefits:
Long-Term Staffing Stability
Hire international nurses as full-time, permanent team members from day one. There are no visa renewals or contract cycles to worry about.
Improved Patient Outcomes
Permanent team members support stronger clinical collaboration and care continuity, directly impacting patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Cost-Effective Workforce Solution
Cut long-term costs compared to expensive travel or contract nurses. EB-3 nurses commit to a 3-year, renewable contract.
Streamlined Process
Once approved, EB-3 nurses don’t require visa renewals or additional sponsorship layers, simplifying your staffing strategy.
Family-Friendly Pathway
Nurses receive Green Cards for themselves, their spouse, and dependent children, helping ensure stability and retention.
What Is the TN Visa?
The TN visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. healthcare facilities to hire qualified Canadian or Mexican registered nurses for up to three years, with the option to renew.
Thanks to fast processing (as little as 3–6 months) and no annual visa cap, this visa can help you fill urgent roles quickly with top-tier talent.
Is the TN Visa Right for Your Facility?
Key benefits:
No Annual Cap
File year-round without competing in a visa lottery.
Faster Time-To-Hire
Deploy skilled nurses in as little as 6 months.
Top Clinical Talent
Canadian RNs are highly trained and well-prepared for U.S. care standards.
Cost-Effective Alternative
Avoid high travel nurse costs with a more stable direct-hire model.
Green Card Pathway
With VSH support, qualified nurses may later adjust to permanent residency.
What to Consider
Limited Talent Pool
Canadian RNs are in demand and may be selective on job location and compensation.
Temporary Status
TN visas are valid for up to 3 years and must be renewed if extended.
Spouse Work Restriction
The spouse of a TN visa holder cannot work in the U.S.
No Direct Green Card Link
The TN visa does not automatically lead to permanent residency, but we help bridge that gap.
What Is the H-1B Cap-Exempt Visa?
The H-1B Cap-Exempt visa gives qualifying employers a faster, year-round way to hire skilled international nurses, without the annual lottery cap. Only available to nonprofit hospitals, academic institutions, and research organizations, this pathway allows for quicker deployment, often in as little as six months.
While this path has strict requirements and a higher denial risk, a major immigration policy change in early 2025 has made it easier than ever for eligible hospitals to hire skilled international nurses through the H-1B Cap-Exempt visa. If it’s not successful, nurses can still pursue the EB-3 Green Card as an alternative.
Who Can Use the H-1B Cap-Exempt Visa?
Nonprofit hospital affiliated with a university
U.S. institution of higher education
Government research institution
Nonprofit research organization
The Role Must:
Require a BSN or BSN equivalent (ADN plus 6 years of progressive experience)
Involve specialized clinical skills (e.g., ICU, OR, Telemetry)
Meet H-1B “specialty occupation” standards
Is the H-1B Cap-Exempt Right for Your Facility?
Key benefits:
Skip the Lottery Line
File petitions year-round, no need to compete in the annual H-1B cap.
Speed Up Staffing
Onboard qualified nurses within months instead of waiting years.
Perfect for High-Skill Roles
Designed for ICU, OR, ED, Cath Lab, Telemetry, and other critical care specialties.
Bridge the Gap to a Green Card
Use this pathway while your international nurses wait for EB-3 approval.
Built-In Retention Booster
Tied-to-employer status supports long-term workforce stability. H-1B nurses commit to a 3-year, renewable contract.
What to Consider
Strict Eligibility Requirements
The employer and nurse must meet the specific requirements mentioned above.
Approval Isn’t Guaranteed
Even strong applications may be denied based on USCIS interpretation.
A Niche Talent Pool
Many international nurses don’t meet the required academic or role criteria.
Temporary, Not Permanent
The visa must be renewed every 1–3 years, up to a total of 6 years (extensions possible).
Why Partner with
Visa Solutions Healthcare?
Visa Solutions Healthcare (VSH) is your trusted, full-service partner for international nurse recruitment, delivering a seamless, end-to-end solution for all major visa pathways: EB-3, TN, and H-1B Cap Exempt. What sets us apart is how we support our partners. Healthcare leaders trust us to deliver top talent through a process that’s transparent, responsive, and built on integrity.
The VSH Guarantee
Our team builds a custom recruitment plan for your facility and handles every aspect of the journey, from sourcing highly skilled international RNs to credentialing, licensing, and visa processing to relocation and onboarding. If a nurse drops out, we’ll replace them at no extra cost. Plus, every nurse is trained for both clinical excellence and cultural readiness to ensure a smooth transition. Most importantly, we ensure total compliance with all state and visa regulations.
Explore the Right Visa Pathway for Your Facility
Get a clear breakdown of our most effective visa options—EB-3, TN, and H-1B Cap-Exempt with our easy-to-read, downloadable one-pagers.