This article is part of our guide: Nursing in the United States.
The EB-3 visa is the most common way for internationally educated nurses to move to the United States. It is an immigrant visa, so you arrive as a permanent resident with a green card, and your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can come with you.
The process is slow because the number of EB-3 visas is capped each year and no country can take more than 7% of them. Here is each stage, in order, with realistic time frames.
November 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 dates for nurses
| Country of birth | Final action date | Date for filing |
|---|---|---|
| All other countries | 15 June 2024 | 1 August 2024 |
| Philippines | 15 August 2023 | 1 January 2024 |
| Mexico | 15 June 2024 | 1 August 2024 |
| China (mainland born) | 22 January 2022 | 1 April 2024 |
| India | 22 January 2014 | 15 January 2015 |
What this means: if your employer filed your petition before the final action date for your country, a visa can be issued now. If not, you wait. The State Department publishes a new bulletin every month, and dates can move forward, stand still or move back.
The EB-3 stages and how long each takes
| Stage | Who does it | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Licence and NCLEX-RN | You | 6–18 months |
| 2. VisaScreen certificate | You | About 1–3 months after documents are complete |
| 3. Job offer from a US employer | You and the employer | Varies |
| 4. Prevailing wage determination | Employer, with the Department of Labor | Several months |
| 5. I-140 immigrant petition (Schedule A) | Employer, with USCIS | Several months; 15 business days with premium processing |
| 6. Wait for your priority date to become current | — | Depends on country; currently about 2–3 years for most countries |
| 7. National Visa Center: fees, DS-260 form and documents | You | 2–6 months |
| 8. Medical exam and interview at the US embassy | You | Weeks to months after the case is documentarily complete |
| 9. Enter the US and receive your green card | You | Card is mailed after arrival |
Why nurses skip the labour market test
Registered nurses are on the Department of Labor’s Schedule A list. That means the employer does not need to advertise the job and prove that no US worker is available, a step that can take more than a year for other occupations. The employer files the I-140 petition directly with an uncertified labour form.
Your priority date is the key number
Your priority date is the date USCIS receives the I-140 petition. The earlier the petition is filed, the earlier your place in the queue. That is why some employers file as soon as you have passed the NCLEX, even before you have your VisaScreen certificate.
Total timeline: what to expect
- Most countries: roughly 2.5 to 4 years from the I-140 filing to arrival, on current bulletin dates.
- Philippines: a slightly longer wait than most countries.
- India: the EB-3 queue is more than a decade behind, so many Indian nurses look at the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia or the Gulf first.
Restrictions to check before you start
A presidential proclamation in force since 1 January 2026 restricts immigrant visas for nationals of around 40 countries, fully or partly. If your country is on that list, an EB-3 immigrant visa may not be issued abroad even when your priority date is current, unless an exception applies. The earlier pause on immigrant visas for 75 countries ended on 21 August 2026 after a court order. Check the US State Department’s current guidance for your nationality before paying for anything.
Who pays?
The employer pays the I-140 filing fees and its own legal costs. You usually pay for your NCLEX, English test, VisaScreen, immigrant visa fees, medical exam and travel, although some employers reimburse part of these. Many contracts include a commitment of two to three years with a repayment clause if you leave early. Read how to check a nursing contract abroad before you sign.
Tips to avoid delays
- Start credentials evaluation early, because missing clinical hours in one specialty is the most common cause of delay.
- Keep your passport valid and your police certificates ready.
- Answer National Visa Center requests quickly and upload clear copies.
- Keep your nursing licence at home active while you wait.
- Follow the Visa Bulletin each month for your country of birth.
Next: How to become a nurse in the USA from abroad · All our US nursing guides
Sources: US Department of State Visa Bulletin for November 2026; USCIS guidance on Schedule A and Form I-140; US Department of Labor Schedule A; presidential proclamation effective 1 January 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Speak to a licensed immigration attorney about your case.
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