How do foreign nurses get a US green card through Schedule A?
Checked against official sources, October 2026
Professional nurses are a Schedule A, Group I occupation, so a US employer can file an uncertified labor certification together with Form I-140 directly with USCIS rather than first getting a certified one from the Department of Labor. The petition must include CGFNS certification, a full and unrestricted licence in the state of employment, or proof of passing the NCLEX-RN.
Who this is for
Registered nurses with, or seeking, a US employer sponsor for permanent residence.
What the official guidance says
- For immigrant petitions, the employer generally files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on behalf of the worker.
- Employers hiring professional nurses or physical therapists apply for Schedule A, Group I certification by filing an uncertified labor certification and the visa petition directly with USCIS.
- For nurses, the employer must include CGFNS certification, a full and unrestricted (permanent) licence to practise nursing in the state of intended employment, or passage of the NCLEX-RN.
- Schedule A applications also need other evidence, such as a prevailing wage determination covering the position.
- When adjusting status or seeking admission, nurses must also present a valid health care worker certificate (such as VisaScreen) or the alternative certified statement.
What it does not mean
- Schedule A does not remove the need for an employer; the employer files the petition.
- It does not replace state licensure or the health care worker certificate.
- An approved petition is not yet a green card; you still adjust status or go through consular processing.
What to do next
- 01Plan state licensure and the NCLEX-RN.
- 02Find an employer willing to sponsor you for permanent residence.
- 03Your employer files the Schedule A labor certification and Form I-140 with USCIS.
- 04Obtain your health care worker certificate for the adjustment or visa stage.
Questions
Do I need to pass NCLEX before my employer files?
USCIS says the petition must include one of: CGFNS certification, a full and unrestricted licence in the state of employment, or passage of the NCLEX-RN.
Is Schedule A only for nurses?
USCIS mentions professional nurses and physical therapists in Schedule A, Group I.
Official sources
Checked October 2026. Immigration rules, fees and thresholds change, so confirm them on the official page before you act.
Plan the whole route, not just the visa
Migo’s US nursing plan sequences the parts you control (credentials evaluation, the state board, NCLEX, VisaScreen) and points you to USCIS to verify the current immigration rules. It never promises an employer or a petition outcome.
Related guides
General information, not legal or immigration advice. For advice on your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or lawyer.