{"id":771,"date":"2023-09-21T00:06:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T00:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visamadeez.com\/?p=771"},"modified":"2023-09-21T00:06:11","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T00:06:11","slug":"h-1b-visa-guide-nurses-hospitals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/h-1b-visa-guide-nurses-hospitals\/","title":{"rendered":"H-1B Visa Program for Nurses &#038; Facilities\/Hospitals: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"VisaMadeEZ - Explainer Webcast\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t1SIuZyfQlY?start=320&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>Webinar related to this article for those who prefer video version<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we will delve into the H-1B visa program and its significance in the recruitment of foreign nurses. We will also explore the concept of the H-1B RN position as a specialty occupation and how hospitals can establish the qualifications required for this visa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of why the H-1B visa can be a viable option for addressing your hospital&#8217;s staffing needs and how to navigate the specialty occupation criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Changing Times Demand New Visa Strategies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For years, the EB-3 Green Card Visa served as the primary avenue for bringing nurses to the United States. This visa was reliable and efficient, particularly for meeting the demands of the healthcare industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nurses could often land on U.S. shores within 12 to 15 months, a relatively quick timeline. However, in April, the EB-3 Visa faced a roadblock due to retrogression, with backlogs that could extend into 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This situation necessitates exploring alternatives, one of which is the H-1B visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Advantages of the H-1B Visa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The H-1B visa offers two significant advantages over the EB-3 Green Card Visa. Firstly, it significantly reduces processing times compared to the green card. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondly, hospitals and staffing companies that meet specific criteria can bypass the H-1B cap, enabling them to recruit RNs throughout the year without being bound by the annual 85,000 visa cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Understanding the H-1B Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The H-1B process boasts a streamlined timeline. Typically, after filing a case, approval is received in about 15 days, especially for those familiar with the I-140 premium process. This turnaround time aligns with approvals in the EB-3 process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, what sets the H-1B process apart is its ability to skip the National Visa Center (NBC) phase, proceeding directly to the consulate interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This streamlined process reduces the waiting time significantly, making the H-1B a more attractive option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Criteria for Acquiring an RN H-1B Visa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To secure an RN H-1B visa, certain criteria must be met. Firstly, the RN must hold a bachelor&#8217;s degree in nursing (BSN) or its equivalent. This typically involves providing a copy of their diploma, which is verified by a U.S. agency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the RN must possess a valid license in the state where they intend to work. The healthcare worker certificate, also known as a visa screen, is another crucial requirement, confirming the healthcare worker&#8217;s qualifications in education, licensure, and English proficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Specialty Occupation Requirement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The H-1B RN role falls under the category of specialty occupations. This means that the job requires at least a bachelor&#8217;s degree or an equivalent qualification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The U.S. Department of Labor publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), which outlines the educational and professional qualifications necessary for various job roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent updates to the OOH now recognize three primary educational pathways for RNs, including a bachelor&#8217;s degree. This shift acknowledges the evolving standards in the healthcare industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Direct Placement vs. Staffing Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are distinctions between the direct placement and staffing company models for H-1B RN recruitment. In the direct placement model, it is essential to establish the department&#8217;s existence before recruiting H-1B employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This demonstrates that hiring H-1B nurses is not an attempt to circumvent regulations and that they genuinely offer a superior level of service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, staffing companies can leverage a client&#8217;s cap-exempt status but still require evidence to support the specialty occupation requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As this pathway gains prominence, several questions frequently arise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are answers to some common queries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do only specialty nurses qualify for an H-1B visa? <\/strong>While some nursing roles inherently require advanced degrees, for others, it falls on the employer, with legal counsel&#8217;s assistance, to demonstrate the need for a bachelor&#8217;s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is the H-1B visa affected by retrogression?<\/strong> No, the H-1B visa itself is not affected by retrogression, but there is an annual cap for these visas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How long can an RN work on an H-1B? <\/strong>The standard allocation is for three years, with a maximum of six years, extendable under certain conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can you process EB-3 Green Cards simultaneously with an H-1B?<\/strong> Yes, both processes can be pursued concurrently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can you hire nurses from any part of the globe via the H-1B visa? <\/strong>The H-1B visa is not restricted by the nurse&#8217;s country of origin, making it a valuable tool for global recruitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can an RN&#8217;s family accompany them to the U.S.? <\/strong>Dependents, such as spouses and unmarried children under 21, can accompany the RN on H-4 visas, with the option for spouses to obtain work authorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">*****<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These insights should provide a clearer understanding of the H-1B visa program&#8217;s potential benefits for hiring foreign nurses and the steps involved in securing this visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Jasbir Dhani<br>Attorney-at-Law<br>VisaMadeEZ, Inc. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this article, we will delve into the H-1B visa program and its significance in the recruitment of foreign nurses. We will also explore the concept of the H-1B RN position as a specialty occupation and how hospitals can establish the qualifications required for this visa. By the end of this article, you will have&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":792,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"tpl-full-width.php","format":"standard","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=771"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":793,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/771\/revisions\/793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/old.visamadeez.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}