Healthcare & Medical

The U.S. healthcare system continues to face nationwide staffing shortages, creating strong immigration opportunities for foreign-trained healthcare workers. Musillo Unkenholt represents hospitals, health systems, staffing companies, and individual healthcare professionals across a wide range of occupations.

Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visa Options

H-1B Specialty Occupations
The H-1B category is available for roles that meet the “specialty occupation” standard, where the position normally requires at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a specific field.

TN Visa
TN visas are available to Mexican and Canadian nationals, and have a specified list of occupations that qualify, including (but not limited to) Dentists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Physicians (for teaching positions only), and Registered Nurses.

Common Healthcare H-1B Positions

Medical Technologists / Medical Laboratory Scientists
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Physicians/Doctors
Dentists
Pharmacists
Registered Nurses – Certain positions may qualify when the role requires a bachelor’s degree, involves specialized practice areas, or is structured at a professional level consistent with H‑1B standards.

Other Temporary Visa Classifications

Depending on nationality, expertise, and job duties, additional temporary options may include:

E-3 – for Australian nationals in specialty occupations.
H-1B1 – for nationals of Singapore and Chile in specialty occupations
J-1 – for individuals coming to the U.S. to participate in an approved educational or cultural exchange program—such as researchers, trainees, students, and physicians.
O-1 Individuals of Extraordinary Ability – for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in science or medicine.

Permanent Residency (Green Card) Options

Healthcare professionals may qualify for employment-based permanent residence through several pathways:

Schedule A, Group I – Registered Nurses and Physical Therapists benefit from a streamlined process that does not require PERM labor certification.
EB-2 / EB-3 (PERM) – other healthcare roles may pursue traditional employment-based sponsorship depending on degree requirements and experience.
EB-2 National Interest Waivers (NIWs) – some healthcare professionals may qualify for permanent residence without an employer sponsored PERM process if they can show that their work has substantial merit, is beneficial to the United States, and that waiving the standard labor certification process is in the national interest.