Nashville is the hub of many managed health care companies in the United States. Rose Immigration Law firm works extensively with health care companies and providers in the southeast United States.
Certification for Health Care Workers: In addition to the requisite state licensing, health care workers, such as nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and medical technologists, must possess special immigration certification known as “VisaScreen.”
H-1B and TN Status: Physical therapists, occupational therapists, health technicians, and other similar workers can qualify for H-1B visas. If the health care worker is from Canada or Mexico, he or she might qualify for TN status.
Registered Nurses: Temporary visa options for registered nurses are limited. Registered nurses from Canada or Mexico can qualify for TN status under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Registered nurses who will work in federally-designated medically underserved areas can qualify for H-1C status.
Permanent Residence: The good news for registered nurses and physical therapists is that they are considered “pre-certified” so that the labor certification recruitment procedures are waived under a special regulation referred to as “Schedule A.” There is also good news for physicians who will work in federally-designated medically underserved areas or V.A. hospitals. Such physicians might qualify for a “national interest waiver” whereby the physician can self-petition for a permanent residence classification without first obtaining labor certification.