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2026 guide

Nurses to the United States: EB-3 Schedule A, NCLEX and CGFNS

Registered nurses are on the Department of Labor Schedule A list, which skips the PERM recruitment test. They still need a sponsoring employer and to show they passed the NCLEX, hold a full and unrestricted license in the state of employment, or hold a CGFNS certificate (20 CFR 656.15).

  • Official sources
  • Last verified Oct 22, 2026
  • Independent site, not a government agency
A registered nurse holds hands and laughs with an elderly patient in a bright hospital room

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By Luis Fernando Garcia. Official sources verified Oct 22, 2026.

Key requirements

  • A permanent, full time job offer from a U.S. employer.
  • Passed NCLEX-RN, a full and unrestricted license in the state of employment, or a CGFNS certificate.
  • A VisaScreen certificate for the visa (issued by CGFNS/ICHP).
  • Enough English for licensing and VisaScreen.

Visa Bulletin dates, October 2026 (EB-3 Professionals)

CountryFinal actionDates for filing
Rest of world and MexicoMay 15, 2024Aug 1, 2024
PhilippinesAug 15, 2023Jan 1, 2024

Verified October 22, 2026. If you are not a registered nurse, see the EB-3 visa for caregivers and how to avoid fraud.

Frequently asked questions

Do nurses need PERM?

Not with the same labor market test. Registered nurses are on Schedule A (20 CFR 656.5), so the employer files Form ETA-9089 directly with USCIS together with the I-140 petition. They still need a sponsoring employer.

How long is the wait?

In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin the EB-3 Professionals final action date is May 15, 2024 for Mexico and the rest of the world and August 15, 2023 for the Philippines.

Sources

  1. 20 CFR 656.15: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-V/part-656/subpart-C/section-656.15Official
  2. 20 CFR 656.5 (Schedule A): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-V/part-656/subpart-A/section-656.5Official
  3. USCIS, EB-3: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-third-preference-eb-3Official
  4. Visa Bulletin, October 2026: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2027/visa-bulletin-for-october-2026.htmlOfficial
  5. NCSBN, NCLEX: https://www.ncsbn.org/exams.pageNon-official
  6. CGFNS International: https://www.cgfns.org/Non-official

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