Managing Attorney
Registered nurses and physical therapists may qualify for a streamlined employment-based green card process through Schedule A. Because the U.S. Department of Labor has already identified these occupations as having an insufficient supply of qualified U.S. workers, employers can bypass the traditional PERM labor certification process and file the immigrant petition directly with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Schedule A can eliminate a significant step in employer-sponsored immigration, but it does not guarantee immediate permanent residence. Licensing requirements, visa availability, and other immigration requirements still affect the process.
What Is Schedule A for Nurses and Physical Therapists?
Schedule A is a Department of Labor designation for certain occupations where the federal government has determined there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified and available. Professional nurses and physical therapists are included in Schedule A Group I.
Most employers pursuing an employment-based green card through the EB-3 category must first complete the PERM labor certification process. That generally involves testing the U.S. labor market before moving to the immigrant petition.
Schedule A changes that sequence. The employer does not have to complete the standard PERM recruitment process or wait for the Department of Labor to certify Form ETA-9089. Instead, the Schedule A application is submitted directly to USCIS as part of the Form I-140 petition.
Who Qualifies for a Schedule A Green Card?
Schedule A Group I covers professional nurses and physical therapists, but working in one of these fields does not automatically establish eligibility.
For a professional nurse, the employer generally must provide evidence that the worker:
- Has a CGFNS certificate;
- Holds a permanent, full and unrestricted nursing license in the state of intended employment; or
- Has passed the NCLEX-RN examination.
Physical therapists generally must have a permanent state license or documentation from the appropriate licensing authority showing that they meet the requirements to take the licensing examination in the state where they will work.
Do Nurses and Physical Therapists Need a Health Care Worker Certification?
Yes. Schedule A eligibility is separate from the federal health care worker certification requirement. Under INA § 212(a)(5)(C), foreign nurses and physical therapists generally must obtain certification from an approved credentialing organization before an immigrant visa can be issued or adjustment of status can be approved.
For nurses, this commonly involves a VisaScreen certificate from CGFNS International. Because this requirement comes into play later in the green card process, workers should address it early rather than waiting until the I-140 petition is approved.
How Does the Schedule A Green Card Process Work?
Although Schedule A removes traditional PERM certification from the process, the employer still has several responsibilities.
The employer must obtain a prevailing wage determination for the position and satisfy the applicable notice requirements. The filing generally includes Form I-140, an uncertified Form ETA-9089, and supporting documentation establishing the worker’s qualifications for the Schedule A occupation.
Once USCIS approves the I-140, the worker can proceed toward permanent residence when an immigrant visa is available. Someone already in the United States may be able to apply for adjustment of status, while a worker abroad generally completes immigrant visa processing through a U.S. consulate.
Does Schedule A Mean You Can Get a Green Card Faster?
Schedule A can make the process faster because it eliminates the standard PERM labor certification stage. That can remove a substantial source of processing time from an employment-based case.
However, Schedule A does not provide a separate supply of immigrant visas. Nurses and physical therapists sponsored through this route generally remain subject to EB-3 visa limits and the Department of State’s monthly Visa Bulletin.
As of August 2026, the EB-3 category has cutoff dates for final action, including different dates for workers chargeable to China, India, and the Philippines. Visa Bulletin dates can advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress, so the time between an approved petition and permanent residence can vary considerably.
Can a Texas Employer Sponsor a Foreign Nurse or Physical Therapist?
Yes. Hospitals, health care systems, rehabilitation facilities and other qualifying Texas employers may sponsor eligible foreign nurses and physical therapists through Schedule A.
The employer and worker must still satisfy the requirements for the underlying employment-based immigrant category. A filing error involving the offered position, prevailing wage, licensing documentation, or worker’s qualifications can delay the case despite the streamlined Schedule A process.
Put the Schedule A Advantage to Work
Schedule A gives qualifying nurses and physical therapists a more direct route through the employment-based green card process, but getting the details right still matters. At Zepeda Law Firm, we help Texas employers and health care professionals evaluate eligibility, prepare Schedule A filings, and address issues that may arise along the way.
Contact Zepeda Law Firm to discuss your Schedule A green card options and the next steps in your employment-based immigration case.