Nursing jobs in the USA from the Philippines
The complete pathway for PRC-registered Filipino BSN graduates to register and work as RNs in the United States via the EB-3 Schedule A green card. Unaffected by the $100,000 H-1B fee.
Key facts — Philippines to USA
- • EB-3 Schedule A green card — permanent U.S. residency
- • Not affected by the $100K H-1B fee (different visa category)
- • Most Filipino BSN graduates qualify for the English-language waiver
- • Zero placement fees — U.S. hospital pays GNF, not you
- • Direct-hire roles in Texas, California, Florida, New York, Nevada, more
Step by step
From Manila to your first U.S. shift
- 1
Free credential review
PRC license + BSN transcripts reviewed against your target U.S. state Board of Nursing.
- 2
NCLEX-RN preparation
Structured prep programme by Global Nurse Force, typically 3-6 months for Filipino BSN graduates.
- 3
NCLEX-RN exam
Sit at Pearson VUE centres in the Philippines (Manila, Cebu) or travel to the U.S. for the test.
- 4
CGFNS / VisaScreen + PRC verification
CGFNS contacts the PRC directly to verify your license. English-language waiver assessment for CHED-accredited BSN graduates.
- 5
U.S. hospital interview
Specialty-matched interviews via Zoom. Hospitals retain hiring authority.
- 6
Form I-140 (EB-3 Schedule A)
Hospital sponsor files I-140 with USCIS marked Schedule A — no PERM labor certification required.
- 7
Priority date wait
Philippines-born applicants face less retrogression than India-born; some wait still applies per the monthly Visa Bulletin.
- 8
Consular interview at U.S. Embassy Manila
When current, attend immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Complete panel-physician medical.
- 9
Travel + green card
Enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. GNF coordinates relocation logistics.
- 10
First shift + 90-day support
Begin your U.S. role. Post-arrival support: SSN, state license endorsement, banking, onboarding.
Frequently asked
Filipino nurses ask us
- I am a PRC-registered Filipino nurse — am I eligible to work in the USA?
- Yes, generally. Filipino BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) graduates registered with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) are well-recognized by U.S. State Boards of Nursing and by CGFNS. The pathway is the same as for other internationally educated nurses: pass NCLEX-RN, obtain CGFNS / VisaScreen, secure a U.S. hospital sponsor, and apply for EB-3 Schedule A.
- Do Filipino nurses need to take OET or IELTS?
- Often no. Filipino BSN graduates from CHED-accredited programs where instruction was in English typically qualify for the CGFNS English-language waiver. Global Nurse Force confirms eligibility during the free credential review. If a waiver isn't available, OET is the most common exam Filipino candidates take (healthcare-focused content).
- Does the $100,000 H-1B fee affect Filipino nurses?
- Not on the EB-3 Schedule A pathway, which is what we use for Filipino nurses. EB-3 Schedule A is an immigrant visa (green card) and is not subject to the $100,000 supplemental fee that applies to new H-1B petitions. Global Nurse Force is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the H-1B fee (Global Nurse Force v. Trump, 4:25-cv-08454, N.D. Cal.).
- What is the realistic timeline for a Filipino nurse to reach the USA?
- Typically 12-24 months from initial enrollment to first U.S. shift. Filipino-born applicants face less retrogression than India-born applicants on the EB-3 priority date system, though some retrogression still applies depending on the year. NCLEX preparation (3-9 months) and CGFNS processing (6-12 months) are the largest fixed time sinks.
- What does it cost?
- Zero placement fees to Global Nurse Force. The hiring U.S. hospital pays our recruitment costs in compliance with the WHO Code of Practice. Filipino nurses pay only government-mandated fees: NCLEX exam ($200), CGFNS ($540-770), state license application ($75-300), immigrant visa fees (~$345), panel-physician medical exam ($250-500), and travel. Total candidate-side cost: approximately USD $2,500-4,500.
- Where do Filipino nurses commonly land in the USA?
- Filipino nurses are placed by Global Nurse Force across many U.S. states. Texas, California, Florida, New York, Nevada, and Illinois are common destinations. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) gives multi-state license portability across 40+ states once you hold an active compact license. Hospitals in the U.S. Pacific time zone often value Filipino nurses for the cultural and linguistic strengths.
- How does PRC verification work?
- CGFNS contacts the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission directly to verify your PRC nursing license. Allow 6-8 weeks for verification. Make sure your PRC license is current (with active CPD compliance) at the time of CGFNS verification.
- I already work in the Middle East / UK — can I still apply?
- Yes. Many Filipino nurses come to the U.S. via Global Nurse Force from prior assignments in the GCC, UK, Ireland, or Australia. Your additional clinical experience strengthens your hospital matching. We work with your current employer's notice period and visa-exit obligations.
Start your journey from the Philippines to the USA
Free credential review by Global Nurse Force. No fees to apply. No commitment to engage.