From Mexico to your US nursing career
Mexican-trained nurses have several US visa options — TN (USMCA), EB-3 + Schedule A, H-1B, F-1 → OPT → EB-3, and EB-2 NIW. As USMCA citizens, Mexicans also qualify for the TN visa.
Available US visa pathways
The six US work visa pathways most relevant to internationally-trained nurses. Status reflects eligibility for nationals of Mexico, not certainty of approval.
| Pathway | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
EB-3 + Schedule A Permanent (green card) | Available | ~2yr wait. TN visa is also available under USMCA. |
TN (USMCA) Temporary, renewable | Available | Mexican RNs apply at US consulate first for TN visa stamp. |
H-1B1 (FTA) Temporary, Chile/Singapore only | Not applicable | Reserved for Chilean and Singaporean nationals only. |
H-1B Temporary, lottery-capped (cap-exempt employers exist) | Conditional | Requires BSN + specialty role; lottery-capped, but cap-exempt employers (universities, teaching hospitals, nonprofits) are not subject to the lottery. |
EB-2 NIW Permanent (green card), self-petition | Conditional | — |
F-1 → OPT → EB-3 Student → permanent path | Available | — |
Source: USCIS, DOL Schedule A, USMCA Annex 16-A. Last updated April 2026.
EB-3 priority date queue (May 2026)
If you file for an employment-based green card, the wait depends on your country of chargeability. Where each category stands today:
- Rest of World~2 years
- Mexico(yours)~2 years
- Philippines~3 years
- China~5 years
- India12+ years
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for May 2026 (travel.state.gov). Refreshed monthly.
The Mexico nurse diaspora in the US
Mexican-born nurses in the US benefit from geographic proximity and the TN visa pathway under USMCA. TN visas accounted for 10% of all CGFNS VisaScreen certificates in FY 2023, though this category saw a 7-percentage-point dip from 2022 (CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report). The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) is the primary professional network, with state chapters and a large scholarship program serving bilingual nurses.
Sources: CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report, HRSA NSSRN, NCSBN National Nursing Workforce Study, Migration Policy Institute.
NCLEX-RN testing centers in Mexico
Mexico has an NCLEX testing center operated by Pearson VUE:
- Mexico City
Source: Pearson VUE / NCSBN international NCLEX testing center list. Locations may change quarterly — verify on nclex.com before scheduling.
What you'll need to clear in Mexico
Cédula Profesional confirms your Mexican nursing credential. The TN process applies at a US consulate (different from Canada).