From the Philippines to your first US shift
More Filipino nurses work in the US than from any other country. Multiple visa pathways are available — including EB-3 + Schedule A, H-1B, F-1 → OPT → EB-3, and EB-2 NIW. Here's what each looks like.
Available US visa pathways
The six US work visa pathways most relevant to internationally-trained nurses. Status reflects eligibility for nationals of Philippines, not certainty of approval.
| Pathway | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
EB-3 + Schedule A Permanent (green card) | Available | ~3yr wait per May 2026 bulletin. |
TN (USMCA) Temporary, renewable | Not applicable | Philippines is not party to USMCA. |
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; general RN typically denied, but cap-exempt employers (universities, teaching hospitals, nonprofits) are not subject to the lottery. |
EB-2 NIW Permanent (green card), self-petition | Conditional | Best fit for DNP/PhD or advanced practice with documented national-interest impact. |
F-1 → OPT → EB-3 Student → permanent path | Available | Strong alternative for those who prefer US-based ABSN/MSN over waiting in queue. |
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~2 years
- Philippines(yours)~3 years
- China~5 years
- India12+ years
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for May 2026 (travel.state.gov). Refreshed monthly.
The Filipino nurse diaspora in the US
Filipino-trained RNs have been the dominant source of foreign-educated nurses in the US for over six decades. An estimated 141,000 Filipino nurses work in the US today — 28% of all immigrant registered nurses. California, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Nevada have the largest concentrations. The Philippines accounted for over 60% of all CGFNS VisaScreen applications in FY 2023 (CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report). The community is well-organized through the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) and dozens of regional chapters.
Sources: CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report, HRSA NSSRN, NCSBN National Nursing Workforce Study, Migration Policy Institute.
CGFNS & NCLEX-RN
The Philippines consistently leads global volume of CGFNS VisaScreen applicants — over 60% of the record 25,936 applications received in FY 2023 came from Philippine-educated nurses (CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report). In 2024, 28,258 Filipino nursing graduates took the NCLEX-RN for the first time. Annual NCLEX-RN volume from Philippine-trained candidates has remained the largest of any source country every year for the last decade.
Sources: CGFNS 2023 Nurse Migration Report (Bakhshi, Álvarez, Cook, Maiyer — CGFNS International, Inc.), NCSBN NCLEX examination statistics.
NCLEX-RN testing centers in Philippines
Philippines has NCLEX testing centers operated by Pearson VUE:
- Manila (Alabang/Muntinlupa)
- Cebu
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 the Philippines
Two government bodies regulate your departure: the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), which holds your nursing license, and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which replaced POEA in 2022 and oversees overseas employment.
- 1Active PRC RN license
Your Philippine RN license must be current and verifiable. Renew before initiating any US application.
- 2CGFNS credential evaluation
Submit transcripts and license to CGFNS for VisaScreen Certificate — required for occupational visa.
- 3NCLEX-RN passage
Schedule NCLEX-RN (now offered in Manila for some candidates). Pass rate for Philippine-educated first-timers is among the highest globally.
- 4Licensed DMW agency engagement
Sign a DMW-recognized recruitment-agency contract with your US employer or staffing partner. DMW will not issue an OEC without this.
- 5DMW Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
Required for departure. Issued after employment contract registration and pre-departure orientation.