Schedule A for Nurses & PTs: EB-3 Without PERM Recruitment?
Schedule A covers only registered nurses and physical therapists (Group I). Eligible cases skip PERM recruitment but still need licensure, VisaScreen, an I-140 and a visa number.
Short answer: On the Department of Labor's Schedule A list, Group I covers only professional (registered) nurses and physical therapists. For eligible cases the employer files the Schedule A application together with the I-140 directly with USCIS, so there is no PERM recruitment test. Licensure or credentials, the I-140 and priority-date rules still apply. Schedule A does not remove the visa backlog or every employer step.
How does Schedule A differ from standard PERM?
| Item | Schedule A (qualifying roles) | Standard EB-3 PERM |
|---|---|---|
| Labor market test | PERM recruitment not required | Compliant recruitment required |
| Filing | Employer posts notice at the workplace, then files with the I-140 directly at USCIS | PERM filed with DOL first, then I-140 |
| Wage | At least the prevailing wage | Same |
| Main gates | Licensure/credentials, VisaScreen, I-140 | PERM, then I-140 |
| Visa numbers | Still subject to EB-3 numbers and the Visa Bulletin | Same |
Which healthcare jobs are on Schedule A?
Under 20 CFR 656.5, Group I is professional nurses and physical therapists; Group II is aliens of exceptional ability in the sciences or arts. Physicians, pharmacists, occupational therapists, licensed practical nurses and nursing aides are generally not on Schedule A. The list may change, so check the current DOL page.
Caregivers and nursing aides are usually EB-3 Other Workers and need the full PERM process. In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the Other Workers final action date is 1 January 2022 for most countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; the November 2026 bulletin moves it to 1 June 2022. Nurses and physical therapists fall under the Professional/Skilled rows, which have their own dates (November 2026 final action date: 15 June 2024 for most countries, mainland China 22 January 2022, India 22 January 2014, Philippines 15 August 2023). Check the current bulletin and do not use the Other Workers date for them.
What do nurses and PTs still need?
- VisaScreen: foreign-trained nurses and physical therapists generally need a CGFNS VisaScreen certificate (or an equivalent) before the visa or adjustment.
- Licensure and exams: depending on the state, the NCLEX (nurses) or the physical therapy exam. NCLEX is offered at some international test centers; confirm Taiwan or Hong Kong availability with Pearson VUE. States differ on foreign-educated applicants.
- Credential evaluation: as required by the state board and CGFNS.
- A permanent, full-time job offer: the employer must pay all labor certification costs; they cannot be passed to you.
- English proficiency: as required by the state and employer.
Schedule A saves the recruitment test, not the qualifications, licence or wait. Licensing and VisaScreen often take longer than the immigration forms, so plan them in parallel.
See also: EB-3 professional, skilled and other workers, why EB-3 cases are delayed or refused, EB-3 jobs and the process.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
Questions? admin@usa-eb3.com, WhatsApp +852 6888 4742, LINE oscar_gi.
Frequently asked questions
Do registered nurses really skip PERM entirely?
They skip the PERM recruitment test. The employer still posts notice, offers at least the prevailing wage and files the I-140 through its attorney of record.
Can nursing aides or caregivers use Schedule A?
Generally no. They are usually Other Workers and need the full PERM process.
Does Schedule A mean no waiting?
No. You still wait for your priority date to be current in the Visa Bulletin.
Must a Taiwan- or Hong Kong-trained nurse pass the NCLEX first?
It depends on the state and the process, and VisaScreen is usually required. Ask the state board and an immigration attorney early.
Can I be charged for the labor certification?
No. The employer must pay all labor certification and PERM costs by law (20 CFR 656.12).
Official sources
General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules and the Visa Bulletin change; check the official sources above before you decide. Petitions are prepared and filed by the sponsoring employer’s licensed U.S. immigration attorney.