At VisaMadeEZ, we understand the complexities healthcare organizations face when hiring international nurses in the United States. Keeping pace with evolving immigration guidelines is crucial for staffing success. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released important updates regarding the 2025 prevailing wage rates for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications, directly impacting healthcare providers seeking to recruit global nursing talent.
What Are Prevailing Wage Determinations and Why Are They Crucial for Nurse Immigration?
Prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) are the wages set by the DOL that employers must offer when sponsoring foreign healthcare professionals such as registered nurses through the PERM labor certification process. These wage levels are established to ensure that international nurse hires do not adversely affect wages for domestic employees in comparable positions. Correct prevailing wage compliance is essential not just for legal adherence, but for timely and efficient green card processing for international nurses.
DOL's July 2025 Wage Updates: Key Takeaways for Healthcare Employers
Each July, the DOL reviews and updates prevailing wage data. On July 1, 2025, the DOL released new wage figures that will apply to all prevailing wage requests submitted from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. If you are a healthcare facility or hospital planning to file PERM applications or recruit international nurses, it’s essential to consult this updated wage data to ensure compliance.
Key points to consider:
Refresh Needed: All nurse immigration cases (including green card sponsorships) utilizing PERM must now incorporate the July 2025 wage figures.
Higher Wages Expected: In many areas, the prevailing wages for registered nurses and other healthcare positions have increased compared to previous years.
No “Grandfathering”: If you file a new PWD after July 1, 2025 even for older recruitment the new wage rates apply. Only pre-July 1 PWD requests qualify for last year’s rates.
How Could These Changes Affect International Nurse Recruitment?
Rising prevailing wage levels may affect budgeting and salary planning for American hospitals and healthcare organizations eager to address the ongoing nursing shortage through international recruitment. Failing to pay the latest prevailing wage can result in application delays, denials, or immigration compliance issues.
To avoid disruptions in the nurse immigration process, VisaMadeEZ recommends:
1. Early Planning: Factor potential wage increases into your international nursing recruitment budgets.
2. Timely Submissions: Consider the timing of PERM applications and prevailing wage determination requests so that you can take advantage of favorable wage rates when possible.
3. Professional Guidance: Partner with a healthcare immigration law firm like VisaMadeEZ to interpret complex wage tables, file compliant applications, and navigate the ever-changing U.S. immigration landscape.
Your Partner in Nurse Immigration and Staffing Excellence
VisaMadeEZ is dedicated to supporting healthcare organizations with every step of the immigration process. Our experience in helping hospitals hire international nurses allows clients to maintain workforce stability and deliver high-quality patient care. If you have questions about the new 2025 DOL wage updates or need guidance on nurse green card applications, our team of nurse immigration attorneys is here to provide expert support.
Contact us today to ensure you’re making informed decisions as you build your healthcare team with talented international nurses.
For up-to-date advice and tailored solutions, trust VisaMadeEZ the experts in healthcare immigration and international nurse hiring.
