A new bipartisan bill in Congress could dramatically lower the cost of hiring foreign healthcare professionals on H‑1B visas especially international nurses and physicians by carving out a specific exemption from the Trump-era $100,000 H‑1B filing fee.
Introduced on March 17, 2026, by Representatives Mike Lawyer (R‑NY), Sanford Bishop Jr. (D‑GA), Yvette Clarke (D‑NY), and Maria Elvira Salazar (R‑FL), the proposed legislation currently titled the “H‑1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act” would remove the $100,000 H‑1B filing fee for qualifying healthcare employers and workers.
For hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and healthcare staffing companies that rely on international talent, this bill could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of sponsoring H‑1B healthcare workers.
What the H‑1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act Would Do
Under the proposed legislation, the $100,000 H‑1B filing fee would not apply to H‑1B petitions for workers employed in the healthcare sector. This is a targeted exemption aimed at preserving and strengthening the U.S. healthcare workforce.
The exemption would extend to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:
- Physicians and medical residents
- Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses
- Dentists
- Certified nurse midwives
- Psychologists
- Ambulance and emergency medical personnel
- Public health professionals as defined under the Affordable Care Act
For healthcare organizations that routinely sponsor H‑1B visas for nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, eliminating the $100,000 surcharge would remove a major financial barrier and make international recruitment far more feasible.
Why Major Medical Groups Are Backing the Bill
Leading medical organizations have already voiced strong support for the measure. Both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA), among others, have publicly endorsed the legislation.
AMA’s Position: Lower Costs, Better Access to Care
In a recent statement, the AMA emphasized that the $100,000 H‑1B filing fee:
- Significantly raises the cost of hiring international physicians and other healthcare workers
- Exacerbates existing physician shortages, particularly in underserved and rural areas
- Leads to longer patient wait times and reduced access to care
By exempting healthcare workers from the fee, the AMA believes the bill supports its broader mission: building and maintaining a strong, stable healthcare workforce that can meet the needs of patients across the country.
AHA’s Perspective: Protecting Patient Access and Staffing Levels
The American Hospital Association has taken a similar stance. AHA Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes has noted that the bill would help:
- Maintain patient access to care, especially in shortage areas
- Support hospitals and health systems that depend on international medical staff
- Stabilize staffing in critical departments and high-demand specialties
In other words, the AHA views this H‑1B fee exemption as not just an immigration policy change, but as a healthcare access and patient safety measure.
What This Means for Healthcare Employers
For hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other healthcare employers, the proposed exemption could be a turning point in international healthcare recruitment.
If enacted, this law could:
- Lower the cost of H‑1B sponsorship for healthcare workers by removing the $100,000 fee
- Make it more financially viable to hire international nurses and physicians
- Encourage more facilities especially in rural and medically underserved regions to invest in long‑term international staffing strategies
- Help address chronic shortages in critical care, primary care, behavioral health, and long-term care settings
Organizations that have hesitated to use the H‑1B category due to high filing costs may find that H‑1B visas become a far more attractive option for staffing their nursing and clinical needs.
The Impact on International Nurses and Other Foreign Healthcare Workers
For international nurses and other foreign-trained healthcare professionals, this legislation could open new doors.
While nurses are often sponsored through immigrant visas or other employment-based categories, some employers use the H‑1B visa for nurses in specialized roles or advanced practice positions. If the $100,000 filing fee is eliminated for healthcare employers:
- More U.S. hospitals and healthcare systems may consider the H‑1B route for qualifying nursing positions
- International nurses in specialized areas (such as critical care, perioperative, or advanced practice roles) may see expanded opportunities
- Overall demand for foreign healthcare workers could increase, as sponsorship becomes more affordable for employers
The bill also benefits other essential healthcare professionals such as doctors, dentists, psychologists, and public health specialists many of whom already rely heavily on the H‑1B category.
How VisaMadeEZ Supports Healthcare Organizations in Hiring International Nurses
At VisaMadeEZ, we focus on helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses and other foreign healthcare professionals through tailored immigration strategies. While this bill has not yet been enacted, it is crucial for employers to:
- Stay informed about legislative changes that affect H‑1B visas for healthcare workers
- Re‑evaluate long‑term nurse recruitment and staffing plans in light of potential cost reductions
- Work with experienced immigration counsel for healthcare employers to maximize available visa options
Our firm assists:
- Hospitals and health systems seeking to sponsor international nurses and other clinical staff
- Long‑term care and rehabilitation facilities that rely on foreign-educated nurses
- Healthcare staffing agencies that place international healthcare workers across the U.S.
We guide clients through every step of the process from determining eligibility and selecting the right visa category, to preparing petitions and managing compliance.
Looking Ahead
The H‑1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act is still a bill, not yet law. However, the strong support from key industry groups like the AMA and AHA signals a clear recognition in Washington: the U.S. healthcare system depends on international talent, and policies that make it harder to hire foreign healthcare workers ultimately hurt patients.
If this exemption becomes law, it will:
- Remove a substantial financial obstacle to sponsoring H‑1B healthcare workers
- Strengthen the ability of U.S. healthcare organizations to recruit and retain international nurses and physicians
- Support broader efforts to combat healthcare workforce shortages nationwide
If your organization is considering hiring international nurses or other foreign healthcare professionals, or if you want to understand how potential changes to the H‑1B filing fee could affect your staffing strategy, VisaMadeEZ can help.
Contact us to discuss:
- H‑1B options for healthcare workers
- Visa pathways for international nurses
- Long-term immigration planning for healthcare organizations
Together, we can build a compliant, sustainable, and globally competitive healthcare workforce.
