The U.S. Department of State has introduced a significant policy change that will take effect November 1, 2025 and it could have a direct impact on how healthcare organizations recruit international nurses for Green Cards.
Under the new rule, the National Visa Center (NVC) will begin scheduling immigrant visa interviews only in an applicant’s country of residence. If requested, the interview can instead be arranged in the applicant’s country of nationality, but interviews will no longer be scheduled in alternative locations outside these two options.
What This Means for International Nurse Recruitment
For U.S. hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare providers facing ongoing nursing shortages, this policy shift adds a new layer to the recruitment and immigration process. Many foreign-educated nurses who previously selected interview locations in countries where processing times were faster may now need to adjust to local interview timelines which may vary greatly depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s capacity in their home country.
While the policy is not retroactive, the State Department has confirmed that existing immigrant visa appointments scheduled through the NVC will generally remain in place and will not be canceled or rescheduled because of this change. However, any new cases processed after November 1, 2025, must follow the updated interview location requirements.
Potential Challenges for Employers and Nurses
- Longer Wait Times in countries with limited U.S. visa processing resources.
- Added Travel and Logistics Issues if the nurse is currently working outside their home country.
- Impact on Processing Strategies that healthcare recruiters previously used to expedite nurse arrivals.
For employers relying on the EB-3 visa process for nurses, early planning will become even more important. Delays in interviews could slow down start dates, impacting staffing levels in critical care units and specialty departments.
How VisaMadeEZ Can Help Healthcare Organizations
At VisaMadeEZ, we specialize in helping U.S. healthcare organizations successfully sponsor and hire international nurses. With this new NVC policy coming into effect, our legal team will:
- Guide employers and nurses through updated immigrant visa interview scheduling rules.
- Advise on proactive recruitment timelines to minimize delays.
- Ensure all documentation is prepared well in advance to meet new location restrictions.
Our deep experience in nurse immigration law allows us to anticipate challenges and create tailored strategies so your healthcare facility can maintain safe staffing levels even in the face of changing U.S. immigration policies.
Time to Plan Ahead
If you're a hospital or healthcare employer intending to sponsor foreign-trained nurses for U.S. positions after November 1, 2025, we strongly recommend beginning the Green Card process as soon as possible. Doing so can help you secure interview dates under the current system or at least be well-prepared for the updated policy.
Contact VisaMadeEZ today to discuss how this change might affect your nurse recruitment plans and how we can help you navigate the transition seamlessly.
