A realistic guide for certified caregivers on securing senior care jobs in the U.S., detailing the visa pathways that are most feasible for the 2025/2026 period.

What visas really work (and which don’t)

Also Read: Top 20 Jobs VISA Sponsorship 2025/2026 – USA

Most common, realistic paths

• EB-3 (Employment-Based Green Card, “Other Workers”)
  Some nursing homes/home-care agencies sponsor aides through the EB-3 route. It requires PERM labor certification and an employer willing to sponsor; timelines are multi-year and backlogs vary. Still, it’s the most straightforward long-term pathway many agencies use for care aides. 
  Tip: You’ll see agencies and law firms advertising EB-3 caregiver sponsorships and processing-time expectations (often ~3–4 years). Vet them carefully.

• H-2B (Temporary, non-agricultural)
  Possible only if the job is truly seasonal or peak-load (many elder-care facilities are year-round, so they don’t qualify). Some employers do post “caregiver H-2B” roles, but these are the exception—confirm that the employer has an approved H-2B slot for that season.

Usually NOT viable for caregivers

• H-1B (Specialty Occupation) — requires a bachelor’s-level “specialty occupation”; caregiver/aide roles don’t qualify.

• TN (USMCA) — only for specific listed professions (e.g., RNs, OT/PT, engineers). “Caregiver/aide” is not on the TN list.

Also Read: Top Job Opportunities in the Germany with Visa Sponsorship

Pay & demand snapshot (to set expectations)

• Home health & personal care aides: U.S. median $34,900 (May 2024), with 17% growth projected 2024–2034 (much faster than average).

• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): U.S. median ~$39,500 (May 2024). Higher rates in some states/unionized facilities.

Best way to position yourself

1. Hold a U.S.-recognized credential
   Your “Certified Caregiver” abroad is a great start—add U.S.-recognized CNA or HHA credentials where possible (many sponsors prefer/require them). Some roles also ask for CPR/First Aid, TB/health screens, and clean background checks (state-level). (See health-care worker certification rules for certain licensed roles; most home-care aides are not in that federal certification list.)

2. Target employers that already sponsor
   Search boards using keywords “caregiver visa sponsorship”, “EB-3 caregiver”, “LMIA/H-2B equivalent” (for seasonal) and filter to U.S.

   • Indeed examples: “Caregiver with Visa Sponsorship in the US.”

   • ZipRecruiter has a “Caregiver Sponsorship” bucket you can sort by state/city.

   • EB-3 agency/job lists exist—verify legitimacy and ask for their prevailing wage, PERM status, and typical timeline in writing.

3. Prefer larger, multi-site providers
   Bigger assisted-living chains, skilled-nursing facilities, and established home-care agencies are more likely to understand PERM/EB-3 and to have done sponsorship before.

4. Be flexible on location & shifts
   Rural/underserved regions and night/weekend shifts improve your odds.

How an EB-3 caregiver hire typically works (high level)

1. Employer agrees to sponsor → runs required U.S. recruitment (PERM) → files PERM with DOL.

2. After PERM approval → employer files I-140 (immigrant petition).

3. When your priority date is current, you complete consular processing (if outside the U.S.) and enter as a permanent resident; or adjust status if already in the U.S. and eligible. (Timelines are multi-year; confirm current visa bulletin movement.)

Red flags & how to vet offers

• “Pay us a huge fee for a guaranteed green card.” Sponsorship costs are regulated; you may pay your own attorney/filing fees in some EB-3 setups, but employers must pay for PERM recruitment and can’t shift all costs to you. Insist on a written fee breakdown and a legitimate U.S. law firm engagement.

• “H-1B for caregiver.” Unlikely/incorrect.

• H-2B ads with no season specified. Ask for the approved H-2B petition details (cap season, start/end dates).

Where to start—practical links

• Wage & outlook (to benchmark offers):
  Home health/personal care aides & CNA wage pages (BLS).

• Live postings: Indeed/ZipRecruiter caregiver sponsorship searches.

• Visa foundations: EB-3 overview (USCIS). H-1B specialty rules (to understand why caregiver ≠ H-1B). TN list (for RNs and other listed professions).

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Want me to pull live roles that match you?

Tell me:

• your current credential (e.g., CNA/HHA + years),

• whether you’re inside or outside the U.S., and

• any state preferences.

I’ll surface current openings that mention sponsorship, plus the employer type (home-care agency vs. facility), advertised pay, and whether their path looks like EB-3 or H-2B under today’s rules.