How long does a nurse have to wait to get a US visa after getting a priority date ?

Nclex Nursing visa category USA: The wait time for a U.S. visa for nurses with a priority date depends on several factors, primarily the type of visa and the country of origin.

For nurses, the most common visa categories are employment-based, typically the EB-3 visa, which covers skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. Here are the key factors affecting the wait time:

1. Priority Date and Visa Bulletin: The priority date is the date when the employer filed the petition (Form I-140). U.S. immigration releases a monthly Visa Bulletin, showing “cut-off” dates for each category and country. If your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date in the bulletin, your visa becomes current, and you can proceed with the final processing stages.

2. Country of Origin: Certain countries, like India and the Philippines, often have longer wait times due to high demand, leading to backlogs. Nurses from these countries may face longer delays than those from other countries.

3. Typical Processing Time: Generally, for most countries (except high-demand ones), the wait time may range from a few months to a few years. For example, nurses from countries with low demand may wait around 1-2 years, whereas those from high-demand countries could wait 5-10 years or more.

You can check the most recent Visa Bulletin for an updated estimate based on your country and priority date.