Yes. Canadian nurses can work in the U.S., and the route is shorter than it is for most internationally educated nurses. Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), registered nurses who are Canadian citizens can apply for TN status. Once you have a U.S. nursing license and a job offer, you can start work.
If you’re thinking about becoming a Canadian nurse working in the U.S., this guide covers what you need, how the TN visa works, how it connects to a green card, and the questions nurses ask us most.
What You Need to Work in the U.S. as a Canadian Nurse
There are five things to put in place. Most nurses work on several of them at the same time:
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Canadian citizenship. TN status is only open to Canadian citizens. Permanent residents of Canada don’t qualify, although other routes, such as an EB-3 green card, may still be open to you.
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The NCLEX-RN. Every Canadian province and territory except Quebec has used the NCLEX-RN since 2015. If you passed it to get your Canadian license, you won’t usually need to sit it again.
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A U.S. state nursing license. Each state has its own Board of Nursing and its own rules. You’ll need a license, or a temporary authorization to practice, from the state where you’ll work. Processing times vary between boards, so it pays to start early.
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A VisaScreen certificate. This is a federal requirement for internationally educated nurses. It confirms that your education, license and English meet U.S. standards. It’s issued by TruMerit, formerly known as CGFNS International, and is often ready within a few days once your file is complete.
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A job offer. You need an offer for a registered nurse role from a U.S. employer. The offer letter should set out the job title, duties, location and length of employment.
How the TN Visa Works for Canadian Nurses
Registered nurse is one of the professions listed under the USMCA. That makes the TN visa the main route for a Canadian nurse working in the U.S.
Canadian citizens don’t need a visa stamp from a U.S. consulate. You present your documents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry, or at a preclearance location such as a major Canadian airport. If you’re approved, you receive an I-94 record showing your TN status and can start work. Your employer can also file a petition with USCIS in advance instead.
TN status lasts up to three years. It can be renewed with no set limit, as long as you still meet the requirements. It’s tied to your employer, so changing jobs means applying for new TN status. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can join you on TD status. Children can go to school. Your spouse can study but can’t work on TD status.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our TN visa guide for registered nurses.
From TN Visa to Green Card
The TN is a temporary status. Each time you enter the U.S. or renew, you’re expected to show that you plan to leave when your work ends. For nurses who want to settle in the U.S. for good, a green card is the long-term goal.
Employer sponsorship through the EB-3 category is the most common route for nurses. Canadian applicants fall under “All Other Countries” in the monthly Visa Bulletin, which sets when green cards become available. You can follow the latest dates in our Visa Bulletin updates.
Moving from TN status to a green card is possible, but timing matters. Starting the green card process can make TN renewals and border crossings more complicated, so filings and travel need careful planning. This is where specialist immigration support makes a real difference.
Moving to the U.S. With Conexus
Canadian nurses move to the U.S. for different reasons. For some, it's pay, which in many states is higher than at home. For others it’s the chance to try a new specialty, work in a larger hospital, or live somewhere new.
Since 2010, Conexus has helped internationally educated nurses build careers in the U.S. Our teams cover immigration, licensing and credentialing, relocation and clinical education. That means you have one team behind you from your first application to your first shift, and beyond.
Conexus nurses receive competitive pay and benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match. You’ll also have access to our clinical education program with courses designed and delivered by experienced registered nurses and educators.
Ready to start your move? Apply with Conexus and our team will talk you through your next steps.
