Passage’s Registered Nurse Program offers a streamlined pathway to secure H-1B employment, begin a competitive career in New York State, and earn an estimated starting salary of $70,000 USD or more. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the requirements, benefits, and application process.

To be eligible for the Passage Registered Nurse Employment Pathway, you must meet all of the following requirements:

What is the NCLEX?
The NCLEX is a standardized nursing exam required for Registered Nurses to obtain U.S. licensure. You must have already passed the NCLEX at the time of application. We cannot support employment pathway applicants who have not passed the exam.

Where to Take It:
You can find a list of International Testing Centres (link provided by the NCLEX governing body).

Exam Costs:

State Licensure Note:
NCLEX results and U.S. work authorization are issued on a state-by-state basis. If you’re licensed in a state other than New York, you’ll need to transfer your license to New York State (an approximately 3-month process). Please note that New York State is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).

Educational Background:
You must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (preferably four years in length) or a credential equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Generally, three-year nursing degrees from outside the U.S. equate to an Associate’s degree.

Credential Evaluation:
If your nursing education was completed outside the U.S., a formal credential evaluation is required to confirm equivalency.

Accepted Evaluations:

What is VisaScreen?
​VisaScreen is similar to a background check and is administered by CGFNS.

When to Apply:
You’ll need to have your secondary school results, Bachelor’s degree transcripts, and proof of passing the NCLEX to start your VisaScreen application.

Why it Matters:
An H-1B visa cannot be filed without a valid VisaScreen.

Minimum Score:
You must have at least a 6.5 overall on the IELTS or an equivalent score on the TOEFL. Only IELTS or TOEFL are accepted.

Who Needs It?
Applicants from all non-U.S. countries must submit a language test score—even if your home country is primarily English-speaking.

Relocation & Settlement Funds:
Applicants should have access to at least $10,000 USD to cover relocation and settlement expenses.

Costs Covered:
The employer pays for the H-1B filing fees for you (the applicant). However, any family member application fees are your responsibility.

Timeline:
Once filed, it takes about 1-2 months to receive a decision on the H-1B application.

Skip the Lottery:
Our applicants skip the usual H-1B lottery system because they have a job offer from a non-profit organization that is affiliated with a university.

What is the TN Visa?
If you are from Canada or Mexico and have a U.S. job offer, you can travel to the U.S. without sponsorship and apply for a TN visa right at the border.

Same Benefits as H-1B:
The TN visa carries the same work authorizations and restrictions as the H-1B.

Additional Requirements:

Ready to accelerate your nursing career? Visit our Registered Nurse Program page to learn more and begin your application. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way—ensuring that you meet all requirements and land the nursing position you’ve always dreamed of in the United States.

Have Questions?
If you need additional support or have questions about the application process, please reach out to our customer support team by email ([email protected]) or on WhatsApp (+1 437 783 5831). We look forward to helping you achieve your professional goals and guiding you toward a successful nursing career in the United States!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.