Which employers accept overseas applicants? International healthcare recruiters such as Conexus MedStaff advertise support for foreign-trained occupational therapists. Sponsorship depends on your credentials, the vacancy and immigration eligibility.
What qualifications do I need? Overseas education generally requires NBCOT review, followed by the certification examination, state licensing and applicable immigration credential screening.
How do I verify a job offer? Contact the employer independently, confirm the workplace and sponsoring organisation, and review the written contract before paying or signing.
What costs should I expect? Budget for credential evaluation, examinations, licensing, immigration certification, visa processing and relocation. Employer coverage varies.
Where can I apply directly? Start with verified international therapy recruitment programmes and the official careers pages of hospitals, rehabilitation providers and school staffing organisations.
For an overseas occupational therapist, securing a US job involves more than finding a willing employer. You need professional permission to practise and immigration permission to work. Completing one does not automatically provide the other.
Check Immigration Eligibility Before Spending Money
Nationality-based restrictions can affect whether a visa can be issued, even when an employer supports your application.
For Nigerian applicants: current Department of State guidance lists Nigeria among countries subject to a partial suspension covering all immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories, with exceptions. H-1B is not among the nonimmigrant categories listed in that particular partial suspension, but eligibility still requires individual assessment. travel.state.gov
A separate immigrant visa issuance pause affecting 75 nationalities ended in August 2026. That development should not be confused with the separate proclamation restrictions. Before committing to an employment-based green card programme, ask the employer’s immigration attorney to assess your circumstances. travel.state.gov
What Occupational Therapy Jobs Are Available?
Occupational therapists help people develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for everyday activities. Opportunities exist across several clinical and educational settings.
Work setting
Typical focus
Hospitals
Recovery after illness, injury or surgery
Rehabilitation facilities
Functional independence and rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facilities
Older adults and patients needing ongoing care
Schools and paediatric clinics
Participation, development and daily living skills
Home health services
Independence and safety at home
Outpatient clinics
Rehabilitation and condition-specific treatment
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 10,000 openings annually. These figures describe the overall labour market, not the number of visa sponsorship vacancies. bls.gov
Occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist are distinct professions. Apply under the correct title because their licensing and immigration requirements differ.
Occupational Therapist Salaries in the USA
The national median annual salary was $100,330 in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned below $71,690, while the highest-paid 10% earned above $131,950. These are national figures, not guaranteed starting offers. bls.gov
Compare guaranteed hours, health insurance premiums, paid leave, productivity expectations and local housing costs. A higher hourly rate may offer less financial security if hours fluctuate or benefits are limited.
Qualifications: Can Your Overseas Degree Be Accepted?
For internationally educated applicants, the starting point is usually Occupational Therapist Eligibility Determination (OTED) through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
NBCOT assesses whether your combined education and fieldwork meet US entry-level standards.
Its published eligibility routes include:
An entry-level master’s degree in occupational therapy.
A bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy plus a post-professional master’s or doctorate in occupational therapy.
A bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy plus a master’s degree in a related field.
The education must include at least 960 hours of qualifying fieldwork. Additional coursework may be necessary, and completing a postgraduate degree does not guarantee approval. A standalone overseas bachelor’s degree should not be assumed sufficient. nbcot.org
Certification, state licensing and immigration screening
These are separate requirements:
Requirement
Purpose
OTED review
Establishes eligibility for the NBCOT examination
NBCOT examination
Leads to professional certification when requirements are met
All states require occupational therapists to hold a licence. Requirements vary, so review the intended state’s rules before accepting a placement. bls.gov
USCIS recognises NBCOT as an authorised healthcare worker certification organisation for occupational therapists. NBCOT offers the Visa Credential Verification Certificate (VCVC). This certificate does not itself grant a visa or state licence. uscis.gov
Recruitment Agencies and Employers to Contact
Conexus MedStaff
Conexus explicitly advertises sponsorship support for internationally trained occupational therapists. Its therapy recruitment page identifies NBCOT qualification and a valid VisaScreen among its programme requirements.
Confirm the proposed visa category, placement location, immigration certificate accepted and contractual obligations before joining. Conexus MedStaff
MedPro International
MedPro has a documented history of international therapist recruitment. However, its current public opportunities page reviewed for this guide focuses on nursing. Request confirmation of an active occupational therapy programme rather than assuming its nursing offers apply to therapists.
Search hospital, rehabilitation and school staffing careers pages using terms such as “occupational therapist visa sponsorship” and “international occupational therapist recruitment.”
Ask whether the organisation sponsors this position. A hospital’s history of sponsoring other professions does not confirm sponsorship for occupational therapists.
There is no verified basis here to present a longer list of healthcare companies as currently offering guaranteed OT sponsorship.
Which US Work Visa Routes May Apply?
H-1B specialty occupation
An eligible occupational therapy position may support an H-1B petition when the role and applicant satisfy the requirements. The employer handles the petition process; the applicant cannot independently purchase an H-1B sponsorship.
Some employers are subject to annual selection, while qualifying organisations or employment arrangements may be cap exempt. Hospital employment alone does not establish an exemption. uscis.gov
H-1B fees and policy have been subject to litigation and proposed changes. Obtain a current, case-specific explanation from the petitioning employer rather than relying on a fixed online package price.
TN classification
Occupational therapist is a listed TN profession for eligible Canadian and Mexican citizens. Holding residence in either country without citizenship does not establish eligibility. Professional and healthcare certification requirements still apply. uscis.gov
Employment-based permanent residence
An employer may consider EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship, depending on the position’s requirements and your qualifications. The process can involve labour certification, an employer-filed immigrant petition and waiting for visa availability. Travel
Occupational therapists are not automatically covered by Schedule A Group I. That designation covers professional nurses and physical therapists. Do not assume that an OT application can bypass standard labour certification simply because it is a healthcare role. uscis.gov
Express Entry and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot are Canadian programmes. They do not provide US permanent residence.
Documents Overseas Applicants Should Prepare
Organise your records before recruitment interviews:
Passport and consistent identity documents.
Degree certificates and official transcripts.
Course syllabi and fieldwork records.
Verification of current and previous professional registrations.
Employment references and clinical experience records.
NBCOT eligibility and examination documentation.
State licensing documents.
Healthcare worker certification and required English evidence.
Signed offer, employment agreement and immigration paperwork.
NBCOT requires several documents from primary sources, including educational institutions and professional regulators. Incomplete syllabi or unverified registration history can delay review. nbcot.org
How to Secure Employer Sponsorship
1. Confirm educational eligibility
Review OTED requirements before paying a recruiter or enrolling in additional study. Ask NBCOT whether a proposed qualification addresses your educational gaps.
2. Identify the intended state
Check its licensing requirements and explain your current stage honestly to employers.
3. Apply through verified channels
Use official recruitment forms and employer careers pages. Include clinical specialties, patient groups, recent experience and credential status in your CV.
4. Review the complete contract
Establish who employs you, who files the petition, where you will work and what happens if deployment is delayed.
Check repayment clauses, placement changes, guaranteed hours and termination conditions.
5. Complete the correct immigration process
For a typical employer-petitioned temporary route, petition approval precedes the visa application stage. For an immigrant route, follow USCIS, National Visa Center and consular instructions as applicable.
An approved petition does not guarantee visa issuance or admission.
Credentialing, Visa and Relocation Costs
Expense
Budget consideration
OTED application
NBCOT lists $850
NBCOT VCVC application
Listed fee is $500
Certification examination
Separate examination charge
State licensing
Varies by jurisdiction
English testing and coursework
Depends on requirements
Immigration processing
Depends on route and case
Relocation
Flights, housing deposits and initial expenses
Verify fees before payment. Ask the employer to identify covered expenses and any repayment obligations in writing. nbcot.org
Temporary visa applicants generally use Form DS-160; immigrant visa applicants follow the applicable DS-260 process. Attend the location specified in your official instructions.
For Nigerian applicants, the US Embassy Abuja is at 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District, Abuja. Use the US Mission Nigeria visa page for current enquiries and processing arrangements. Do not assume your interview will take place in Abuja. Travel.State.gov
Conclusion
A US occupational therapy career starts with confirming that your education can meet licensing standards. From there, target employers that support your profession, assess the proposed visa route and compare the full employment package.
For long-term settlement, distinguish temporary work authorisation from green card sponsorship. Neither a recruiter nor an employer can guarantee approval. Your strongest application combines recognised credentials, verifiable clinical experience and a clear, lawful immigration plan.
