U.S. Visa Options for Physical Therapists: A Filipino PT’s Guide to Working in the USA

For many Filipino Physical Therapists, the dream of working in the United States is driven by better career growth, higher salaries, world-class clinical experience, and long-term security for their families. But before you can begin your U.S. journey, you must choose the right visa pathway—and this is where most Filipino PTs feel overwhelmed.

Should you go for EB-3, H-1B, or EB-2 Schedule A?
What are the qualifications?
Which one is the fastest?
Which one is the safest and most stable for long-term immigration?

This comprehensive guide, created for aspiring Filipino PTs seeking U.S. opportunities, breaks down your main visa options and helps you understand which one aligns with your goals.

QUICK SUMMARY

Understanding your options—EB-3, EB-2, and H-1B—is the first step toward a successful U.S. career as a Physical Therapist. Each path offers unique advantages, but all of them lead to the same destination:
a rewarding PT career in the United States with stable long-term opportunities. See summary table below for the comparison of the available U.S. visa options for foreign Physical Therapists.

Understanding the Main U.S. Visa Options for Physical Therapists

The aging population in the U.S., along with the rise of chronic and mobility-related health conditions, has created a long-term demand for PTs across hospitals, nursing homes, rehab clinics, and home health agencies.

Immigration Categories Favor Foreign-Educated Physical Therapists

Physical Therapists are listed under the Schedule A shortage occupation, which streamlines green card processing and gives foreign workers a competitive advantage.

Filipino PTs typically choose from four U.S. visa pathways:

EB-3 (Employment-Based Immigrant Visa)
EB-2 Schedule A (Employment-Based Immigrant Visa that has Advanced Degrees)
H-1B (Specialty Occupation Work Visa)
TN Visa (not applicable to Filipinos; only for Canadians/Mexicans)

Let’s break down the three major options for Filipino PTs: EB-3, EB-2, and H-1B.

1. EB-3 Visa for Physical Therapists

Best for: Filipino PTs who want a Green Card and long-term stability

The EB-3 immigrant visa is the most common and practical pathway for Physical Therapists seeking stable employment and permanent residency in the U.S.

Because PTs fall under Schedule A, they are pre-certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, which speeds up the hiring process.

EB-3 Visa Requirements for Filipino PTs

You must meet the following:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physical Therapy
Credential Evaluation (FCCPT Type 1 or equivalent)
VisaScreen certificate
NPTE passing (or be NPTE-eligible)
A U.S. employer willing to sponsor your green card (Grandison Therapy can do this)

EB-3 Application Steps

Although processes may vary, the typical pathway includes:

Education Credential Evaluation
NPTE Eligibility + NPTE Exam
VisaScreen Certificate
I-140 Immigrant Petition
National Visa Center (NVC) Processing
U.S. Embassy Interview
Entry to the U.S. + Begin Working Full-Time

Advantages of the EB-3 Visa if you are an International Physical Therapist

Direct Pathway to a Green Card
- Once approved, you and your family (spouse + unmarried children under 21) receive permanent residency.
No Need for H-1B Lottery
- Physical Therapists under Schedule A are prioritized in visa allocation.
Stable, Permanent Employment
- EB-3 PTs are hired on full-time, long-term contracts.
Dependents Can Work and Study
- Spouses can apply for work authorization, and children can attend school as U.S. permanent residents.

Is EB-3 Delayed by Retrogression?

Retrogression comes and goes depending on visa demand, but PTs remain one of the least affected because it’s an occupation that also qualifies for an H1-B Visa, giving PTs another pathway or visa option to work in the United States.

Agencies like Grandison Therapy help candidates navigate retrogression by:

Securing your priority date early
Guiding you while you wait (training, free NPTE review and exam programs, TOEFL and others)
Ensuring your documents are complete by the time your priority date becomes current
Giving you job security even after years of waiting before you arrive in the USA

2. EB-2 Immigrant Visa for Physical Therapists

Best for: PTs with DPT or Masters Degree or those who want a faster green card when EB-3 is heavily retrogressed

Physical Therapists may also qualify under EB-2, especially if:

They possess a Master’s degree or higher, OR
They have a Bachelor’s degree + 5 years of progressive work experience

Like EB-3, Physical Therapists under EB-2 are also designated as Schedule A, which means the labor certification (PERM) is waived.

Key Benefits of the EB-2 Visa for Filipino PTs

Often Faster Than EB-3 (Depending on Visa Bulletin)
- There are instances in the previous years wherein EB-2 priority dates move more quickly than EB-3.
Same Green Card Benefits as EB-3
- Your spouse and children can immigrate with you.
- You can live and work permanently in the United States and apply for a citizenship after at least 5 years of residency.
Ideal for PTs with Higher Degrees
- If you completed a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) or Master’s, this category matches your credentials.

Which is better between an EB-3 and EB-2 Immigrant Visa?
Both are excellent. Grandison Therapy typically advises PTs based on credentials and visa bulletin movement.

3. H-1B Visa for Physical Therapists

Best for: PTs who want to work earlier while waiting for a Green Card

The H-1B is a temporary, non-immigrant work visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Filipino PTs sometimes use the H-1B as a bridge visa while waiting for EB-3 or EB-2 green card approval.

Requirements for H-1B Physical Therapists

PT degree equivalent to a U.S. doctorate or master’s (after credential evaluation)
State license or proof of eligibility
Employer sponsorship
Must pass the H-1B lottery, unless the employer is cap-exempt

Key Benefits of the H-1B Visa

Start Working in the U.S. Sooner
- Once approved, you can enter the U.S. and begin employment.
Can Transition to a Green Card
- Most PTs on H-1B eventually shift to EB-3 or EB-2.
Spouse Can Work (on H-4 EAD)
- But only once the green card process has begun.

Disadvantages of H-1B

Lottery-dependent, unless employer is cap-exempt
Temporary (valid up to 6 years)
More paperwork than EB-3 or EB-2

Because of these limitations, most PTs prefer direct EB-3 or EB-2 unless the employer has an H-1B cap-exempt status.

Key Advantage of an H1-B Work Visa

If you got picked in the H1-B Lottery, well congratulations! This means that you have the fastest route available for you to be able to work in the USA. Employers like Grandison Therapy, also provides an H1-B Work Visa to Green Card transition option so you can work in the USA temporarily while waiting for you immigrant visa to become current.

4. TN Visa Option for Filipino PTs with Canadian Citizenship

Best for: Filipino PTs who obtained Canadian citizenship and want the fastest work pathway to the USA

While the majority of Filipino Physical Therapists rely on EB-3, EB-2, or H-1B, there is another powerful option that is often overlooked: the TN Visa.

The TN Visa is available only to citizens of Canada and Mexico under the USMCA Agreement (formerly NAFTA). This means Filipino Physical Therapists who migrated to Canada and later became Canadian citizens are eligible for this extremely fast and flexible U.S. work visa.

If you are a Filipino PT with Canadian citizenship, this could be the quickest and easiest way to start working in the United States.

What Is the TN Visa?

The TN (Trade NAFTA/USMCA) Visa is a temporary work visa that allows qualified Canadian and Mexican professionals to work in the U.S. in certain occupations—including Physical Therapists.

Among all U.S. work visas, the TN Visa is considered one of the fastest, simplest, and lowest-cost options.

TN Visa Requirements for Physical Therapists

To qualify for a TN as a PT, you must:

Hold Canadian citizenship (not just residency)
Hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy
Pass the NPTE and obtain a state license OR show proof of eligibility
Have a U.S. employer job offer
Meet credential evaluation standards (FCCPT or equivalent)

Benefits of the TN Visa for Filipino PTs with Canadian Citizenship

Extremely Fast Processing
- Most Canadian PTs receive TN approval within 2–3 weeks through USCIS if applying inside the U.S.
No Visa Cap, No Lottery
- Unlike H-1B, the TN Visa is not limited by a yearly quota.
  There is no competition or lottery system, making approval much more predictable.
Low Application Cost
- The TN is one of the most affordable U.S. work visas, with only basic government filing fees required.
Renewable Indefinitely
- The TN Visa is valid for up to 3 years at a time and can be renewed without limits, as long as you maintain employment.
Spouses & Children Can Join You
- Your dependents (TN-TD status) may also accompany you to the U.S.
  They cannot work, but they can: study, live with you and transition to another status later

Limitations of the TN Visa

While the TN Visa has huge advantages, you should also be aware of its limitations:

Not a Direct Path to a Green Card
- The TN is a non-immigrant visa.
  You can still obtain a green card, but you must switch to an EB-2,EB-3, or another immigrant pathway.
Only for Canadian or Mexican Citizens
- Permanent residents of Canada are not eligible.
  You must hold a Canadian passport.
Employment Tied to Your Employer
- If you change employers, you must reapply for a new TN.

Grandison Therapy: Your Trusted Parter for a Secured Job Placement in the USA

Grandison Therapy specializes in guiding Filipino Physical Therapists through every stage of the U.S. migration process—from credential evaluation to NPTE success to green card approval.

We help PTs overcome the most challenging parts of the process:

Credentialing Assistance
- Get full support for FCCPT Type 1, academic evaluation, and licensing requirements.
NPTE Review and Exam Sponsorship
- We offer comprehensive and intensive NPTE review sponsorship, exam guidance and mentorship from U.S.-licensed PTs
Visa & Immigration Support
- Whether EB-3 or EB-2:
- Document preparation
- I-140 filing
- VisaScreen assistance
- Embassy interview coaching
Job Placement With Top U.S. Healthcare Facilities
- We match Filipino PTs with U.S. employers offering:
  - Fair salary
  - Full-time stable positions
  - Professional growth & training
No Placement Fees, No Hidden Charges
- Grandison Therapy follows ethical recruitment standards and ensures transparency throughout your journey.

Final Thoughts: Your American Dream Starts with the Right Visa Path

If you’re a Filipino PT ready to take the next step, Grandison Therapy is here to guide you every step of the way—credentialing, NPTE, visa processing, and U.S. job placement.

Start your journey today. Your future in the U.S. begins now.

Let's answer some of the frequently asked questions from PTs aspiring to work in the USA

Can Physical Therapists apply for a visa without a U.S. job offer?

Not for employment-based visas. All U.S. work visas for Physical Therapists—including EB-3, EB-2, H-1B, and TN—require a U.S. employer job offer. Agencies like Grandison Therapy help match PTs with qualified employers.

What is the best U.S. visa for foreign Physical Therapists?

For most foreign-educated Physical Therapists—especially Filipino PTs—the EB-3 Schedule A Visa is the best option because it leads directly to a green card, has a high approval rate, and does not require employer recruitment. Those with advanced degrees may also qualify for EB-2.

Can Filipino Physical Therapists apply for the H-1B Visa?

Yes, but only if you meet strict eligibility requirements. You must have a degree equivalent to a US-entry level PT, and your employer must sponsor you through the H-1B lottery. Many PTs prefer EB-3 because it avoids the lottery.

What is the difference between EB-2 and EB-3 for Physical Therapists?

EB-2 requires an advanced PT degree (DPT/Master’s) or exceptional ability. EB-3 is for bachelor’s or entry-level PT degrees. Both lead to a green card, but EB-2 may move faster when there is less visa backlog.

Do I need to pass the NPTE before applying for a U.S. work visa?

Yes. The U.S. government requires proof of licensure eligibility. You must complete credential evaluation (FCCPT, CGFNS, ICD, or IERF), pass the NPTE, and pass TOEFL (if required) before your employer can proceed with visa filing.

What visa is the fastest way for a Physical Therapist to work in the USA?

For most foreign PTs, H-1B is the fastest. For Filipino PTs with Canadian citizenship, the TN Visa is by far the fastest—often approved within 2-3 weeks..

Can Filipino Physical Therapists use the TN Visa?

Only PTs who hold Canadian citizenship qualify. Filipino PTs living in Canada as permanent residents do not qualify until they become citizens. After that, TN is one of the easiest and fastest U.S. work visas.

Does the TN Visa lead to a green card?

Not directly. The TN is a non-immigrant visa, but PTs may later transition to EB-3 or EB-2 if their employer offers immigrant sponsorship.

What is retrogression and how does it affect PT visas?

Retrogression happens when visa demand exceeds the annual limit. This causes delays for EB-3 and EB-2 applicants. Filipino PTs may need to wait months or years for their priority date to become current. However, you may still prepare documents, take the NPTE, and complete VisaScreen during the wait.