NURSE Visa Act of 2026

This bill would significantly increase the number of temporary visas for foreign nurses working in the U.S., raising the annual cap from 500 to 20,000. These visas would be specifically for nurses working in designated healthcare shortage areas, as determined by the Health Resources and Services Administration. It also requires healthcare facilities to have established provider-to-patient staffing ratio policies. The bill mandates that the Health and Human Services and State Departments issue implementing regulations within one year of enactment.