Immigration Support for Physicians and Surgeons on the Rise

Strategic Insights -

In recent years, a growing number of employers in the US have begun offering immigration support to attract physicians and surgeons from abroad. According to data from Indeed, the share of job postings that include an offer of visa support or green card sponsorship has increased significantly, with 3.2% of help-wanteds for physicians and surgeons including such benefits in May. This trend is particularly notable in the health care sector, which is experiencing a severe labor shortage. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the US will face a shortage of tens of thousands of doctors over the next decade, making immigration a crucial solution.

Key Takeaways:

  • The share of job postings offering visa support or green card sponsorship for physicians and surgeons has increased from 0.04% in June 2021 to 0.14% in May, according to Indeed.
  • Almost three-quarters of all job postings with immigration benefits were in the health care sector.
  • In May, 3.2% of help-wanteds for physicians and surgeons included an offer of visa support or green card sponsorship.
  • In New York, 18% of physician jobs offered immigration support.
  • Immigrants make up 1 in 3 workers (32%) in home care settings, 21% of workers in nursing facilities, and 24% of workers in residential care settings, according to KFF.
  • The Committee of Interns and Residents, part of the Service Employees International Union, has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to exempt non-citizen physicians from the Trump administration's travel ban.
  • The immigration decline could pose challenges for health care, particularly in home care and long-term care settings.

Statistics:

  • The share of job postings with visa support or green card sponsorship increased from 0.04% in June 2021 to 0.14% in May (Indeed).
  • Physicians and surgeons saw a 3.2% inclusion rate of visa support or green card sponsorship in job postings in May (Indeed).
  • Immigrants make up 1 in 3 workers (32%) in home care settings (KFF).
  • Immigrants make up 21% of workers in nursing facilities (KFF).
  • Immigrants make up 24% of workers in residential care settings (KFF).

Sources:

  • (https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/07/08/post-pandemic-spike-in-jobs-offering-visa-sponsorship/): Indeed
  • (https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/trump-immigration-nursing-homes): Axios
  • (https://www.aamc.org/media/75236/download): Association of American Medical Colleges
  • (https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMsr2412784): NEJM
  • (https://www.hollandhart.com/the-role-of-immigration-in-solving-healthcare-workforce-changes): Holland & Hart
  • (https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/trump-immigration-crackdown-economy): Axios
  • (https://www.axios.com/2025/05/13/us-jobs-foreign-workers): Axios
  • (https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/what-role-do-immigrants-play-in-the-direct-long-term-care-workforce/): KFF
  • (https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article309801595.html): Miami Herald