International nurses programme · EB-3 green card
Registered nurses: build your career in the United States
For registered nurses in Kenya, the Philippines and Uganda working in busy hospitals. We match you with US hospitals that sponsor an EB-3 green card for you and your family, and guide you from your first interview to your first shift.
Who can apply
Requirements
How it works
The application process
Most nurses take 12 to 18 months from passing the NCLEX and IELTS to arriving in the US. It can take up to 3 years depending on visa waiting times for your country.
- Apply to Lela BoomComplete the international application and upload your CV. Tell us where you are with the NCLEX.
- Screening interviewWe interview you, check your licence and experience against the requirements, and explain the costs and contract before you commit to anything.
- Upload your supporting documentsAfter the interview we send you a secure personal link. Upload each document from the checklist below; you can add them over several days.
- Credentials and examsYour credentials evaluation (CGFNS), state board application, NCLEX and IELTS. Review support is available.
- Matched with a US employerOnce you have passed the NCLEX, we match your profile to hospital openings based on your experience and family situation.
- Employer interview and job offerThe hospital interviews you and issues an offer letter.
- EB-3 visa processYour employer and sponsor file your immigration petition (I-140), then the National Visa Center stage, your VisaScreen certificate and your embassy interview.
- Departure and arrivalPre-departure orientation, then help with your flight, housing and first weeks in the US.
Documents
Documents you will need
Start gathering these early. Only your CV is needed when you apply. After your screening interview you upload the rest through a secure link we send you, and your processing officer will tell you when each one is needed.
For your credentials evaluation (within 60 days of starting)
- Valid passport
- Secondary school certificate and results (for example KCSE in Kenya, UCE/UACE in Uganda)
- Nursing licence verification (form provided)
- Nursing school transcript verification (form provided)
For your green card petition (after you pass the NCLEX and IELTS)
- Birth certificate for you and each family member coming with you
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- Divorce decree, if applicable
- Valid passports for you and each family member
- BSN degree or nursing diploma certificate
- Full nursing school transcripts with grades, for all years
- Licensure exam results from your home country
- Certificates of all work experience (template provided)
- Valid nursing licence registration certificate
- Certificate of good standing from your nursing council
- Police clearance certificate (Kenya: DCI Certificate of Good Conduct; Philippines: NBI clearance; Uganda: police clearance certificate)
- NCLEX results, and your US RN licence once issued
Costs
What the programme costs, and who pays
Lela Boom never charges you a recruitment or placement fee. The full programme costs between $9,108 and $15,267 per nurse. Your US sponsor pays most of this. Your share depends on your nationality.
Ugandan nationals: you pay about $150
| Cost | You pay | Sponsor pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-exam: starter payment (goes towards the CES report or language programme) | $100 | $545 – $655 |
| English language programme, if you need it | $0 | $238 – $952 |
| Exam: NCLEX registration and IELTS | $0 | $540 – $695 |
| Exam: visitor visa, if you sit the NCLEX outside your country | $50 | $0 |
| Exam: travel to sit the NCLEX abroad | Paid upfront | Up to $750 refunded |
| Immigration: NVC visa fee, VisaScreen, embassy medical, green card fee | $0 | $1,515 – $1,615 |
| Licensing: verifications, transcripts, postage, notary | Paid upfront, refunded | $1,120 – $1,400 |
| Relocation: flight, first month’s rent, furniture, relocation week | $0 | $5,150 – $8,900 |
| Total | $150 + any extra travel | $8,425 – $14,472 |
Kenyan nationals: you pay $740 – $1,235
| Cost | You pay | Sponsor pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-exam: credentials evaluation (CGFNS CES report) | $250 | $235 |
| Pre-exam: state board application and fingerprint card | $0 | $60 – $170 |
| English language programme, if you need it ($119 a month for 2–8 months) | $0 – $240 | $238 – $952 |
| Exam: NCLEX registration (Pearson) | $0 | $350 |
| Exam: visitor visa, if you sit the NCLEX outside your country | $50 | $0 |
| Exam: travel to sit the NCLEX abroad | Paid upfront | Up to $750 refunded |
| Exam: IELTS English test | $190 – $345 | $0 |
| Immigration: NVC visa fee, VisaScreen, green card fee | $0 | $1,265 |
| Immigration: embassy medical exam | $250 – $350 | $0 |
| Licensing: verifications, transcripts, postage, notary | Paid upfront, refunded | $1,120 – $1,400 |
| Relocation: flight, first month’s rent, furniture, relocation week | $0 | $5,150 – $8,900 |
| Total | $740 – $1,235 + any extra travel | $8,418 – $14,022 |
- "Paid upfront, refunded" means you pay the charge first and your sponsor reimburses you.
- If you travel to another country to sit the NCLEX, up to $750 of travel is reimbursed. Travel costs above that are yours.
- Nurses from the Philippines: your recruiter will give you your cost schedule at the screening interview.
- Your sponsor confirms your costs in writing before you pay anything.
Family
Bringing your family
Your spouse and children under 21 can move with you. Your sponsor manages their paperwork as long as they travel at the same time as you. Family members who come later must handle their own immigration process and all its costs.
| Cost per family member | When it is due | Kenyan nationals: you pay | Ugandan nationals: you pay (first 3 family members) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Before visa processing | $150 | $150 |
| NVC visa fee | When the I-140 is approved | $345 | $52 |
| Embassy medical exam | At the embassy interview | $250 – $350 | $250 – $350 |
| Green card fee | After the embassy interview | $220 | $33 |
| Flight to the US | When booking the flight | $750 – $1,500 | $750 – $1,500 |
| Total per family member | $1,715 – $2,565 | $1,235 – $2,085 |
For Ugandan nationals, the reduced rate covers up to 3 family members. From the 4th family member, you pay the full amount shown for Kenyan nationals.
Questions
Do I pay Lela Boom anything?
No. Lela Boom never charges a recruitment or placement fee. The only costs you pay are the programme costs listed on this page, and they go towards exams, credential checks and immigration fees.
Which costs apply to me?
Your costs depend on your nationality: one schedule applies to Ugandan nurses and another to Kenyan nurses. Nurses from the Philippines receive their cost schedule from their recruiter at the screening interview. Your sponsor confirms your costs in writing before you pay anything.
Can I apply before passing the NCLEX?
You can register while you prepare. You will only be put forward to US employers after you pass the NCLEX-RN.
How long does it take?
Usually 12 to 18 months once you have passed the NCLEX and IELTS and your country’s visa category is current. It can take up to 3 years depending on visa waiting times and how quickly documents are ready.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and children under 21 can come with you on the EB-3 green card. Their immigration costs are mostly yours to pay; see the family costs section.
Costs are set by the exam, credential and immigration agencies and can change at any time. Figures last reviewed 2026-11-03. If anyone asks you to pay Lela Boom for a job offer or a visa, do not pay and report it to careers@lelaboom.com.
Ready to start?
The application takes about 10 minutes. Have your CV ready.