Visa Processing Retrogression for Foreign Nurses in the U.S. is a visa shortage for nurses in the U.S. due to retrogression in the processing employment-based green cards for foreign nurses (since around 2006 or 2007). While the number of nurses who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents without jobs increases in the U.S., there is still a shortage of nurses in some regions. The long-term outlook of nursing shortage nationwide is expected to continue and worsen in the next few decades.
HR 1929 and HR 1933 were introduced to the US Congress in May 2011 aimed at relieving this retrogression. Both bills died before reaching the Senate. (See also "Legislation" in the Nursing shortage.) The H-1C Visa Registered Nurse Working in a Health Professional Shortage Area as Determined by the Department of Labor classification expired 20 December 2009.