How much does it cost to move to the US as a nurse?  

Thousands of nurses emigrate to the United States each year, following the promise of world-class nursing pay, high living standards and an excellent lifestyle. However, the process of moving to the US isn’t exactly easy. You’re required to complete a lot of paperwork and admin and find the money to pay for registration fees and travel.  

Being unprepared can make or break your goal of moving to the United States. On average, a household in the US spends $6,440 per month on housing, food, transport and any other essential household costs – not including relocation.  

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including how Espirita supports your move by covering key relocation costs and finding a nursing job: 

1. Things to consider before moving to the US 
2. Visa application 
3. Travel to the US
4. Accommodation costs 
5. Household bills 
6. Transportation 
7. Healthcare insurance 
8. Total relocation cost 
9. Relocation support from Espirita 

Things to consider before moving to the United States

Working in the US is very attractive to nurses across the globe. The friendly people and diverse climates make the US a highly sought-after destination. However, before you make the leap, there are some considerations to bear in mind.  

Some questions you may want to ask yourself are: 

• What are the best US states for foreign nurses to live and work in? 
• What are living expenses like in each state? 
• How much is it to relocate to the US? 
• Do I have enough money to cover the expenses of moving to the US? 

Visa application

If you’re a nurse from abroad who wants to live and work in the United States, you will need a work visa. Depending on your current citizenship and specific nursing qualifications, there are different types of work visas you can apply for. Filing fees start at $160 for TN visa applicants and can go up to $715 for the EB-3 but are paid for by the employer. 

Although the exact application process varies between visas, you’ll typically go through six steps, which are:  

1. Get your nursing licence and secure a job offer 
2. Gather the necessary documentation 
3. Submit application  
4. Pass a medical exam 
5. Attend your interview at an embassy or consulate 
6. Receive approval and enter the United States 

If you decide to change jobs after obtaining your US visa, you may need to pay another fee to apply for a new visa or to file a petition to request a change of circumstances. 

Licensure fees

All nurses in the US must be licenced in the state they want to work in and present their registration with the state board of nursing as part of their visa application.  

Licensure fees vary between nursing boards, ranging from $100 to $375. However, to obtain your nursing license, you may need to complete other tests or checks which accrue additional costs: 

• CGFNS Credential Evalutation Service: $485.00 and an additional $425.00 for the expedited review service 
• CGFNS Certification Programme: $495.00, plus an additional $125.00 for a certificate verification letter 
• English language proficiency report: $125.00 (per report) 
• VisaScreen®: $740.00 for the initial application and an additional $650.00 for the expedited review service 
• NCLEX: $200 registration fee, plus $150 for international scheduling fee 

All in, the average cost of licensure in the US ranges from $1,800–$2,860. This is based on the necessary steps outlined above and the cost of applying to your state board of nursing.

Travel to the US

Looking at the cost of flights, transfers, rentals and furniture removal services ahead of your move can help you to plan your journey over to the United States. 

Where you’re flying from and when you’re travelling will impact the cost. According to Skyscanner, an average short-haul flight from a location like Toronto in Canada will start at around $100. If you’re flying long-haul from a country such as Singapore, you can expect to pay around $1,400 one-way. 

If you decide to ship your furniture and other belongings to your new home, you’ll have to budget between $6,000–$12,000 for the contents of a three-bed house. This is a major cost and limiting the amount of belongings you bring with you to checked baggage only can cut this cost to drastically. 

Once you have arrived in the US, you’ll need to get to your new home or temporary accommodation. You have the option to hire a rental car for around $50 to $80 per day. Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi transfer from the airport. Taxis usually cost around 70 cents per fifth of a mile in states like New York or 24 cents per fifth of a mile in states like Texas. 

Accommodation costs in the US 

When you first arrive to the United States, you’re likely to move into rental accommodation. As a renter, you should expect the following housing costs: 

• Average monthly rent in the US is $2,060 
• Deposits for long term rentals usually range from 50% to 100% of the monthly rent 
• Furniture for a one-bedroom rental will cost a minimum of $4,000 and $10,000 for a three-bedroom home 

The final cost of these elements can vary depending on where you move to and the size of your rental. Most rentals don’t come furnished, meaning you’ll either have to bring your own furniture, buy new or shop around for second-hand which is a good way to keep costs down. 

Household bills 

Once you have moved into your new home in the United States, there are other bills that you’ll need to fund each month. Utilities in the US typically costs $385 per household, and the average groceries bill comes to $504 a month. However, how much you spend on your household will depend on your family size and location. 

Transportation 

The United States has a lot of infrastructure to support car ownership. The cost of driving a car varies depending on whether you’re leasing or financing a new or used vehicle. On average, you can expect your car payment to amount to over $500 per month. Maintenance, fuel, insurance and tax add further costs that should not be ignored.  

You may decide to move to a place with reliable public transportation. In the US, cities and densely populated areas tend to have better access to buses, trains and other transport. Opting out of car ownership can save you a considerable amount of money, as the average U.S household spends $91 per month on public transport. 

Healthcare insurance 

Because healthcare in the US is privatised, it’s a good idea to get health insurance, otherwise you may struggle to afford any routine or emergency treatments. As a nurse, your employer is likely to offer healthcare plans at a reduced rate thanks for employer contributions. The average employee pays $524.70 per month for a family plan and $149 per month for single coverage. 

How much does it cost to relocate to the US as a nurse? 

Adding up the average spends and minimum costs we have gathered in this blog, the minimum cost of relocation will be: 

• Visa = $160 
• Licensure = $1,800 
• Travel = $100 
• Accommodation, utilities and transport = $2,536 
• Furniture = $4,000 
• Total = $8,596

While this is only an estimate and the exact total cost may be higher, it’s clear that relocation can easily cost thousands of dollars. Many nurses may struggle to fund the process on their own, but with Espirita, you’re not alone on this journey. 

Relocation support from Espirita 

We go further than many other international nursing agencies by offering you: