This bill, titled the NURSE Visa Act of 2026 , aims to address nursing shortages by substantially increasing the availability of nonimmigrant visas for qualified nurses. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to raise the annual cap on these visas from 500 to 20,000 . The increased visas are specifically designated for nurses who will perform services in healthcare shortage areas , as determined by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Furthermore, facilities seeking to employ these nonimmigrant nurses must establish and maintain a clear provider-to-patient staffing ratio policy . The Act mandates that the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and State issue necessary regulations within one year of enactment to implement these changes, which will apply to H-1C nonimmigrant visa petitions.