Requirements for admission of nonimmigrant nurses

(a) Number of Visas Section 212(m)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(m)(4)) is amended— (1) by striking 500. The number of such visas issued for employment in each State in each fiscal year shall not exceed the following: and inserting 20,000. Such visas shall be issued to employ a nonimmigrant to perform nursing services in a shortage area (as designated by the the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration).; and (2) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C). (b) Provider staffing ratio required Section 212(m)(6) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(m)(6)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) The facility has in place a policy with respect to a provider-to-patient staffing ratio.. (c) Regulations required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of State shall issue regulations necessary to implement the amendments made by this section. (d) Applicability This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to a petition for a nonimmigrant visa issued pursuant to a petition granted under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c)).