bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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1. With j1 img is obligated to return to his country after completing his residency program. Is it possible to change J1 visa , during residency program , to the other tipe of visas or some other residency status ?
Not during your residency. Following training, include fellowship here, you will need to find an employer who will sponsor you for permanent residency or your green card (which are now pink). But it is following the training. You should start looking for the waiver position about half way through your training, giving about 18 months to 2 years to complete the paperwork process.
You are correct, with H1b, the visa holder has no obligation of returning to your home country. You still have to find an employer who will sponsor the change of the H1B to the green card - don't assume that it will the hospital that gives you the H visa. The hospital that I work for will sponsor an H1B visa, but will not sponsor to change it to permanent residency. Also, you should know that most fellowships will not sponsor an H1B visa - so if you want to subspecialize, you would be better off getting your J1 visa and looking for a waiver prior to finishing your fellowship.
2. What requirements should the img satisfy in order to obtain this visa ( I know that he has to have all three usmle test) ?
To obtain a H1B visa, you must have USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3. You must have current ECFMG certification. And you must have the training license for the state that you will be working in. And you must have all this in your hands prior to submitting a complete application.
3. When does this visa expires?
You can remain in H1B status for a maximum of six years.
4. Is it difficult to change this visa later to permanent resident status ?
Not if you find an employer willing to sponsor you.
5. How large are costs of issuing this visa for Img ?
The J1 visa will cost you about $130 dollars. This doesn't count the cost of the exams and the CSA. The H1B doesn't cost as much - but most programs will strongly encourage you to pay for the premium processing. And it does work. And, a little known fact, it is written into the rules of the H1B visa, that the employer must pay for the fees for this visa.
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| I am G
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Thank you very much for this valuable info!
U r an angel for us on these forums! O
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| agangalam
Forum Newbie
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Can i apply to ERAS before passing C.S.A.
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| agangalam
Forum Newbie
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How early can v reapply for VISA
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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agangalam wrote: "How early can v reapply for VISA ?" and "Can i apply to ERAS before passing C.S.A. "
You can apply for a J-1 as soon as you have signed a contract for a residency position. I've had persons who have signed prematch, and had their J-1 approval available to them in April/May.
For a H-1b visa, you have to have your ECFMG certification, and your stap three results AND (if applicable) your training medical license from the state that you will be working in. Because states issue licenses at different times, it will vary. Where I am, the state will only issue a training license 6 weeks prior to the start of a residency.
Yes, you can apply to ERAS prior to passing the CSA - here is a quote from ECFMG:
ERAS applicants who are not yet certified must obtain ECFMG Certification before starting a post-graduate training program. It is solely the responsibility of the ERAS applicant to satisfy all ECFMG Certification requirements (passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, the English Language Proficiency Test, and the Clinical Skills Assessment as well as documenting the completion of all requirements for, and receipt of, the final medical diploma [and, effective February 1, 2004, the final medical school transcript], which must be verified by ECFMG directly with the medical school). ERAS fees will not be refunded for any reason
http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| gballarino
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 96
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BBB:
About your comment:
4. Is it difficult to change this visa later to permanent resident status ?
Not if you find an employer willing to sponsor you.
What are the odds of that happening? Is it a usual procedure for an employer to engage in such sponsorship?. I thought that you have to be a medical "semi-god" in order to be sponsored like that. Is that true?
I am a recently graduated MD preparing the steps in Argentina. Getting into a US residency program has been my "plan A" since day one. I passed step 1 with a very good score, and I have the time, resources and power of will to do the same with step 2 CK and CSA/Step 2 CS. But it worries me that I´ll get tangled in visa problems, which (I think) are beyond my scope of action. All I have is good scores, good will, and a gigantic enthusiasm when it comes to study and practice medicine, but I´m begining to feel that might not be enough. Am I wrong? Are the migratory regulations "bendable" when one proves to be good enough? How good is "enough"? can one really tell solely on USMLE Scores?
On a different note:
What is a waiver position?
Any piece of advice will be treasured.
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Guillermo Ballarino
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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"gballarino" wrote:
What are the odds of that happening? Is it a usual procedure for an employer to engage in such sponsorship?.
I really don't know about how often this happens, but I would be willing to say it's more often than you think. I have worked in residency programs since 1988, and I can't think of more than 6-7 persons who have gone home - yes, these persons were on J-1 visas.
I thought that you have to be a medical "semi-god" in order to be sponsored like that. Is that true?
Not really "semi-god" material in the ones that I knew. Just decent hard working residents.
I am a recently graduated MD preparing the steps in Argentina. Getting into a US residency program has been my "plan A" since day one.
You first need to get into a residency position. Then you can start thinking about what you want to do when you finish your program. INS/Homeland Security has lots of ways to bend the rules.
What is a waiver position?
A waiver position is what you will get once you finish your residency and then work in a medically underserved area for a term decided by you and your employer.
Good luck
Any piece of advice will be treasured. [/quote]
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| gballarino
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 96
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I was worried about getting tanlged with visa issues, but it seems that "semantics" is more troubling right now...  What´s the difference between a residency "position" and a residency "program"?
by the way...
Your advice really come in handy as symptomatic relief for my anxiety problems! Thanks for that.
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Guillermo Ballarino
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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When you are in a program - you will fill one position.
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| usmle_taker2004
Forum Junior
Topics: 8
Posts: 22
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"bbb" wrote:
When you are in a program - you will fill one position.
Dear bbb:
I need your expert advice concerning visa. I am currently living in Chile and took the step 2 a month ago( still specting for results). I am planning to go to the USA to polish my english and study for the step 1 and step2CS, my question is: if I stay in the States more than 6 months, would ECFMG let me take the step 2 CK and CS without renewing my B1/B2 visa :?:
I am cuban and could apply to obtain residency in the States if I stay there for 1 year.
I would appreciate very much your input
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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For the best visa advice, contact an INS office or an immigration attorney. I know more about working visas, not visitor visas.
Sorry
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| usmle_taker2004
Forum Junior
Topics: 8
Posts: 22
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Thank you for your answer bbb, I will do that
Best regards
usmle_taker2004
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| Sadia Usmani
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 5
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Hi bbb,
Is there no other way to get an H-1 w/o having done Step 3? Do we have to do Step 3 before December?...Can I tell the residency program that I interview with that I will pass Step 3 before July? Thanx for the help. It's nice to know that there's someone out there to answer your ?s.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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No - step three is an absolute for getting an H-1 visa. I let my applicants know that as long as they have Step three results by March, we will sponsor the H-1 visa. Any past that, and we run the risk of not having enough time to process the visa (yes, even with premium processing).
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| nonstopdoc1
Forum Senior
Topics: 14
Posts: 196
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thanx BBB.
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No winter lasts forever;
No spring skips its turn.
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| drsury
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 21
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"bbb" wrote:agangalam wrote: "How early can v reapply for VISA ?" and "Can i apply to ERAS before passing C.S.A. " You can apply for a J-1 as soon as you have signed a contract for a residency position. I've had persons who have signed prematch, and had their J-1 approval available to them in April/May. For a H-1b visa, you have to have your ECFMG certification, and your stap three results AND (if applicable) your training medical license from the state that you will be working in. Because states issue licenses at different times, it will vary. Where I am, the state will only issue a training license 6 weeks prior to the start of a residency. Yes, you can apply to ERAS prior to passing the CSA - here is a quote from ECFMG: ERAS applicants who are not yet certified must obtain ECFMG Certification before starting a post-graduate training program. It is solely the responsibility of the ERAS applicant to satisfy all ECFMG Certification requirements (passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, the English Language Proficiency Test, and the Clinical Skills Assessment as well as documenting the completion of all requirements for, and receipt of, the final medical diploma [and, effective February 1, 2004, the final medical school transcript], which must be verified by ECFMG directly with the medical school). ERAS fees will not be refunded for any reason http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html
Hi bbb,
Is it still necessary to take TOEFL exam for either of the visas J1,H1 or for programs as such. Previously it was anecessity b4 CS. what is the situationnow
Please clarify
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| drsury
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 21
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"bbb" wrote:agangalam wrote: "How early can v reapply for VISA ?" and "Can i apply to ERAS before passing C.S.A. " You can apply for a J-1 as soon as you have signed a contract for a residency position. I've had persons who have signed prematch, and had their J-1 approval available to them in April/May. For a H-1b visa, you have to have your ECFMG certification, and your stap three results AND (if applicable) your training medical license from the state that you will be working in. Because states issue licenses at different times, it will vary. Where I am, the state will only issue a training license 6 weeks prior to the start of a residency. Yes, you can apply to ERAS prior to passing the CSA - here is a quote from ECFMG: ERAS applicants who are not yet certified must obtain ECFMG Certification before starting a post-graduate training program. It is solely the responsibility of the ERAS applicant to satisfy all ECFMG Certification requirements (passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, the English Language Proficiency Test, and the Clinical Skills Assessment as well as documenting the completion of all requirements for, and receipt of, the final medical diploma [and, effective February 1, 2004, the final medical school transcript], which must be verified by ECFMG directly with the medical school). ERAS fees will not be refunded for any reason http://www.ecfmg.org/eras/index.html
Hi bbb,
Is it still necessary to take TOEFL exam for either of the visas J1,H1 or for programs as such. Previously it was anecessity b4 CS. what is the situationnow
Please clarify
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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Again - please check with the source - ECFMG has all the answers
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| tentacion
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
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i am img,graduated in 1997,interested in IM recidency.My husband is a green card holder and he sponsord me to get all the paper work to get my green card since 2001,steel waiting answer from INS MY STATUS IS PENDING AND LIVE IN FLORIDA.i passed step 1 in my first attempt and before the end of this year i will take step 2ck,step2cs and step 3.My question is can i be sponsered by a residency program for hb1 having my case pending with INS and living in USA? or i need to go back to my home country to get my hb1.Is there any book or publication where we can find a list of all recidency programs in USA,and wich one sponser hb1 visa?Thank you very much for taking your time to answer my question.
tentacion
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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I'm not an immigration specialist - call an immigration attorney to check for certain - or the immigration web site should give you some information.
Good luck
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| tentacion
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
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thank you very much for your answer,i immagened that i have to see an attorney for that.
thanks
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| RA
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 5
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Dear bbb
Hi
I m an Indian medical graduate just passed my step1 currently residing in Newzealand . Could u please guide me as to what visa should I apply for to get to US to take Step2CS.....And also what are the chances of me getting such a visa and what is the usual duration of stay in the US allowed thro' such a visa?
I m new to this and am really confused about visas and stuff as I gather not many people get it. Your advice on will really be of great help.
Many thanks
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,597
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Sorry, but I can't! I don't know what anyone needs to get a visa to visit the states. I do know if you are from South Korea you don't need one (found that out this summer when a friend visited). You would have to check with others who have done it, or the Homeland Security Website to get this information.
(I know, no help.)
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| RA
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 5
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Hi Dear BBB
Thanx for ur prompt advice. I'll visit the website u mentioned. I hope that will give me the information I m looking for.
thanx again
RA
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| jugularforamen
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 6
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hi bbb, do u know anything about if greencard expires in between ur residency?i mean it is conditional green card and it is expiring fter i year and i wont be able to renew that.so i wsa worried if i get any position in match then how to continue after 1 year?plz help me with ur knowledge n experience. thanks in advnce.
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jugular
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