IMGs AFTER MATCH WILL YOU BE GRANTED A VISA TO STAY IN THE US?
Sponsor visa is a among the increasingly popular offers of US residency programs for international physicians (IMGs).
This not only helps doctors have the opportunity to work and study in that program, but also opens up opportunities for that doctor to get a green card, citizenship and permanent residence in the country.
Normally, matched IMGs will be sponsored with two main visa lines: J1 and H1-B.
So a question often asked is: Between these two types of visas, which is the best visa that IMGs doctors can sponsor?
1. Difference between J1 and H1-B: Which is the right choice?
First, we need to clearly understand the difference between these two types of visas.
J1 Visa is an exchange visa, which usually requires the recipient to return to their home country after completing the residential program (unless an exemption is granted).
In the case of sponsoring this visa line, after completing the boarding program, you need to return to your home country to work for 2 years. If you don’t want that, you need to register to work for hospitals, clinics, and organizations in areas lacking human resources to be sponsored for other visa lines and apply for a green card later. That’s why your post-residency job options are somewhat limited.
Meanwhile, H1-B visa is a working visa, allowing the recipient to stay in the US long term and have the opportunity to settle down.
For IMGs, the Being sponsored by H1-B from the beginning is an extremely big advantage, because it helps them avoid legal barriers and create more favorable conditions for their future career.
Especially, they will not be required to return to their home country after completing the residency training program and can freely find work anywhere they like in the United States. The process of applying for a green card and citizenship was also done extremely quickly and smoothly.
By the way, I also want to share a little about the special story of a doctor that I recently had the opportunity to support.
Not only was she matched to the boarding program of her 1st choice, but she was also sponsored for an H1-B visa immediately. What’s even more remarkable is that after just a few hours of receiving the match results, the program’s immigration lawyer also contacted her and started filing documents for her.
This is an extremely rare thing, because normally, for doctors, being able to match a J1 sponsorship program is already good, but many times they do not dare to dream of H1-B.
Being sponsored by H1-B from the beginning is not only a proud achievement but also a huge leverage in my future career.
I am really happy to contribute a small part of my effort to her success.
2. So how can a foreign doctor match into the H1-B sponsorship program?
There will not be a general answer for everyone, because when applying to a US medical residency, each person’s profile is extremely different. But to increase your chances of success, you need to have a beautiful profile and extremely thorough preparation.
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Specifically:
- Impressive academic performance: High scores on USMLE exams, especially Step 2 CK, are a key factor. If you have passed Step 3, it further increases the strength of your application.
- In addition, research achievements and quality letters of recommendation from reputable doctors in the US will also be the most important factors.
- Have the right application strategy: Not all programs sponsor H1-B, so it is very important to research carefully and choose the right programs.
- Prepare thoroughly for the interview: This is your biggest opportunity to present yourself and convince the program that you are worthy of H1-B sponsorship.
Although I cannot promise that I will definitely help you get matched to an H1-B sponsorship program, I will definitely do everything I can to help you orient, build strategies and support you throughout the application process, to make your profile the most beautiful and outstanding. as possible.
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In short, it is not easy for a foreign doctor to match into an H1-B sponsored residency program from the beginning, but it is also not impossible. With a strong profile, the right application strategy, and the right support, you can absolutely achieve this goal.
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Hope this information will be useful in your journey to pursue an American medical residency.
Wishing you success!
Dr. Christina Nguyen
Phoenix Medical Academy.
