tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17055298764882456322009-12-14T13:29:46.145-08:00<center> Taking USMLE steps? Get the basics right about H1, J1, Green Card and related issues for Foreign / International Medical Graduates, IMGs, FMGs, Medical Students, Residents, Physicians &amp; Doctors <br> **International Copyright** | Last Updated: 1st July 2009 </center>Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-6024941299171970552009-02-15T10:32:00.000-08:002009-02-21T09:52:28.304-08:00

The American Dream has plenty of definitions, and plenty of critics..including the now cliched line by humorist George Carlin "It's called the American Dream Because You Have to Be Asleep To Believe It" ....lol, well it does not have to necessarily apply to one of the definitions - owning your own home !Q. Can you purchase and own a house in USA on a H1b Visa ?A. Yes you can ! Q. Can you purchase

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-30493832685380997602008-07-08T14:14:00.001-07:002008-07-09T11:12:55.377-07:00

This would apply to IMGs who have been staying in the US on a visa and move to another residential address for whatever reasons - like finally starting your residency / fellowship program.. :-)While I was a student here in the US on F1 visa, it was the school that did it automatically each time I moved to a new apartment - and even since I started my residency on a different visa status (H1b) , I

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-79082930215264460892008-04-19T23:08:00.000-07:002008-04-19T23:51:13.543-07:00

When Dreams to the Land of dreams are crushed by US visa rejections, it can be understandably upsetting... upsetting enough to cast magic spells and throw magic powders at the visa officers ..This is what a visa officer shares in a article about how the real threat of huge illegal immigration numbers to the United states comes from people with temporary visas from around the world, rather than

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-21277252544462488122008-04-08T17:44:00.000-07:002008-04-10T09:52:46.699-07:00

The fine-print on any product or policy, generally speaking, does not make a very enjoyable read ;-) Like the brand new credit card offer that displays "0% APR" with a 36-point font, while somewhere far away, a 4-point font fine print will also say that "APR is liable to change without notice" or that any "missed monthly payments will imply a APR rise to 30% "..lolSo...while there might have

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-65538144517429028512008-04-04T11:07:00.001-07:002008-04-04T11:27:04.529-07:00

As per the Department of Homeland Security Press Release dated April 4th 2008, a 17-Month extension of the OPT work authorization status granted to F1 students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics has been approved, which increases the total duration from 12 months to 29 months. However this extensio will be only for students who have employments from employers who are a part of

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-48799234870486734372008-04-01T22:54:00.000-07:002008-04-01T23:01:43.298-07:00

A recent news article featured on the Northwestern University website featured a 40-Year Dr. Angelo Meliton, an IMG who completed a medicine residency from Phillipines and came as a research fellow to the University of Chicago Medical center (possibly a J1 research scholar) who was then hired as a research worker on a H1b visa. After four years of research, Dr. Meliton would like to switch to a

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-36322078334042357952008-03-31T00:29:00.000-07:002008-03-31T09:07:12.499-07:00

Since there are plenty of IMGs on F1 visas doing Masters / PhD course at the time of matching in March, who knowingly or unknowingly used the GRE Route to Residency ;-), here is some information to their benefit while considering transferring to H1b for a post-graduate clinical residency / fellowship program. This is not about how to do the transfer - the immigration lawyers with your residency

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-23698838841928534542008-03-25T12:29:00.000-07:002008-03-25T12:41:13.294-07:00

As mentioned on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations for Exchange Vistors,Change of program code:"The alien physician (i.e. IMG/FMG in US) may, once and not later than two years after the date the alien physician enters the United States as an exchange visitor or acquires exchange visitor status, change his designated program of graduate medical education or training if the Secretary of

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-28946688250382637642008-03-09T11:38:00.000-07:002008-03-09T12:13:40.713-07:00

Just like there can be several meangings to the same word (a fact that becomes specially important during the GRE), there are various ways of saying the same thing.Like, I have already covered that usually the H1b visas sponsored for Residencies and Fellowships are exempt from the annual H1b cap i.e. the quota system does not apply to them. But since recently I have had some email queries from

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-27944819050813391082008-03-04T15:46:00.001-08:002008-04-02T08:21:40.541-07:00

This might just be the lamest post on this blog, but I figured a state-wise list of links to official websites on state policies on J1-waiver programs for IMGs (FMGs) might be a handy thing on this blog. The policies will include the type of specialties available for J-1 waiver jobs, for example, the State of Utah policy on J-1 waiver reads:"BEGINNING JULY 1, 2004, ONLY "PRIMARY CARE" J-1 VISA

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-46055443963019509552008-02-12T23:45:00.001-08:002008-02-13T00:23:31.986-08:00

The TN visa was created in 1994 under the North American Free Trade Agreement Act (NAFTA) for certain professionals holding citizenships in Canada and Mexico. There are several amazing attributes of the TN visa that make it seem much better than the H1b visa:1. There is No need for the employer to "sponsor" a TN visa - Canadian citizens get a better deal than Mexican citizens in that an Employer

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-3517275148434484572008-02-08T00:08:00.000-08:002008-02-08T01:25:40.822-08:00

Today I feel buoyed by the fact that we may soon be able to deposit checks from the comfort of our homes - giving me more time for blog for ya'll.....not that I keep depositing checks too frequently - since none of you pay me for reading this premium material, do you ? ;-) He he he he..(pardon my poor-humored, non-modest side)A bigger reason I feel upbeat is getting my hands (or rather my mouse)

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-87719777025093439692008-02-06T18:04:00.000-08:002008-02-07T00:42:54.938-08:00

Ever wondered if the correct spelling was 'dependAnt' or 'dependEnt' ? The doubt always got me until I found out that both are correct in their ways ! "dependEnt" can either be used as an adjective or an American noun - while 'dependAnt' is a British noun. I hope you guys are not going to start pointing out mistakes in my usage of either terms - coz' it really does not matter to me as long as

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-78545239836203834672008-01-26T21:20:00.000-08:002008-02-07T00:48:36.736-08:00

Most of the Residency & Fellowship programs are not-for-profit, academic institutions and are not subject to the annual H1b visa caps. But there might be some for-profit community-based programs that fall under he H1b visa cap. Since there are plenty of IMGs holding H1b visa job positions in either for-profit and not-for-profit settings prior to switching to a Residency, lets do a roundup of

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-43590903193741631242008-01-24T17:01:00.000-08:002008-01-24T17:13:48.732-08:00

The previous post on this blog was about how J1-waiver physicians were financially abused by being underpaid and overworked since the employers had control of their visa situation - this time, its the case of an IMG physcian who helped a federal investigation looking into the matter of underpaid H1b doctors in the VA system of hospitals - the physicians were fired on the pretext of 'budgetary

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-88996220953379104432007-12-13T17:05:00.000-08:002009-07-01T15:15:55.247-07:00

As if the 2-year home country requirement, the trouble for looking for waiver jobs and then needing to stick around for 3 years was not enough, additionally at some places there have been reports of employers taking advantage of these physicians - overworking them, underpaying them and keeping them beyond the three year limit by threatening visa termination and deportation.And the saddest part is

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-20217225019413845522007-12-07T00:04:00.000-08:002008-04-19T23:46:49.585-07:00

A 24-year Russian Girl, Yuliya Kalinina, who was caught by the cops for placing a ad on Craglist.com which went like this:"Green Card Marriage -- Will pay $300/month. Total $15,000. This is strictly platonic business offer, sex not involved. NOT required to live together. "LOL. She was obviously unaware that marrying only with the intent of securing a Green Card is illegal and that Cyber

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-52470343940839106282007-11-21T13:15:00.000-08:002007-11-21T14:02:35.194-08:00

Starting 2008 residency Year (i.e. 2008 Match candidates), the Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Crozer Chester Medical Center, PA, has decided to sponsor Green Cards for visa-needing IMG Residents, after they successfully complete the first year of their program. Here's the visa policy mentioned on their website.Here's the FREIDA entry for the program - shows 8 positions per year and

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-51380133418117415042007-11-02T01:13:00.000-07:002007-11-02T03:19:52.993-07:00

Although we have discussed before why fellowships are easier and at better programs on J1 visa than on H1b visas - this advantage can be a double-edged weapon when it comes to landing J1-waiver jobs, coz' that ain't easy for IMGs who do fellowships after J1 residency. In a previous post about J1-waiver sponsoring agencies and specialties - we saw that most J1-waiver jobs are taken up by the

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-9222115301767378352007-10-16T23:24:00.000-07:002007-10-17T00:53:04.348-07:00

Either by choice or by compulsion, some J1 visa-IMGs may see the prospect of having to return to their countries at the end of J1 visa term. An IMG reader had asked me whether she could come back to the USA for observerships / Research / Externships after she returns to her home country to complete the 2-Year Home Country physical residence [212(e)] requirement. Her idea was to improve chances of

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-13271188101298709882007-10-10T20:52:00.000-07:002007-10-10T21:16:39.944-07:00

First Lets quickly revise the types of J1 Visas subject to the 212(e) rule:a. The J1 candidate exchange program was funded by the United States Government, own country government or an international organization.b. The education, training, or skill the candiadte is pursuing on the exchange program appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List (1997 Amendment) for candidates country.ORc. The J-1

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-64879397760457218062007-10-07T22:05:00.000-07:002007-10-07T22:44:53.007-07:00

Well this post is more out of curiosity than with any intentions to be useful to IMGs - but then it's true: if you got a million dollars sitting around and you desperately need that Green card, there is a way: The EB-5 Track Green card or 'Immigration through Investment'. If an IMG has that kind of money - I guess he or she would not be coming to the US anyways..lolSome Facts for this Green

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-77356514896034390552007-10-01T00:38:00.000-07:002007-10-01T01:05:31.303-07:00

As we have already seen on this blog about J-1 waiver basics, one of the ways an IMG or other J1 foreign worker could possibly seek a waiver (or abdication or freedom) from the 212(e) 2-year home country residence of the J1 visa is to prove that your US Citizen spouse or child will face an exceptional hardship back in your home country.And I came across a great article by the very guy who created

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-10468959642160860782007-09-09T00:51:00.000-07:002007-09-11T00:59:16.356-07:00

Here i am repeating myself exhaustively for those IMGs who did not pick up the bits and pieces scattered on this blog ;-)1. "J1 Waiver" is a term applied for the job itself - not the visa type. The actual Visa status during a J1-Waiver job for an IMG is H1b Visa. At times, it could be O1 visa (For people with extraordinary ability)2. A J1 Waiver Job is done for a minimum of three years as per US

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705529876488245632.post-56752953474391292042007-08-08T00:21:00.000-07:002008-02-13T08:14:45.176-08:00

By the time you finish reading this post, your face might possibly carry the same expression as this dude in the pic . [(But then, I have a habit of exaggerating ;-) ]The O1 Visa is a temporary work visa (like the H1 Visa) for those individuals who have documentation to show "extraordinary ability" in his/her field of sciences, education, arts, athletes, and business. And just like the H1b visa,

Digitaldoc, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06490732171275104383noreply@blogger.com1