Physicians
The United States relies heavily on foreign national healthcare professionals due to a persistent healthcare workforce shortage, particularly in underserved areas.
Although there is currently no immigrant or nonimmigrant visa category specifically dedicated to health care professionals, Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking to live and work permanently in the United States and establish a long-term medical career in the United States often apply for lawful permanent resident status (get a Green Card) through the Employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category.
While EB-2 category generally requires a job offer from a U.S. employer and a permanent labor certification issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), prospective EB-2 immigrant physicians who agree to work full-time, typically for five years, in a Veterans Affairs healthcare facility or in areas designated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as having a shortage of health care professionals, and whose work has been determined by a federal agency or state public health department to be in the public interest may seek a National Interest Waiver (NIW).
FMGs seeking to temporarily work in the United States often apply through H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 for specialty occupation workers. FMGs may also enter the United States on J-1 nonimmigrant visas to receive graduate medical education or training. FMGs who possess “extraordinary ability” in medicine may be eligible for an O-1A nonimmigrant visa if they come temporarily to the United States to continue working in the area of extraordinary ability. However, some temporary classifications serve as a stepping stone toward permanent residency.
To explore further immigrant and nonimmigrant pathways for foreign medical graduates to work in the United States and to find out how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the process, book your consultation now.
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Practice Highlights
Physicians
The United States relies heavily on foreign national healthcare professionals due to a persistent healthcare workforce shortage, particularly in underserved areas.
Although there is currently no immigrant or nonimmigrant visa category specifically dedicated to health care professionals, Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) seeking to live and work permanently in the United States and establish a long-term medical career in the United States often apply for lawful permanent resident status (get a Green Card) through the Employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category.
While EB-2 category generally requires a job offer from a U.S. employer and a permanent labor certification issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), prospective EB-2 immigrant physicians who agree to work full-time, typically for five years, in a Veterans Affairs healthcare facility or in areas designated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as having a shortage of health care professionals, and whose work has been determined by a federal agency or state public health department to be in the public interest may seek a National Interest Waiver (NIW).
FMGs seeking to temporarily work in the United States often apply through H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 for specialty occupation workers. FMGs may also enter the United States on J-1 nonimmigrant visas to receive graduate medical education or training. FMGs who possess “extraordinary ability” in medicine may be eligible for an O-1A nonimmigrant visa if they come temporarily to the United States to continue working in the area of extraordinary ability. However, some temporary classifications serve as a stepping stone toward permanent residency.
To explore further immigrant and nonimmigrant pathways for foreign medical graduates to work in the United States and to find out how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you throughout the process, book your consultation now.