Hi

I am in a relationship with a girl from Poland who I want to get married to. I'm currently entering my third year of medical school in the states and she is finishing up medical school in Poland. She hasn't taken Step 1 or Step 2 yet. She does have a two year internship in England that she needs to decide if she wants to take by the following Friday. If she didn't do that she could do an internship in Poland for a year, or maybe research, or go to the states to do research(not sure about the last one). I guess I have a million questions, basically what is the best way for her to get a residency in the states and be able to stay here forever. I don't understand the visa process either so much and she seems to want me to figure it all out since I currently have free time. I know some visa make you leave the country when you are done, and I know there is a fiancee visa too. I guess that is another issue concerning how to deal with that. Is it better for her to do the internship for two years or an internship in Poland w/ poss. research in terms of residency applications? The other problem is the Internship starts and ends in Aug which would seem to cause overlap problems with residency in America which starts Julyish. So I don't know how that would fit into going to residency in America. I know this post may not fit in the forum, I am just unsure of where to post it where I will be able to get intelligent responses. So I figure this place would work fit the bill. I guess anyone who has experience in this or knows people who could help out, it would be wonderful. Oh, she also did a summer rotation at Cedar Sinai in LA and possibly might be able to do another 3 week one, still up in the air like everything else.

Main Questions

1. Internship in England for two years versus Internship in Poland for a year + poss. research. She also needs time to study and take Step 1 and Step 2
Which is better in terms of residency applications? Residency chances in general?

2. Visa issues, I know this isn't relevent to the forum but any help would be wonderful.

3. Throw any other issues out there, I know there has to be a million.

Take Care
Thank you for your time
Paul

visa stuff....

1. J1 visa will require her to get back home for 2-5 years after finishing residency here. This is a specific requirement for doctors.

2. If you are a US citizen, when you marry her she will obtain a "green card" after three years of living with you in marriage. Countdown starts from your marriage day. Green card is a legal "authorization from USA government" which will allow her to work in USA, she needs that b/c hospital cannot pay her the salary if she is a non-US citizen and does not have that "special permission" to work. This is the easiest way "marriage" - wait for 3 years - get green card - apply for residency. She will have to lose couple of years staying with you as housewife.

3. Even with "green card" it is very difficult for foreign medical graduate to get a residency spot in USA. Almost impossible in California. Reasons - doctors earn $$$$ and they wat to keep aliens away from this "fat salary job". So make a connection with your "residency chief" at whatever hospital you will be working at, and make him to accept her application

I posted exactly similar post couple of years ago

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=866143#post866143

> 2. Visa issues, I know this isn't relevent to the forum but any help
> would be wonderful.

In the range of visa options, marrying her is certainly the preferable one.

- H1b visa: numerical limitation, dificult to get, only few hospitals sponsor this visa. High cost ($1800 filing fee for the hospital). Limited to 6 years. Allows immigration afterwards.

- J1 visa: easier to get, no numerical limitation. Most hospitals will sponsor this visa. Lower cost, approx $400 (for you, not the hospital). However requirement to return to Poland (or the UK) for 2 years after finishing residency (or as an alternative, work for the veterans administration or in a medically underserved area for 3 years to get a waiver from this foreign residency requirement).

- green-card: If you marry her (in Poland), she is eligible for an immigrant visa which will give her a conditional green-card. The processing times for an immigrant visa at the foreign consulate is usually 6 months or so (might be more in PL). The conditional green-card would allow her to do a residency or work in any other job, e.g. research. After 2 years, both of you would have to go for an interview and proove that you are in a bona-fide marriage. If you pass, she gets a permanent green-card. 1 year later she would be eligible to file for citizenship.

> 3. Even with "green card" it is very difficult for foreign medical
> graduate to get a residency spot in USA.

25% of practicing US physicians are foreign graduates. In specialties like internal medicine 40% of 1st year residents are foreign grads. It requires concentrated work and dedication to obtain a residency, but it is far from 'very difficult', particularly with a family based green-card in hand.