Applying to Cardiology on H1B

[CardiologyEnthusiast]

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[Rac65]

Cardiology-specific advice aside, the H1B visa has a maximum duration of 6 years (for most intents and purposes). The only way to get into a 3-year fellowship on an H1B after IM is to match into fellowship directly after residency and thereby satisfy the 6-year limit. I'm assuming you are either looking for or already have found a job to allow you to stay in the US after you complete your IM residency.

Since you will not be starting your fellowship next academic year, it will not be possible for you to get into fellowship on an H1B visa. Popular options include getting a GC (via various methods), finding an EB1 sponsor or transitioning to a J1 visa - all of which will allow you to start fellowship whenever it is you achieve the appropriate visa status (which varies depending on where you'll be applying).

Things are always in flux when it comes to USCIS but the laws that govern this seem to have been pretty stable over the years. Hopefully you find a way to make it work from a bureaucratic standpoint.

Cheers.

 

[Rac65]

Not trying to be difficult, but does that mean you'll have your GC by July 2022? Why limit yourself to H1B-sponsoring programs then?

More on-topic, your objective stats/accomplishments are certainly compatible with matching into a "decent university cardiology fellowship". There are a lot of other factors that come into play (chief year, connections, letters, previous experiences, personal statement, interviewing skills, how likeable you are, where you're willing to go, etc.) that vary in weight between programs and make commenting on your specific chances of matching entirely impossible.

There are plenty of good programs (some of the best institutions offer it to outstanding candidates, only barrier being inability to apply for NIH-sponsored grants) that offer H1B (see: annual interview thread) sponsorship.

Establish connections. Be friendly. Apply broadly. You should be OK.