Canadian graduating from US Medical School: Licensing and J-1 questions

[RadHabit]

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Hi, I have read through some of the threads so far and you have all been a great resource. Just wanted to clarify some things regarding my particular situation.

I am a Canadian who will be graduating from an American medical school this year and am going through the US Match for Radiology. Many of the top radiology programs do not offer the H-1B and only accept the J-1. Here are my questions:

1) Regarding the J-1, when it comes time to come back to Canada for 2 years, how difficult is it to get licensing so I can practice radiology? (preferably in Ontario).
2) If I do a fellowship in Canada do those years go towards the 2 years?
3) I have heard rumors that for those 2 years you can be placed randomly somewhere in the country, is this true?

Basically I need some help deciding if it is worth it to go to a top-tier institution for residency and get the J-1, or go to a lesser program but one that offers the H-1B. Thanks!

 

[MontereyMD]

H1B will be out of the question unless you have the signed contract now and the residency applies for your H1B visa now for next year. This year H1B will be harder to get.
You see there are only 60,000 H1B visas maximum every year. When the 60,000 have been allocated you have to wait until next year.
That's 60,000 for all US companies be it finance,academic, IT, high tech, hospitals and medicine.
The 60,000 visas are usually all gone by the end of February or March. You have to wait until next year until they are available again.
This leaves the only option the J-1.
With an F-1 you can get a one year practical training visa which is what you hopefully know about.
Take the time to marry a US Citizen, get a green card and don't worry about those silly Canadians , their silly visas and regulations and stressing your self out with silly Canadian medical regulators.

 

[PistolPete]

This is incorrect. Many hospitals are non for profit and are academic institutions, and therefore fall outside the cap. This means that they do not fall under the 60,000 visa limit and could still sponsor the OP for an H1-B.

 

[transcriptio]

Go for H1b visa
J1 is no good

 

[mauvespice]

To the OP: Check this out if you haven't already http://www.cpso.on.ca/policies/policies/default.aspx?id=2352&terms=pathway+4 You basically need to have 1 yr of supervised prac in Canada and then complete some assessment and you are ready to go. I've been trying to find out if we need to do the QEs and specialty boards and we apparently don't. This is only for Ontario though and my knowledge is unfortunately limited to this. I've heard the Health Force Ontario helps you find mentors for the 1 yr of supervised prac. I will be seeing them soon and I will post what I learn.

While I am posting here, I thought I'd clarify: So is there any way to stay on in the U.S. after training if one gets a statement of need from Canada? The health Canada lady said they don't allow you to do a waiver, so the only option is to come back to Canada. This sucks as I'd like to choose where I stay and have more freedom.

Good luck to all for the upcoming match

 

[NewCanadian]

.....While I am posting here, I thought I'd clarify: So is there any way to stay on in the U.S. after training if one gets a statement of need from Canada? The health Canada lady said they don't allow you to do a waiver, so the only option is to come back to Canada. This sucks as I'd like to choose where I stay and have more freedom. ..

The two years is a US requirement. Canada has nothing to do with it.
The ECFMG has some info about this on its website.
Once you have finished your training, the US says you have to return home before it will allow you to apply for certain immigrant visas such as the H1B. That's it. If you really want to stay in the US, you can find a job using the J1 Visa Waiver Program. Canada has nothing to do with the Waivers either. It's a US program.

But if you want to live in the US, why not just train at a program that will pay for the H1B?