Hospitals and OPT/ visa sponsoring

[goldfish1]

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Hi,
I am going to start a one year MPH program this fall and should qualify for an OPT visa for residency next year.
However, I am hoping to apply for a green card a few months after the start of residency as soon as hubby becomes a US citizen (waiting till then as long wait time for approval otherwise)
Anyhow, my question, is EAD granted by only those hospitals who sponsor J1/ H1 visas? Could i potentially apply to any program even those with a green card/ US citizen requirement, as they will not need to sponsor me for a visa post OPT? I will need approval of EAD for maybe six-eight months of residency before I become a permanent resident
Thoughts appreciated.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You've actually asked a very complicated question.

First, it's hard to predict exactly when your husband will become a citizen, unless he's already got a swearing in date. I have seen these processes take a very long time. So, I think you should assume a delay and plan for your own visa / paperwork.

In general, programs that say "only J" or "no visas" are often willing to consider people on EAD's, but that will be up to each program. The only way to know is to contact them.

Your plan (if I understand it correctly) is to complete an MPH (presumably on an F visa) and then get an OPT visa to do a residency. Unless you plan to do a preventive medicine residency, it is technically illegal to do so. The OPT visa allows you to undertake direct practical training for the degree on which you got your F visa. A medical residency is NOT practical training for an MPH. If you wanted to work at the CDC as an intern, that would be fine.

Interestingly, it's your MPH's school that gives you the OPT visa, not your residency program. So the good news is that the only one you need to convince is the school's visa office. You (probably) won't need to deal with the visa office at your residency program, but they always could look into things and decide that your OPT is not valid and you'd be screwed.

And by "screwed", it could be really bad. You could get deported for visa fraud, and then even if your hubby does become a citizen you'd be unable to come to the US for some period of time.

Chances are, you'll get an OPT and everything will be fine. But, it's a definite risk. How risky, I don't really know since I have no idea how USCIS polices this stuff.

 

[goldfish1]

Thank you very much for your response

I realize I am in quite a pickle!
With the J1 ruled out (immigration intent / two year home country requirement)
I have two options: OPT or H1
H1 would mean having to take Step 3 during an intensive MPH and also limiting residency options
I could also delay residency- and add another year away from clinical medicine

US immigration is not my friend.

I will talk to the visa office at my school and see what they say.

 

[sam1999]

MPH can be done over two years. Not sure what are F (student) visa rules are. I am sure you need to go to school for certain number of hours in order to maintain your visa.

or you can do one year MPH followed by some research fellowship on OPT from where you have done MPH but again you need to be sure you will get the job.

Don't count on starting residency on EAD, as many programs don't like this options as it has to be renewed every year and sometimes there are delays in getting renewal.

 

[goldfish1]

Thanks sam1999!
I have decided to gamble and try my luck in this years Match
I was not too keen on unnecessarily prolonging my MPH degree as it seems pretty well structured.
If I am not successful or have problems with EAD, I could always work in research and cement my MPH knowledge. Hoping it doesn't come to that though!

I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who knows someone or has personally started residency on EAD post a masters degree. How it was for them, whether the program directors were concerned, and whether they ran into any other problems with it. That would be a huge help! Thanks.