Wow. I did not know about FREIDA. Just went to the website and found several programs that start in Jan. Thanks Winged Scapula for that, very informative.
You're welcome...I'm glad it was helpful.
I did some research. So lets say I graduate June 2010. I take my Step 3 in July (I can only take Step 3 after graduation). Step 3 Results come out in November 2010.
Step 3 results should take less than 4 weeks to get back...others who have taken it more recently can give an update on the current timeframe from taking the exam and posting the results, but for all the computerized exams the results come back much quicker than you are anticipating (ie, 4 months).
Is there any chance I can start residency Jan 2011?
As long as you are ECFMG certified by residency start date and have a visa, you can start (providing you find a program that offers you a position).
If I wanted Jan 2011 start date, would I start to apply Sept 2010 even though my Step 3 results wouldn't be ready for a few months (since I would be requesting for H1B visa for January).
Yes, you would apply during September 2010, letting programs know that you would be available to start work in January pending getting the H1B visa. However, this may be difficult because it can take 6-9 months to get an H1B visa, and some programs don't sponsor them at all, so you would have to take Step 3, get interviewed at a program, they would have to offer you a position outside of the match and then apply for the visa - all to happen by January. Given the timelines, unlikely to happen.
Here is some excellent information on H1B visas from aProgramDirector:
aProgramDirector said:
The H Visa
An H visa is a true work visa. It allows a non-US citizen to hold a professional position which requires significant training. H visas are commonly used by physicians and by IT professionals. Because of the "Home Country" issue with the J visa, they are often preferred by non-US citizens training in the US. However, they have some other issues.
Basic facts:
They are much more difficult to get. There is an annual limit to the number of H visa's available in the US. Last year, this limit was 65,000. It's extremely complex, but last year all of the visas were given away many months before they would be valid. Current practice suggests that it may take 6-9 months to get an H visa, if one is obtainable at all.
They are much more expensive and complicated. Usually you need to hire a lawyer to make it all happen, which costs $$$. There is a $1000 premium processing fee, which really isn't optional if you want to start your training anywhere near July 1st. This site has a list of all the documents / paperwork you will need to generate.
Some residency programs refuse to sponsor H visas because of all of the work involved.
Non profits and Universities are immune to the cap, and hence can always get an H visa. However, an H obtained outside the cap is only transferrable to another institution immune to the cap.
In order to get an H, you will need to pass all THREE steps of the USMLE (unlike the J, where you only need Step 1 and 2). Realistically, you should have passed all three before even applying for a residency position if you wish to try to get an H visa.
You can transfer your H Visa anytime you want, although it usually takes 2-3 months to do so.
If you get hired in the US into a permanent job (i.e. NOT residency) on an H visa, your employer can sponsor you for permanent residency. This is one of the easiest paths to citizenship. Note I said "easiest", not "easy". This is the major advantage of the H visa. Note that if your H is obtained outside of the cap, this will only work for an employer who is University / Non profit.
Your H visa is only good for 6 years (actually it's good for 3 years, and renewable once). This can be a big problem if you decide to do a complex fellowship (like interventional cards, which is 3+3+2 = 8 years in most institutions now).
Dependents (Spouse / children) obtain H-4 visas. They cannot work in the US on these visas at all.
You can moonlight on an H1-b visa if you can obtain a full license (which depends by state).
Or, would I apply Sept 2009 for Jan 2011 (If I can get the July 1 2010 start date pushed 6 months to wait for my Step 3 results/H1B visa)
You can discuss this with programs but most are expecting that if you apply in September 2010 that you are planning on starting work in July 2011 but could be available sooner if the visa were obtained. You would not apply September 2009 with a plan to start January 2011.
Also, on that FRIEDA site, many residencies say start date is "negotiable", so I'm assuming there are cases when I could start residency in months such as Feb...or am I wrong?
Iffy. Take what is written on FREIDA with a grain of salt. It is often written by administrative personnel, not updated, etc. However, these things *may* be negotiable but most programs would likely prefer a July 1 start date, with some allowing an off cycle start, but these dates are usually fixed. You would have to contact specific programs and ask about how flexible they would be.
Clearly an H visa is better than the J, but you also have to realize that many programs will not sponsor residents for an H visa. You also need an attorney to help you with this.
Bottom line is:
- take Step 3 as soon as possible after graduation
- Apply September 2010 with a plan to start July 2011
- Tell programs that interview you that you could start January 2011 if the visa was obtained
- Ask programs that interview you if there are any alternate start dates between January 2011 and July 2011 (probably not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Some specialties might be more flexible).
