Please Advise/Comment

[SimonSez]

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I am an IMG and I got accepted into an IM residency program. However, I am having difficulty obtaining my J1 Visa - in particular the Ministry of Health is unwilling to issue a Statement of Need due to a shortage of doctors in the country. What disciplinary action will be taken against me by the Training Program and/or NRMP if I am unable to obtain the Visa?

Would the Training Program be able to sign someone outside the Match to take my spot? I would feel terrible if they are left 1 staff member short because of me.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

If you can't get a visa, your match commitment will be waived. They will be able to hire someone else. The question is -- when do you plan to tell them? There is always some chance they might give you an H1b instead. If you're certain you won't get the J, then you might as well start the conversation.

 

[SimonSez]

Thanks for the advice aProgDirector. I'll let them know of the situation today. I'm hoping that they may consider me for an H1-B visa. I don't have my Step 3 result though. I did Step 3 in mid February and I was really hoping to have the results back by now. However, apparently there is a delay in score reporting for test-takers from mid-February and the expected score reporting date is April 27th!

I also plan to speak to some of the Consultants (Attendings) that I worked with in the past and see if they may be able to write a letter to the Ministry of Health that can support my request for a Statement of Need. It may be a long shot but it is worth a try.

Thanks again!