visa dilemma

[cassieandcheeta]

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hi everyone,

I have a dying question for you guys....I'm currenlty a medical student in the US but unfortunately my visa status is still foreign because my parents left the US when I was very young before we were able to obtain a green card, so even though I have been in this country for the last 14 years and received all of my higher-level education here, I've studied on a foreign student visa....At this point I hear most programs only offer a J1, which would force me to leave the US for several years and work in my home country, which I find ridiculous because I've been here for so long that the US really is my home and I don't think this rule should be applying to me at all. What should I do? has anyone else been in a similar position, but had no problem getting an H1b visa anyway? I would love any sort of advice on this matter from any one of you guys!

thank you, cassie

 

[Renovar]

Should not be a problem if you are USMG. Depends a lot on your specialty and specific situation. I applied as a foreign (Canadian) USMG, did residency and fellowship through H1B, now working through employer-based green card in private practice... You are somewhat more limited on the basis of places you can apply, however. Some hospitals just wont sponsor the H1B no matter what. If you can (and willing to do a waiver), J1 is very easy. It just requires that you work in a J1 waiver position (ie. rural underserved area) for 3 years.

 

[Ariee]

Ya, you should probably be on an F1 student visa right now (not a J1) and that can be converted to an H1b= green card soon. J1 is a death penalty. My relative is a PRS and he had a J1 after GS when relative went into PRS, getting the J1 waived was a bigger battle then getting the PRS position. I reccomend you consult a lawyer immediately. The consult is free, or at least see the ppl at your medschool who deal with the visa stuff...

G'luck!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Check out this thread.

 

[cassieandcheeta]

Check out this thread.

thank you so much everyone!