What do Canadians do for 2 years!

[Tyerat]

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Hi everyone. Apparently my friend who wants to go to the caribbean/australia for medical school. I know for us americans we dont need to apply for work visa after going to caribbean. However, canadians need to apply for the work visa J1 to be able to do their residency in the United States. Now after they are done their residency they need to return to their home country for 2 years. Now my friend is wary of this fact as there is nothing to do while you are away from the US for 2 years. She was wondering what Canadians do while they are away for 2 years to pay off the $$$loans. Please Advice.

 

[driedcaribou]

Hi everyone. Apparently my friend who wants to go to the caribbean/australia for medical school. I know for us americans we dont need to apply for work visa after going to caribbean. However, canadians need to apply for the work visa J1 to be able to do their residency in the United States. Now after they are done their residency they need to return to their home country for 2 years. Now my friend is wary of this fact as there is nothing to do while you are away from the US for 2 years. She was wondering what Canadians do while they are away for 2 years to pay off the $$$loans. Please Advice.

It's something I've always wondered and despite my asking, no one ever tells me.....

The majority of residency programs in the US are recognized in Canada so you can work in Canada if you are not picky where you live.

I have heard anecdotally that if you work in an area of need though, that this 2 year requirement may not apply?

 

[Sage880]

You have to be away for two years because the J1 visa isn't ment to steal doctors away from their home country. If Canada doesn't want you because they're (stupidly) not going to recognize your medical school then they will have to sign a "No Objection Statement". They pretty much have to if they're not going to allow you to seek employment in your chosen profession. That will only work though if the US still wants you as well (like you'll be working in an area of need).

I go to school in Ireland but want to work in the US. I wish I went to the Caribbean because a) you get to do your clinical years in the US and b) I will probably have to go back to Canada after my residency (or do one in Canada) and I think I'd rather work in the US.

 

[Westpua]

Apply for H-1B visa instead, or get J1 waiver and work in under serviced area instead (30 spots per state per year, not sure about that).

 

[McGillGrad]

It is easy to get a waiver as long as you work in an underserved area. This sounds serious, but an underserved area could be in the middle of nowhere OR it could be in the middle of the inner city.

You would have to be stubborn or foolish to go back to Canada for 2 years. Although there are research opportunities available n Canadian institutions if that if your goal. You could also work in the private sector (pharmaceuticals, medical machines, consultant...etc).

Keep in mind that the J1 waiver program is predominantly for primary care positions, so you may find it hard to find a position as a radiologist or pathologist.

 

[Sage880]

Apply for H-1B visa instead, or get J1 waiver and work in under serviced area instead (30 spots per state per year, not sure about that).

I can't get a H1b unless I finish step 3. Or are you talking about switching to an H1b visa after finishing your residency and getting a J1 waiver?

You guys seem to know something about this... If I graduate from an Irish school, do a 3 or 4 year EM residency in the US, can I apply for a position in an ER in Canada right after?

I'm trying to decide between doing a EM residency in the US, doing EM in Canada, or doing 2+1 FM/EM in Canada. I guess a lot will depend on what kind of offers I get around match time. But the US match is before the Canadian one so unless I get a pre-match offer, or don't get anything in the US, I'll probably end up in the states I imagine.

 

[McGillGrad]

Actually the H1B burden is accepted by the residency program and step 3 must be completed in a certain timeframe. Finding a hospital that will sponsor you is the hard part, not step 3.

As long as the Canadian Medical Association accepts the US training as on-par (i.e. same number of years) then you should not have serious problems...BUT you still have to find a place to take you and you have to make sure to take the Canadian boards while taking the USMLE exams (even if Ontario considers them equal). You don't want to take any chances.

EM is Canada will be next to impossible because the only people who have successfully matched into Canadian residencies have done so through primary care.

I can't get a H1b unless I finish step 3. Or are you talking about switching to an H1b visa after finishing your residency and getting a J1 waiver?

You guys seem to know something about this... If I graduate from an Irish school, do a 3 or 4 year EM residency in the US, can I apply for a position in an ER in Canada right after?

I'm trying to decide between doing a EM residency in the US, doing EM in Canada, or doing 2+1 FM/EM in Canada. I guess a lot will depend on what kind of offers I get around match time. But the US match is before the Canadian one so unless I get a pre-match offer, or don't get anything in the US, I'll probably end up in the states I imagine.

 

[Tyerat]

It is easy to get a waiver as long as you work in an underserved area. This sounds serious, but an underserved area could be in the middle of nowhere OR it could be in the middle of the inner city.

You would have to be stubborn or foolish to go back to Canada for 2 years. Although there are research opportunities available n Canadian institutions if that if your goal. You could also work in the private sector (pharmaceuticals, medical machines, consultant...etc).

Keep in mind that the J1 waiver program is predominantly for primary care positions, so you may find it hard to find a position as a radiologist or pathologist.

Thanks everyone for their input. So my understanding is that once you get a residency with J1 in some underserved area and after your training you get a waiver to stay their longer to help out instead of going back to canada and trying to work there with your US equivalent degree which canada might not even consider. Now the next question becomes that how much longer would you stay in that underserved area before you get the appropiate visa to move on to some private practise say if you are a FP. It just seems for canadians this is a hassle, but if you are willing to go through it, than you have a great oppurtunity waiting. Thats my take on it...

 

[McGillGrad]

Thanks everyone for their input. So my understanding is that once you get a residency with J1 in some underserved area and after your training you get a waiver to stay their longer to help out instead of going back to canada and trying to work there with your US equivalent degree which canada might not even consider.

No, what happens is that you go to any place you like that will offer you a J1 Visa (which is most places). Then after training, you apply to an underserved area and then you sign a contract to work there for a minimum of 3 years. Then there is a possibility of converting the J1 to an H1B visa.

Now the next question becomes that how much longer would you stay in that underserved area before you get the appropiate visa to move on to some private practise say if you are a FP. It just seems for canadians this is a hassle, but if you are willing to go through it, than you have a great oppurtunity waiting. Thats my take on it...

Well, many people marry Americans for love or convenience and some get the J1 converted to a H1B and that gives you access to a green card.

 

[Meatwad]

What do Canadians do for two years? Probably party. That's what Canadians do best, at least from what I've seen.👍

... I have no real constructive advice, so I'll bow out now. But I'll go out on: Canadian beer > American Beer.

 

[McGillGrad]

What do Canadians do for two years? Probably party. That's what Canadians do best, at least from what I've seen.👍

... I have no real constructive advice, so I'll bow out now. But I'll go out on: Canadian beer > American Beer.

Well, people in Montreal party! People in Ottawa drink beer until the women look good and people in Toronto drink until they can pull the sticks out of their purple puckers!

 

[Tyerat]

No, what happens is that you go to any place you like that will offer you a J1 Visa (which is most places). Then after training, you apply to an underserved area and then you sign a contract to work there for a minimum of 3 years. Then there is a possibility of converting the J1 to an H1B visa.



Well, many people marry Americans for love or convenience and some get the J1 converted to a H1B and that gives you access to a green card.

Thanks alot McGillGrad for your help. Appreciate it.