THE USMLE STEP 3 & H1B VISA CONNECTION
Somehow I found myself afternoon-snoozing more often while studying for the Step 3 than the other USMLE steps. Always made me feel guilty, those naps, but not anymore - Coz I Read this :-D :-D :-D .
Before we begin to look at the USMLE Step 3 and H1b connection, a quick Trivia: Did you know that before 1991, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) were allowed an H1b Visa ONLY for research and teaching purposes - not for residencies / fellowships or any clinical practice ?
Following is an extract from an archived page on the Department of Health and Human Services's website (DHHS) :
"Before 1991, foreign doctors were granted H-1B visas to come to the United States only to conduct research or to teach. In 1991, an amendment to the Immigration Act of 1990 established new visa eligibility for foreign doctors to seek temporary work practicing clinical medicine in the United States." "As a requirement for obtaining an H-1B visa to practice medicine in the United States, foreign doctors must demonstrate that they have the expertise to practice quality medicine anywhere in the country"
And what does Step 3 Assess ? Your expertise to practice quality medicine as a professional in the American Health System - Put this and the above together, which tells you why the Step 3 requirement for H1b visa.
Now, Lets analyze some common IMG doubts in this context:
Q. Will I need a Step 3 Score to apply for an H1b Visa even for a Direct Fellowship without doing a Residency First?
A. Yeah ! The clause applies for any IMG needing an H1b visa for medical practice as an MD in any position - a resident or a fellow
Read about Direct Fellowships Here.
Q. Will I need a Step 3 even if I already had a H1b from another Employer and were transferring sponsorship ?
A. Yes - A passing Step 3 score is still needed BEFORE you qualify for H1b for the Residency
Q. I am an IMG but wish to apply for non-clinical research jobs or other management, computer, etc. jobs..Do I still need a Step 3 Score for an H1b ?
A. No ! The Step 3 is only for those positions where ECFMG comes into play - and thats residency and / or a fellowship :-). A friend of mine, an IMG, did an MBA and is now a business analyst - he didn't take any USMLE steps...
Q. I started my Residency on a J1 Visa - and took the USMLE Step 3 , so may I now convert to H1b Visa ?
A. No ! Once a J1 - ALWAYS a J1 ..he he..well not really, you can "convert" to H1B status after your residency or fellowship in the form of a J1-waiver job , NOT in the middle of your residency, NOT EVEN to a H1b fellowship directly after a J1-Residency, unless the fellowship is a waiver-job in itself, which I haven't heard of yet.
AND remember - before you qualify for the J1-waiver job on an H1b, you still need a passing Step 3 score...
Search keywords to this blog post:
- "How is Step 3 related to H1b - whats the relation"
- "Is USMLE Step 3 passing compulsary for getting residency H1b"
Labels: H1b Visa, USMLE Step 3
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posted by Digitaldoc, MD at 12:28 AM
Comments on "THE USMLE STEP 3 & H1B VISA CONNECTION"
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giya said ... (October 7, 2007 8:01 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (October 7, 2007 9:29 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (October 11, 2007 12:25 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (October 11, 2007 12:45 AM) :
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Harsha Vardhan said ... (January 9, 2008 7:31 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (January 10, 2008 4:23 PM) :
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confused said ... (January 11, 2008 4:55 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (February 6, 2008 1:37 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (April 2, 2008 1:02 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (April 2, 2008 7:10 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (December 3, 2008 10:01 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (December 3, 2008 12:20 PM) :
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Lees said ... (December 4, 2008 1:59 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (December 5, 2008 5:04 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (December 5, 2008 5:07 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (January 4, 2009 7:23 AM) :
Post Your Comment !HI,
hELP PLEASE...I want to apply for H1 BUT has not answered step 3 yet...would u please tell me when should i be ready with step 3 score if i want to go match 2008 and H1 visa..........request early reply please.thanks in advance...
giya
In technical terms, you need to have passed the Step 3 before applying for a H1b visa. The fast-track premium processing H1b visa takes 2 weeks.
So technically speaking, you could have Step 3 scores in hand by June end and do it.
But to be on the safe side and since,
increasingly, residency programs would like to see a Step 3 pass before they submit the rank order list, its good for you to Have the scores in hand by January 2007 for the 2008 match.
Anyways, earlier the better - some H1b community programs prefer candidates with Step 3 done at the the time of applying even !
I am going to take step 3 in november 2007 .Do the programs to which I applied to so far and sent the USMLE Transcript can see that I will get Step 3 in November or is absolutely necessary to select "the automatic retransmision of USMLE transcript" ? So far I have he ECFMG Certificate and applied for Step 3 in Nov 2007.
asap reply please .Thanks
Unless you mentioned on the CAF that you will take the Step 3 in November, they would not know that you are taking your exam then. Also, unless you transmit the USMLE transmit to them after Step 3 results, (if not kept automatic) - they will not know your Step 3 scores either.
hi i am planning to apply for 2009 match and want to get into a residency with a h1b so what is the best time for me to take it??
and what scores on step 1 and ck will be good enough to even matcj into a residency provided that i do some observerships also
To get an exam date for 2008, you will need to Plan to book a date for Step 3 before the start of Sept. 2008 - which means you must be ECFMG certified by then to be eligible to take the Step 3.
Also read about 2009 Match planning here
Scores - higher the better :-) Always aim for the highest...so aiming for 99 / 99 is always advised ...as they say - if you shoot for the sky, you can hope to reach the clouds, aim for the clouds and you can hope to reach the birds
Hi,
Can you please tell me if a good score on step3 can make up for a poor step2 ck score, if the step1 score is good?
so if two out of three scores are good can this make a difference?
Hey there,
Im an Fmg from Pakistan with canadian citizenship..I wanted to know whether i can get my residency on a TN visa, and does being a canadian citizen make it easier to obtain a H1-B visa providing ive taken step 3?
Cheers
Dear Digitaldoc,
I am a big fan of urs and thank u for helping thousands of IMGs like me who seem to have doubts throughout our way to a program..
I got 92 in step 1 and plannning for 2009 match preferably for H1 program.I am yet to take both CK and CS.I am planning for CK in June/July and CS in July/August(owing to some financial concerns).I know my ecfmg certficate will be delayed and I will be applying late for the programs.I am also planning to get some usce and may be lucky to get couple of Lor s from US physician.
I want to know whether I can apply for step 3 in jan 2009 and have my reult by the time match is announced.
Or this plan is next to impossible for my 2009 match dream?!!
Please advise me digidoc.(BTW,my visa got rejected last month that I had applied for CS this month scheduled at LA,as I dint have my result yet)
Answer 1:
Good Step 1 and Step 2 (and US clinical experience, if required) are often the first screening criteria when a program gets thousands of applications. Pubications are eye-catching too - if you look at the 2007 Charting Match Outcomes report, Step 2 CK and Number of Publicatiosn had a big coorelation to matchin probability .
That said, a spectacular Step 3 score would certainly be eye-catching when you pass through the intial screen.
I would rather advise an IMG first lookout for US clinical / research experiences and prepare for step 3 along side, if not done already and when there is not too much time left until applying
Answer 2:
Do read about Can TN visas be used for GME Residency / Fellowships
Answer 3:
Glad you find this resource of practical use. You dont need to be ECFMG certified to be able to apply (except for a few programs that need that or those offering extremely early prematches, indeed I would rather ask you to apply with Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores in hand on first of September itself. Applying for Step 3 will be possible two weeks after you get the ECFMG certificate once your passing Step 2 CS arrives. Refer to ECFMG.org score reporing schedule for Step 2 CS reporting and project accordingly.
And yeah, dont mess up Step 2 CK scores to be in hurry :-) Good scores are always better. so take your step 2 CK well - but also spend say 30 mins each day to look for US clinical experience and if successful schedule them after Step 2 CK. After step 2 CK , get that USCE and study for Step 2 CS - CS Takes 2 weeks of prep. :-)
g/l
Hi,
I am an IMG and i want to know if one fails step 3 then what difference that makes if u r going for the interview and in the match?
Hi DD
I want to know if one fails in step 3 what happens in interview and match
Hey Digitaldoc,
I've yet to complete My Step 3 exam and am hoping to take it in the first week of Febuary. Will I still be eligible for an H1 b visa(for the 2009 match) or am I too late?
A very speedy reply would be appreciated,
Lees
Hello Dr. Lees - yes, if you pass it in the first attempt and if the program is ready to wait and enlist you on their ROL (make sure you mention to the programs about you being flexible about J1 - but that you prefer H1 , coz if you strictly say H1, they may not want to take the risk of putting you on their Rank order list pending Step 3 results)
Any failed step is an obvious negative flavor, though If you have not had previous post-graduate training it should still be ok. However if you have touted your post-graduate training on your application, tons of externship etc, and yet flunked the Step 3, that might appear inconsistent with the experience you mention.
If possible - The best way out is to keep transcript transmission on 'manual', if while applying, you only had Step 3 to finish..that way, if you flunk you can withold reporting and only report it later when you retake and pass it.
hi i am writing step 2ck in may 09' and the cs in august09. i did step one already. I am an international student and I want to apply for the 2011 match for a
H1B visa. I will have my medical degree by feb 2010. When is the latest that i shud apply for the step 3 in order to make the match??