H1b Research to MD: IMG Fears G.C. Rejection
A recent news article featured on the Northwestern University website featured a 40-Year Dr. Angelo Meliton, an IMG who completed a medicine residency from Phillipines and came as a research fellow to the University of Chicago Medical center (possibly a J1 research scholar) who was then hired as a research worker on a H1b visa. After four years of research, Dr. Meliton would like to switch to a residency / fellowship, but fears that his Green card process might be periled.Like the article says:
"He wants U.S. permanent residency, or his "green card," but knows his chances of getting it may fall if he steps outside his research field.".
also mentioned was a statement mentioned by the spokesperson of the USCIS (US Citizen and Immigration Services) :
"When you’re here on a visa, you’re here to do the job the visa indicates, If you’re here to do research, then you need to do research"
Which makes me wonder if IMGs who get into research jobs on H1b i.e. "H1b research jobs" and then shift to residency / fellowships have experienced any such green card roadblocks.
On the contrary, an IMG friend who did a years work on H1b at at a prestigious university and is now doing a residency in Internal Medicine on a H1b visa, plans to have his own Green card done later using the EB1 track, used for individuals of 'extraordinary capability', since it was apparently done by someone he knew...[LOL - 'friend of a friend' evidence - but hey thats the freedom a blog enjoys ;-) ]. Apparently a green card lawyer told him his 3-plus publications in major journals will make that easier.
Hmm...food for thought. comments about opinions and experiences welcome !
Dr. Meliton says he learned that The United States "needs researchers more than doctors in clinical practice"
Read Story and Watch Video Here
Also read:
- Tips for IMGs seeking Research opportunities in USA
- Advantages of Clinical Research / Publications for IMGs seeking Residency / Fellowships
Search keywords to this article
- "shifting from H1b Research H1b Residency or H1b Fellowship"
- "TRansfering H1 from research to residency"
Labels: Green Card, Research J1
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posted by Digitaldoc, MD at 10:54 PM
Comments on "H1b Research to MD: IMG Fears G.C. Rejection"
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Anonymous said ... (April 3, 2008 5:35 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (April 3, 2008 2:42 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (April 4, 2008 2:58 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (April 5, 2008 3:02 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (April 5, 2008 7:19 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (April 14, 2008 2:38 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (April 18, 2008 12:46 PM) :
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raman said ... (December 6, 2008 3:02 PM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (December 6, 2008 4:10 PM) :
Post Your Comment !I would like to add what I have heard.I have a senior aquaintance who had several publications during his residency and fellow years.He applied for the EB1 GC but was frankly denied.It is not so easy and 3 plus publications is hardly anything!!
Thanks for the knowledge addition :-)
digitaldoc, thanks u very much for the information u provide.i need a small advise.if some is on H-1 b research job and going to get residency next year,means at the end of 2nd year, his 3yrs h-1 period is going to finish, then vl the institution is going to sponser h-1 b
for one year, of how it works, pls inform me,lot of my frnds are waiting for ur response.
thanks a lot.
my relative got accepted for EB1.
he did IM residency, cards fellowhip, interventional cards superspecialty training, then applied for EB1.
he had good publications(10),
good univ positions as assistant professor in robertwoodjohnson UMDNJ. then switched to pvt practice b4 applying.
the irony is that inspite being approved for EB1. he got rejected on security grounds.(post 9/11 effect, maybe.)
phew!
Answer 1: (Total H1b period possible = 6 years (3+3). Residencies are a 1 year contract renewed each year, so when your contract for 2nd year is renewed by the program, the H1b is will be sponsored by the program too
Answer 2: Phew Indeed ! EB1's a hard but to crack then
hi digital doc, thanks alot for the all information u post,god bless you,i have small querry. i am doing research as a volunteer, but i can get h-1 visa on research for my position.do u want me to continue as a volunteer or
get an h-1.as gettting an h-1 may eat away my 6 yrs h-1 period which r useful for fellowship.please give me an advice. thanks lot
Its a decision you need to make based on your situation:
If your current visa status or financial situation does not allow you a US stay long enough to do quality research and publications, then it may be worth it considering that first we need to worry about getting into a residency. Plus many programs would rather be willing to allow H1 transfers than sponsor a new H1.
If the above situation does not matter to you, then yes, you could perhaps continue on volunteer basis and save up visa time
Eligibility of EB1,, hope this helps to know about the criteria of applying for that,, and,, it seems to be tough enough,,
To be eligible for this classification, the physician must be able to show that he or she is a person of extraordinary ability in the field of science that has been demonstrated by sustained national and international acclaim. The immigration regulations define “extraordinary ability” in the field of science as a “level of expertise that the person is one of the small percentage who has arisen to the very top” of the field. Such stature can be demonstrated with evidence that the doctor has received a major award for excellence in the field, such as the Nobel Prize, or at least three of the following:
* Receipt of a national or international prize for excellence in the field of science
* Membership in associations that require outstanding achievement of members, as judged by recognized experts
* Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the physician
* The doctor’s original scientific or scholarly contributions of major significance
* The doctor’s authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media
* The doctor has been employed in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation
* Participation on a panel or as an individual to judge the work of others in the same or allied field of specialization
* The doctor’s receipt of a high salary as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence
Thank you for the very detailed explanation Raman- will help many readers !