There are several types of VISA to the US. In this program, we're explaining the ones that related to the programs.
They are B-1, J-1/J-2, and H-1/H-4. This is a summary of VISA process. For further information, please visit HERE.
1. B-1 VISA
This is the visa that you will generally need to obtain when planning to come to the United States to take the CSA (Clinical Skills), and later, for residency
interviews. The B-1 is the nonimmigrant visa for persons who intend
to visit the United States temporarily for business. In your case, the
“business” will be taking the CSA or appearing for residency interviews.
This information is based on the official Web page of the U.S.
Department of State.
QUALIFYING FOR THE VISA
Applicants for visitor visas to the United States must show that they
qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The
presumption is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant.
Therefore, applicants for visas must overcome this presumption by
demonstrating that:
1. The purpose of their trip is to enter the United States for business.
In your case, you will have to present the documentation of your registration
for the CSA or the interview call letters.
2. They plan to remain for a specific limited period.
3. They have a residence outside the United States as well as other binding
obligations that will ensure their return abroad at the conclusion
of the visit. The binding obligations that ensure your return to your country
could be in the form of strong family ties, material possessions, or your
employment with a well-respected institution in your country.
Applying for a Visitor Visa
Applicants for visitor visas should apply at the American embassy or
consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence.
Although visa applicants may apply at any United States consulate
office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the
country of permanent residence.
Required Documentation
1. An application Form DS-156, completed and signed. Blank forms are available
without charge at all U.S. consular offices.
2. A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least
6 months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a
visa must make an application.
3. Two photographs 1 and 1/2 inches square (37 37 mm) for each applicant,
showing full face, without head covering, against a light background.
A person whose passport contains a previously issued visitor visa should inquire
about special expedited procedures available at most consular offices for
issuance of a new visitor visa.
2. J-1/J-2 VISA
The J-1 is the visa used by IMGs to be able to perform service as a
member of the medical profession or to receive graduate medical education (residency)
in the United States. Under the provision of Public Law 94-484,
certain alien physicians are required to pass parts 1 and 2 of the
National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) or an equivalent examination
before they can perform services as members of the medical
profession. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has recognized
USMLE steps 1 and 2 and the FMGEMS as the equivalent of
NBME 1 and 2. The J visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs
designated by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). USIA has
designated ECFMG to sponsor foreign national physicians as J-1
exchange visitors for participation in accredited programs of graduate
medical education in the United States. The objectives of this program
are to enhance international exchange in the field of medicine and
promote mutual understanding between the people of the United
States and those in other countries through the exchange of persons,
knowledge, and skills.
Basic Requirements for a J-1 Visa
First, the applicant should have passed USMLE 1 and 2. Second, the applicant
should have a valid standard ECFMG certificate. The ECFMG certificate
is valid for 2 years after you have passed USMLE 1 and 2 and
the ECFMG. Once you enter an accredited residency program, you are
eligible to have your certificate permanently validated. If you do not
enter a residency program right after taking the exams, keep the expiration
date on your certificate in mind so that you do not find yourself
with a residency prospect and no valid ECFMG certificate.
Third, the applicant should hold a contract or letter of offer for a
position in the accredited program.
Fourth, the applicant should provide a letter from the ministry of
health in the country of nationality or of last legal residence. This is a
written assurance by the home country that they need specialists in the
area in which the exchange visitor will receive training in the United
States. ECFMG provides you with the format of the letter. The organization
insists on the exact language as stated in the form letter. You will
have to ask the office of the ministry of health in your country about
the office that deals with these letters. The same office also publishes
the list of specializations that your country needs. This list differs for
different countries, and you will have to see if the field of your training
is included in that list. However, this requirement does not seem to be
a big problem for people who want to apply for J-1 visa.
After you sign a contract for residency with a program, you will be
sent an application package. Once the application process is complete,
you will receive an IAP-66 form from your residency program. You
then need to go to the embassy in your country to apply for the visa.
The application process is just like that for a tourist visa. You have
to fill out form DS-156, which can be obtained at any U.S. consulate
free of charge or downloaded from the Internet at HERE. This simple form can be filled out on the day of your
visit to the embassy. You need to bring your IAP-66 form, a valid passport,
a photograph, a nonrefundable fee, and a visa fee if applicable.
Once again, you have to demonstrate that you have ties that will
attract you back to your country.
3. H-1/H-4 VISA
The H-1 visa is called a temporary worker visa. As it applies to doctors,
it means that you should have a residency position in hand when you
apply. Your employer also must complete some paperwork. For this visa,
you do not have to get any papers from ECFMG, unlike the J-1 visa.
To be eligible for this visa, you must have cleared USMLE 3.
This test should be taken in almost all situations.
The H-1 is a good visa if you plan to stay in the United States.
There is no obligation for an H-1 resident to return to the
country of last legal residence, unlike the J-1. Even while you
are doing a residency on this visa, you can try to apply for a
green card. Most IMGs are unaware of such possibilities.
You must have passed USMLE step 3 before you can apply for an H-1 visa
for residency training. There is a fixed quota for H-1 visas every year; this quota is
decided for all professionals together. H-1 petitions are granted
on merit, but the doors are closed once the quota is exhausted.
A new law, AC21 (Oct. 2000), states that applicants hired by
institutions of higher education, related or affiliated nonprofit
entity, or nonprofit organization, will be exempt from the H-1B
cap. This is great news, as many residency programs can fall in
one of these stated categories. There is a limit on the total period (6 years)
you can stay in the United States on an H-1 visa.
Required Documentation
1. An application form DS-156, completed and signed.
2. A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity
date at least 6 months beyond the applicant's intended period
of stay. If more than one person is included in the passport,
each person desiring a visa must make an application.
3. A 1 and 1/2 inch square (37 37 mm) photograph for each
applicant, showing the full face against a light background.
4. A notice of approval, Form I-797. If you receive this approval
while you are in the United States, you will have to go to
Mexico or Canada to get the visa stamped on your passport.
But as long as you have a valid I-797, you have legal status in
the United States.
References:
1. The U.S. Department of State
2. First Aid for IMG
3. Google |
