Hi,
I've read a lot of materials about residency is the States for Canadian citizens. I just what to summarize info I've got and ask a couple question.
I'm IMG and have Canadian citizenship. I've done Step 1 and preparing for steps 2 CK and CS. I want to find residency in the States and stay there after it's done. So my options are:
1) pass Canadian MCCEE exam (and maybe Part 1 exam since it's recommended for getting "Statement of Need"), get J-1 visa, complete residency in US and get back to Canada and after 2 years try to get H1-B visa in US hospital (there is J-1 waiver option to stay in States, but I don't consider it at this point)
2) in addition to Step 2 exams pass Step 3, find residency in the States and then apply for H1-B visa. After residency - stay in US and apply for Green Card.
Obviously second option is more preferable for me, but as I understand there are not to many programs in US that support H1-B visa. So my question is what are chances to find residency program with H1-B option with let say average USMLE exams scores and good but not native English? As I said before, there is a lot of info on web, but I want to hear from people who've had similar choice in the past.

Thanks

I'm currently in the Caribbean, so havn't done this, but we did have a talk recently by an immigration lawyer.

If you get a J visa for your residency, there is a loophole in US immigration law that allows you to work in the US during your two years post residency on a regular H visa, as long as you are LIVING in Canada. So you can live in Windsor, and work in Detroit, etc.

Something to consider. Also, the J visa is only 5 years, so if you are considering a residency/fellowship option that is longer, then you will have to get an H visa.

Is it possible to split a fellowship??...eg. making the 2 first years in the US and the third one in Canada? I bet it just depend if the new spot recognizes those 2 past years?

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Are you 100% positive about this? That would be just great!

I am repeating what the immigration lawyer told me. For exact information, do check with a lawyer, 'cause I'm not one. (-:

What I understand is that the two year post-J visa requirement requires you to "live" in your home country for two years, and doesn't say anything about where you work.

Living in Windsor and working in Detroit would be worse than working in any underserved area (in the world)...lol

But seriously, underserved areas (for the J-1 waiver) are not only small towns, but they include the inner city in many cities. Gaining valuable experience in rough areas is not a bad way to spend 3 years to get American residency.

Or just marry an American and stop worrying.

Marrying american does not change your J1-status woes. You still need to fulfill the 2-year home-country physical-presence requirement, unless you can prove that fulfilling said requirement will result in "exceptional hardship" (or unless you get a waiver through the other channels), and that's a rather tough sell.

Btw, J1s are good for up to 7 yrs.

please keep in mind there is a limit of 100 letters of needed only given from ontario and i think upto 50 from other provinces and some have restrictions. please check on this is impt.

H1-B is the best option. Do all your clinicals green. Get H1-b and your set

Nope, the J-1 VISA is for 7 years. How do I know...I'm on one.

I went the J-1 route because it is easier to jump through the hoops, I don't mind returning to canada after my training (who knows I might even stay in canada), and if I stay in the US there are ways around the 2 year rule.

My bad. Yes, the J visa is the 7 year one. The H visa is only 5 years.

2cents, did you write the Canadian Exams?