Hi guys,

So I spent some time trying to figure out visa requirements for Canadians studying in Caribbean medical schools to ultimately practice in US. Please correct the following I gathered and answer any of the questions if you would:

Basic Sciences in the Caribbeans:
Island Temporary Residence Visa

Q. How difficult is this process and how long does it take?

Clinical Rotations in US:
B-1 Business/Pleasure Visa*
F-1 Academic Student Visa
M-1 Nonacademic/Vocational Student Visa

Q1. I looked into F-1/M-1 Student Visas, since I thought 3rd & 4th year clinical rotations through Green-Book hospitals in US would qualify as 'educational'. But it seems like Canadians among other non-US IMGs, cannot obtain the I-20 form for neither Student Visas, as their medical institutions in the Caribbeans would not be listed under approved schools by BCIS. Am I wrong? Would at least the US teaching hospitals in which you rotate for clerkships satisfy the requirements of BCIS? Or is B-1 Business Visa the only way to go?
Q2. How long is B-1 Visa valid for? Is there a renewal option?
Q3. Is B-1 Visa difficult to obtain?
Q4. When should I apply for B-1 Visa (How long does it take for approval)?

Post Graduate Residency Training in US:
H-1B Visa
J-1 Visa
Permanent Residence Visa

Q1. My fiance is a dual citizenship, being a Canadian born in America. We will be starting medical school together this September. We learned that there is a Family Sponsored Immigration Visa, and since he has a permanent address and required minimum income in US, that we would qualify. It seems like, however, there is a period of probation in which the immigrant is pending full approval of the visa application- even though the initial petition is accepted. During this time of two years, I can apply for change of status to be able to legally work in the US as an alien. Now my question is, would this be sufficient to obtain residency as a paid employee of US?
Q2. Would this whole process save me the trouble/time/conditions associated with H-1B or J-1 visa? I'm not sure how difficult this application for work permit as an alien waiting for Permanent Residence Visa would be, or how long it will take. I was hoping to find out if this would prove to be more complicated, in which case I rather just go with the H1-B.

I would sincerely appreciate any input! I already tried calling the US Immigrations for these case specific questions, but all I get is prerecorded messages and big long distance bills. Those times that I do manage to get a live person on the other side, he/she is in the least bit interested in trying to learn what my inquiries are, only suggesting me to consult a lawyer, or putting me back to the same prerecorded messages again- I can't remember how many different numbers I jotted down as they referred me to different people, departments...

Help please! Thanks in advance

Basic Sciences in the Caribbeans:
Island Temporary Residence Visa

Peice of cake. Anyone can get this temporay visa.


Clinical Rotations in US:
B-1 Business/Pleasure Visa*

Again, very easy. Just take a letter from yout medical school to the border and wait like one hour and they will stamp your passport with B-1 status and give you a white card (the I-94).

that's it.

B-1's are given for (I think) 6 months at a time. I got mine for one year. Renewed it once, same process. . .go to the border, wait an hour etc

Post Graduate Residency Training in US:
H-1B Visa
J-1 Visa


This I have written in detail. I can post in here, but the moderator of this forum is likely to delete it.

So email me at: mleprep2003@aol.com

and I will email the info to you.

Thanks for the information anoncan! Just a few more question- is a letter from a non-US medical school in the Caribbeans sufficient for B-1 status? I always thought this process requires a lengthy paperwork complete with fees and supporting documents. From the information you provided above, it seems like I can just take my valid Canadian passport and a letter from my medical school in the Caribbeans to any US-Canada border, and they will issue a white card that very day good for upto 1 year? All sounds too simple to me! As well, a letter of exactly what nature should be asked for at your medical school? Will the medical school know what I'm looking for?


I emailed you at the above address. If the information has already been posted on this forum, I have read it! It helped alot, thanks. I'm wondering though, why anyone would go for J-1 exchange visa, when H-1B sounds a lot easier to obtain. For one, J-1 visa requires you to write and pass MCC EE. As well, you're deported back home for two years after completing residency in US, even though you can't work as a doctor in Canada. Do US hospitals prefer applicants with J-1 over H-1B?