hello fellow canadians,

this does not apply to residency positions if you have already graduated and are seeking an J or an H visa.

i am a 2nd year student of SGU in Grenada and have just learned due to new regulations of B-1 visitor VISA's we can not stay in the country longer than 6 months at a time for clinical rotations. it used to be 12 months but due to issues surrounding 9/11 we are lumped together as visitors.

we have been told that we have to do our rotations 6 months in US then go to UK then re-apply for an extension in US then return to the US then again go back to UK and then back to US again.

if anyone from ROSS, or AUC, or St. Matthews, or SABA can tell me what their schools are doing to get around this problem could you please post some info here?

Unless the new policy was in effect after July 2004, my husband was given a 12 months B1 Visa at end of June this year to start his rotation on July 5. School just gave him a letter to present to the custom which basically states whereabout he's going to do his rotation, and starting on what date, and he will not engage in employment activities. We plan on getting a same kind of letter around the expiry date, just exit and re-enter with a new B1 visa.

Do you have to go back to the UK, or can you come back to Canada?

And how long does it take to get each extension?

IndianBabu

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SGU SOM, Class of 2009
An ex-samosa technician with a big heart from Canada.

My husband is at MUA, this is the first time he got his B1 visa, so don't know about the time of extension. We are not thinking extension, rather, just THINKING go out and come back with a new B1 visa. Hope it will work. It was so easy to get the B1. Went to the border, pay $6; that's all. I don't understand why one need to go to UK?

Hope someone in the fouth year clinicals and recently renewed or obtained a new B1 visa can share their experiences.

Why not do some rotations in Canada where you don't need a visa, or is that disallowed?

-S

cant rotate in canada because our commie country does not love home grown kids who grew up, went to school here, have multiple degrees, served in the military etc...

I grew up that Commie country too. You can't do cores, (I hear U of T will let you if you beg, but if you just want to get the hell out, then don't beg) but electives, yes. It just seems much easier than UK, unless you have a UK passport

-S

most of the time they give u a 6 mth visa at the border.. if u drive across or fly across...

then when ur visa expires.. just take a letter from the school that says u are doing clinicals..
and drive back across the border or fly back.. and US immigration will give u another 6 mth visa for $6..

its really no big deal and its not really difficult at all..
depending on who u get at the border.. most will give u a 6 mo visa.. but sometimes they will give u 12 months.. last time i went across they gave me 8 months.. so go figure..

but its not worth getting worked up over..
just go home to canada once every 6 mths for a weekend and just get another visa.. really no big deal at all...

Maybe this will change if Kerry is elected?!

OMG this is an old post!~