Hey guys,
I am a Canadian citizen doing my medical degree in Ireland at UCD. I want to write the USMLEs and get an internal medicine residency in the US on a J-1 visa. I hear the H1-B would be really hard for me to get as there is a limited amount given out in the US. After I finish it seems like I would have 2 options. I could either get a J-1 waiver and work in the US in an underserviced area for 4 or 5 years and then eventually get an H1-B visa or greencard. Or if I didnt get the J-1 waiver I would have to return to Canada for 2 years doing a fellowship or research before I could apply back to the US for a job in internal medicine and have a hospital sponsor me on the H1-B.
RECENTLY I HAVE BECOME WORRIED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND A JOB IN THE US AFTER MY US RESIDENCY. If i get a J-1 waiver I would be able to get a job in an underserviced area but if I go back to Canada for 2 years and then apply for IM jobs in the US after my 2 years return of service in Canada WOULD I BE ABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT AND A HOSPITAL TO SPONSOR ME ON THE H1-B? Many Canadians from Ireland have taken this route on the J-1 visa in the past BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF CONTACTING THEM TO SEE IF THIS ROUTE ACTUALLY WORKS and if they are getting jobs in the US after their two years back in Canada. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about this? Do you think if I got a residency in the US I would be pretty much guaranteed a job in the US eventually?
Are there any Canadians that have proven that this route is possible or know of any Canadians that have successfully done this?

Wow, you need to chill out, seriously. As long as you are board certified (take an exam with the IM board) and have passed all steps of the USMLE, you are a hot commodity anywhere, even if you have gone to Canada for 2 years. The question now becomes not -whether- you find a job, but which job do you take... with which group, etc. etc. Also, there are many hospitals which WILL sponsor the H1-B, although some very prestigious ones won't (like Barnes-Jewish Hospital for example) -- Vanderbilt, however, is prestigious and will sponsor an H1-B. If you are really really curious, go on FREIDA: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html and do a search for your favorite programs and call them up or look up their website to see if they'll sponsor you. Now go back to studying!

Dear EdmontonOilers:

Have been there and done that.

I was on a J1 visa during residency and fellowship - did IM, then Rheumatology. My biggest problem finding a job was that I did subspecialty training -- I was trying to get a J1 waiver job then but the Conrad 30 started at that time, and most states did not want to include subspecialists, they only wanted OB, Primary Care, Peds. I don't know if that is still the case now, you might want to check on that. Anyway, I ended going back to my home country for two years. But during that time I found an employer who was willing to sponsor me on an H1 visa. So I am back in the US practicing. I had no problems whatsoever with the consulate (in fact, the USCIS, and the consulate will prob not deny the H1 visa as long as all your documents are in order -- just be sure to get a reliable immigration lawyer).

But I do know quite a few who were able to find waivers (South Carolina- Inf Disease for example; again, Primary care is not a big problem anywhere!).

Agree with the other reply to ur message -- doctors in any field are needed in almost every city in the U.S. YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM FINDING A JOB AT ALL. Take a look at the NEJM job listings. THere are a lot of private practice groups willing to sponsor H1s. A lot more are beginning to realize that they will need to sponsor foreigners soon or else the position they are trying to fill will remain unfilled. UNIVERSITIES in particular are used to hiring H1s so your best bet is to get a job with one of them. Vanderbilt, UPenn, URochester, LSU, UMass, UAMS all sponsor H1, to name a few.

Just relax. You are on the right track.

wow great post. you just eased ,my mind a ton about visa issues ! thank you.

__________________
Maverik

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