Medical and allied health care professionals (AHCP) often have complex immigration issues, in part related to training, licensing, and certification requirements. Specific immigration requirements, procedures, or options may apply only to a certain occupation or group of occupations. Even those health care occupations that do not have specific immigration provisions must still face requisite licensing for immigration benefit eligibility as health care practitioners. Examples of such occupations include: dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists, as well as many technicians and assistants in the health care field.
Specific immigration provisions are in place for a select list of allied health care professionals (AHCP) for appropriate certifications prior to eligibility for immigration benefits. Specific provisions also are in place for nurses with respect to certifications. In the permanent immigration context, nurses and physical therapists benefit from their classification within what is known as Schedule A precertification, as recognized shortage occupations. This eliminates the need to file for labor certification when seeking employment-based permanent residence.
Physicians face some very specific immigration issues and requirements. Those seeking to practice medicine in the United States must undergo additional graduate medical training. Many are sponsored for this training in J-1 status by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This imposes a two-year home return requirement following the training, which must be met or waived in order to be eligible for either H1B status or permanent residence.
How We Can Help You
- Medical professionals and allied health care providers need to develop long-term strategies for meeting a series of immigration requirements. We at the Murthy Law Firm can help develop and refine these strategies.
- Our attorneys regularly consult with and advise health care professionals and their employers regarding immigration options. We guide health care professionals with respect to specific immigration questions they face.
- The Murthy Law Firm represents health care providers and their employers with the preparation and submission of the full range of nonimmigrant and immigrant applications and petitions requesting immigration benefits. Our experience with health care professionals includes: H1B, J-1, O-1, TN, PERM, Schedule A, and NIW cases, as well as J-1 Interested Government Agency (IGA) and hardship waivers.