H-1B FMG Visa
H-1Bs for Foreign/International Medical Graduates offers the best non-immigrant visa category for the job.
Our approach to processing H-1B FMG/IMG Visas
Every year, our office helps Foreign Medical Graduates(FMGs) or International Medical Graduates (IMGs) obtain H-1B Visas. We do this by working closely with both the Hospital and the FMGs closely and directly. We have the ability to process petitions in record time and ensure the approvals are mailed directly to the FMGs abroad (with a copy to the hospital) at no extra cost to you.
Most teaching hospitals that turn down H-1B processing for FMGs/IMGs do so because they are unaware of the process and do not wish to be part of the processing.
When they use our services though, they become aware of the sheer ease of using this form of sponsorship in bringing qualified FMGs to work for them and the advantage of being able to retain them beyond the medical residency program in hospitalist positions. We urge you to speak with one of Attorneys before making the decision to use the J-1 visa instead of the H-1B to bring qualified FMGs to the U.S. We are convinced that we will be able to convey the relative merits of this visa category over all others and contribute to the success of your residency/fellowship program.
The J-1 visa which is normally processed by the ECFMG carries with it the disadvantage of having a 2-year home country residence requirement that forces the FMG to have to leave the U.S. immediately after their residency and restricts the hospitals options when it comes to continuing their employment. The Conrad 30 program restricts J-1 waivers to 30/state. Therefore, competition for J-1 waivers is stiff and often unpredictable.
Prior to H-1B sponsorship, the following criteria must be met:
- Graduation from a medical school with the equivalent of a Doctor of Medicine degree
- An offer from a U.S. Teaching Hospital with a fellowship or residency program
- ECFMG certification
- Passage of USMLE Steps I,II & III
- State medical license or documentation of the medical residency program being licensed as a whole.
- Employment Agreement for the duration of the residency program
The Importance of H-1B Processing Time Frame
H-1B petitions are normally filed with the USCIS Service Center with jurisdiction over the location of the hospital sponsoring the petition. When filed in the regular processing method, the petition process could take between 3 to 5 months. Therefore, we do not recommend this form of processing. Premium processing is available by paying an additional $1225.00 in filing fees and guarantees a 15 days turnaround. Therefore, you must plan your visa processing well in advance. If your program is set to begin in the first week of July, we recommend that you contact us as early as the third week in January.
Fees for H-1B Processing:
The Fraud fee must be paid by the Employer. Contact us for a professional fee schedule and checklist or for general questions.
| Type of Service | Fees |
| Base Fee | $325.00 |
| Fraud Fee | $500.00 |
| Premium Processing | $1225.00 |