I am doing a medical residency in an internal medicine training program on H1B visa. It is my 1st year now. Can I apply for a green card after three years ?
Can I apply now ? No way to apply for a green card at all in my case and nature of work ?
Thanks
Green Card Through a Physician National Interest Waiver (NIW):
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=a695a6c515083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Here is just an excerpt:
The second-preference employment category (EB-2) allows individuals of exceptional ability and individuals who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees to get a green card (permanent residence).
For EB-2s a job offer and a labor certification is generally required. This requirement can be waived if the petitioner demonstrates that granting the EB-2 petition would be in the national interest of the United States.
One reason USCIS may grant the national interest waiver is because a physician agrees to work for a period of time in a designated underserved area.
Eligibility Criteria
You must agree to work full-time in a clinical practice. For most physician NIW cases, the required period of service is 5 years
You must work in a primary care (such as a general practitioner, family practice petitioner, general internist, pediatrician, obstetrician/gynecologist, or psychiatrist) or be a specialty physician
You must serve either in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Mental Health Professional Area (MHPSA – for psychiatrists only), a Medically Underserved Area (MUA), or a Veterans Affairs facility, or for specialists in a Physician Scarcity Area (PSA)
You must obtain a statement from a federal agency or a state department of health that has knowledge of your qualifications as a physician and that states your work is in the public interest (This statement is known as an attestation)