> 1. Why did u choose the path for your wife to start her residency
> on H-1 visa after she clears her Step 3.?
Because the J1 visa sucks.
> 2. If I file for a green card when can she start her residency on my
> green card. Can she start only after I get my EAD ?
Does your company have a labor certification for your current job ? If no, how long will it take for you to be able to file your I485 and EAD applications ? Depending on your luck, it will take about 3 months after your I140/I485/EAD is filed that you and your wife will actually receive an EAD. Once she has an EAD she can start her residency without any visa.
> 3. If she wants to start her residency in June 2005 in that case
> what do you suggest is the best option
H1b or not to be !
> a) She should start on a J1 visa and later try for a waiver ?
No. The waiver will require her to work in a medically underserved location for 3 years before she can apply for GC/EAD etc.
> b) I should file for my green card and she should wait to start
> her residency till I get my green card to avoid starting her residency
> on a J1 visa
Maybe she shouldn't wait until your GC is through, this can take years. But maybe she should wait until you are able to file for an EAD for her (a lot earlier).
> 4)If she starts her residency on J1 visa and I file for my Green Card
> after that can I still file for her Green card with my application
With a J1:
She will be blocked from filing an I485 (adjustment of status) application or an immigrant visa until she has either:
-- prooved that she returned to India for 2 years.
-- practiced for 3 years in a medically underserved location (using H1b and a J1 waiver)
-- practiced for 3 years with a Veterans Administration Hospital (using H1b and a J1 waiver)
She might be able to take advantage of your GC process after she completes either foreign residency requirement or waiver job through the 'follow to join' provisions, but I don't know anything about that.
Look around here ,there are two more threads dealing with exactly the same situation (H1b professional, wife is physician, going through the USMLE's, H1b vs J1 vs EAD)