> 1. What are her chances to work as a doctor?
Very good. Not 100%, but very close to it.
> 2. What steps should we follow?
It is a 1 year campaign that requires considerable financial and mental resources.
#1 decide what specialty she wants to pursue (most FMGs do internal medicine, pediatrics, family practice or pathology)
#2 go to the 'FREIDA' database on the website of the american medical association (under 'medical education').
#3 look up the programs she is interested in
#4 enter into the 'National Residency Matching Program' NRMP
#5 register for the 'electronic residency application service' ERAS
#6 enter her CV on ERAS in the prescribed format
#7 have someone who is familiar with the medical education terminology here review her CV to make sure it 'fits in' and looks appealing.
#8 apply to the programs electronically (starting sept 1st)
#9 wait for interview offers to trickle in (mid sept to end of jan)
#10 interview for positions, criss-crossing the country for weeks.
#11 sweettalk someone into giving her a spot outside of the match on H1b visa (possible, depends on specialty)
#12 If #11 doesn't work out, submit a rank order list of programs she wants to attend (february 17th).
#13 wait for 'Black tuesday' (march 17th), open that email
#14 get 'matched' for a spot
#15 get her visa paperwork in order (H1b premium processing/J1)
#16 start residency on July 1st.
> 3. Does she has to appear for any ohter exams?
She should take USMLE step3 as soon as possible after she comes here on a F visa. This will allow her to get an H1b visa which is much more advantageous than the typical J1. (she can register on the 'federation of state medical boards 'FSMB' website. If she indicates that she takes the exam for the state of Connecticut department of health, she doesn't have to proove that she is already working as a doctor in the US.) It costs around $600 to take this exam.
> 4. Can she get residency after completing necessary exams?
If you mean 'permanent residence' as in a 'green-card': no, unless she finds some employer to sponsor her one day.
If you mean 'residency' as in 'graduate medical education': yes.
> 5. What are the hospitals and/or states which processes such cases?
I am not sure what you mean with 'cases'. In principle, all hospitals in all states are fair game. However, historically most FMG's do their residencies in the NY tristate area or Illinois. California is very inaccessible to FMG's, and traditionally you won't find many FMG's doing their residency in the midwest.
One or two more things:
A) In your somewhat typical situation (IT guy with Dr wifey), it is VERY important that she doesn't get herself stuck with a J1 visa. I assume you guys intend to stay in the US. 5 years from now, you will have a green-card through your job. You don't want to be bogged down with the problems a 'graduate medical education' J1 visa bings along with it.
B) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD SHE OVERSTAY HER F2 VISA OR VIOLATE THE TERMS OF THE VISA IN ANY OTHER WAY. Some people (not necessarily you) are incredibly naive in this regard. They take a job at the convenience store to make do financially. They stay until september if the visa said july and the like. People used to be able to get away with this stuff, but NOT ANYMORE. A couple of days of visa overstay or unlawful employment today can cost you $20.000 in attorney and court expenses 7-8 years down the line.
