I would like to re-locate to the USA. I am a doctor and wish to enter into the residency programme in surgery.

Question

I need to know if I need a visa (I am a British Citizen), will my wife need a different visa (she is also british but does not work). I intent to stay in the USA forever. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

First, you definitely do need a visa as a British citizen if your intent is to come to the US to do anything beyond normal tourism. Many doctors go into residency programs on J exchange visitor programs. Many hospitals know how to do the paperwork for this. The hospital has to register with the Department of State, file the various forms for you and then register you, and your wife, in the SEVIS program adn then send you the DS-2019. All of this needs to be done before you can even apply for the visa, and you'll need this as well to enter the US. As for practicing in the US, that's a different matter. The US doesn't allow foreign physicians to practice unless they sign initially to practice in an area with a shortage of doctors.  But you can take a longer look at that and decide later if that's the way you want to go.

Answer 2

You'd be better off to start here, with the  Chargé d'Affaires, than rely upon any answers in Yahoo.

Answer 3

I think you would do best to have a job offer and let the hospital sponser both you and your wife  .gl

Answer 4

I am surprised you need to ask this sort of question on here if you're a doctor.

Answer 5

You will need a work sponsor showing that they need your skills and have tried to fill the post by advertising it.But before you can practice in the US you will have to satisfy the medical programme criteria their.The same as a US Doctor working in the UK has to do.You must be aware that you may be obliged to study up to 2 yrs to bring you up to speed on the US medical techniques.You will certainly need correct Visas to implement your intentions.