HEALTHCARE PROFESSSIONALS
The law firm of Goldie C. Domingue, APLC offers legal services to healthcare professionals throughout the United States who are seeking guidance related to their immigration status. Whether you are a foreign medical graduate, a nurse, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, or other healthcare professional, our firm can assist you with both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa matters.
Our services for healthcare professionals include the following:
- J-1 visas matters
- J-1 visa waivers (Conrad 30, Interested Federal Government Agency, Hardship, Persecution)
- H-1B visas
- PERM application (labor certification)
- Physician National Interest Waiver
- Schedule A petitions for nurses and physical therapists
Foreign Medical Graduates admitted to the United States under J-1 visa to participate in graduate medical training are required to return to their home countries for two years before becoming eligible to work in the United States, unless they have been approved for a J-1 visa waiver. Know your options.
Can you show proof of exceptional hardship to your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or child, or that you would probably suffer persecution if you were to return to your home country? You may be eligible for a waiver of the two-your home country residence requirement. In addition, Foreign Medical Graduates can also obtain a J-1 visa waiver in exchange for employment in a physician shortage area for three years, through the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver program, or through recommendation by an interested federal government agency (IAG), such as U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), or Delta Regional Authority (DRA). A condition for a Conrad 30 waiver, or for an IAG waiver for clinical practice, requires you to work the three year in H-1B visa status. Consult with a knowledgeable immigration lawyer.
Labor certification (PERM application) is the most common avenue taken by foreign physicians in obtaining permanent residence (green card). If your employer is interested in sponsoring you for permanent residence status (green card), we can assist you and your employer throughout this process.
Physician national interest waivers can be granted if a physician is willing to commit to medical service for five years in one or more physician shortage areas. Because this is considered to be in the "national interest", labor certification is "waived".
Attorney Goldie C. Domingue has represented foreign medical graduates for J-1 visa waivers, and permanent residence status, since 1993.
We also provide our legal services to nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals who may qualify for H1-B status, or whose employer wishes to sponsor them for permanent residence status (green card).
The visa petition, and J-1 visa waiver, procedures for healthcare professionals are complex and require an experienced legal professional to guide the healthcare professional and his or her employer to a timely and successful outcome. Please contact us today to receive careful, knowledgeable legal support from an experienced immigration attorney.