We’ve received a lot of requests for additional information about H1B/J1 “Medical Visas” which enable qualified medical professionals to work in the U.S. We hope this information is helpful.
Q. I want to work in the U.S. as a medical professional. How do I do that?
A: In order to work in the U.S. as a medical professional, you will first need to be hired by a U.S. employer such as a hospital or clinic. Then that employer can either file a petition on your behalf for an H1B visa or provide you with the required documents for a J1 visa. You can not work on a B1/B2 visa.
Once your petition has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security or you have the required DS-2019 form, you can apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara and Consulate General in Istanbul have suspended all non-emergency visa processing. You can still apply for these types of emergency visas, but only if you already have a job offer and required paperwork in hand. Once you have the required documentation from your U.S. employer, follow the instructions to complete the DS-160 visa application and schedule an interview appointment at: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/tr-tr/niv. Schedule the first available appointment and then request an expedited appointment, explaining your emergency situation.
Q: Is this a new recruitment channel for medical professionals?
A: No. In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State has temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates. However, as resources allow, embassies and consulates continue to provide urgent and emergency visa services. Medical professionals working in the United States on a work or exchange visitor visa provide essential services to the United States. To the extent possible given post resource constraints and local government restrictions, our Embassies and Consulates are continuing to process visa applications for medical professionals who already have an approved petition or DS-2019.
Q: If I already have an approved petition or DS-2019, how do I get an appointment (especially if my nearest Embassy or Consulate is closed)?
A: Consular resources and local government restrictions vary widely, and each consular section is continuously reviewing its capacity to adjudicate visa applications during this worldwide pandemic. We encourage medical professionals who already have an approved U.S. non-immigrant or immigrant visa petition or a certificate of eligibility in an approved exchange visitor program, particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19, to consult with the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate in order to confirm the level of services currently offered. Our overseas missions will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.
Q. Where do find more information about the medical visas program?
A. Visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-h-and-j-visas-for-medical-professionals.html
