If I’m a Doctor, Is It Easier to Get a Green Card in Palm Beach County?

Some professions are always in high demand, and it’s tough to think of a clearer example than a doctor. If you’re a medical professional and you want to pursue a green card in Palm Beach County, you may find it easier than you realize. But what exactly makes this process so straightforward? What kinds of immigration pathways exist for foreign doctors? These are questions you might want to ask an experienced immigration lawyer.

Doctors Get Special Exemptions From Green Card Restrictions

If you have been following immigration news lately, you might have heard that the current administration has stopped reviewing visa applications filed by people from certain countries. These countries are generally considered “national security threats” by the administration.

However, doctors enjoy special exemptions to these restrictions. Even if your home nation is on current restricted lists, you may still be able to apply for a new visa or renew your current work permit. This is something that you should probably discuss with your lawyer, especially if you’re concerned about an imminent deportation or the expiry of your work visa.

You May Qualify for an EB-2 Visa

As a licensed doctor, you may qualify for an EB-2 (exceptional ability) visa. This visa may be available to anyone who has obtained an advanced degree (such as a doctorate). Part of the EB-2 program involves a Physician National Interest Waiver (NIW).

To be eligible for this type of waiver, you must have at least five years of experience in a clinical practice. You only qualify if you work in primary care, which includes general practitioners, family doctors, pediatricians, gynecologists, and psychiatrists. Specialty doctors may also qualify.

In addition, you only become eligible for a Physician NIW if you serve a “Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA), a Medically Underserved Area (MUA), a VA facility, or a Physician Scarcity Area (PSA). Finally, you must obtain a special statement from a federal agency or a state health department affirming your qualifications and the importance of your work to the community.

In other words, you may want to specifically target VA facilities or areas in which doctors are in short supply. If you take this step and gain employment in one of these areas, it may be relatively easy to obtain and renew your work permit while living in the United States.

The Physician NIW is not the only available option. You can also pursue labor certifications or an EB-1A visa. You may require sponsorship from an employer if you choose these options.

Can an Immigration Lawyer in Palm Beach County Help Me? 

An immigration lawyer in Palm Beach County may be able to help if you’re pursuing a green card as a doctor. While your medical background may make it easier to live and work in the United States, nothing is ever guaranteed. Contact The Devore Law Group for guidance and advice as you pursue your green card.

Sources:

 uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-through-a-physician-national-interest-waiver-niw

apnews.com/article/immigration-trump-visas-pause-doctors-iran-128fed537a91e2cc714d9ed9c7672a6b