For physicians
Visas and green cards for physicians
Doctors have more routes than most professions, plus a few extra rules. Here is which route fits, the main hurdle for each, and the evidence physicians usually have.
Last checked October 2026 · Sources
- Physician NIW service
- 5 years, full-time
- Conrad 30 service
- 3 years on H-1B
- EB-1A legal fee from
- $8,995 flat
- EB-2 NIW legal fee from
- $7,995 flat
Quick answer
Which visa or green card fits a physician?
Physicians usually compare EB-1A, the standard EB-2 NIW, the physician NIW, H-1B, O-1A and, after J-1 training, a Conrad 30 waiver. The physician NIW means agreeing to 5 years of full-time clinical work in a shortage area or VA facility (8 CFR 204.12). EB-1A and the standard NIW do not need an employer.
- A US medical degree counts as an advanced degree for EB-2, per the USCIS Policy Manual.
- J-1 doctors in graduate medical training usually face a two-year home rule unless they get a waiver.
- Doctors who treat patients on H-1B must meet extra exam and English rules.
- Practical guidance: research, judging, leadership roles and pay are common physician evidence.
Compare routes
Physician routes at a glance
The fit column is practical guidance. A partner-firm attorney confirms what fits your case.
| Route | What you get | Fit for physicians | Key hurdle | Our legal fee from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1A | Green card, you file for yourself | Physicians with research, awards, leadership or wide recognition | A major award or 3 of 10 criteria, then a review of your whole record | $8,995 |
| EB-2 NIW (standard) | Green card, you file for yourself | Physician scientists and doctors whose work matters nationally | The 3-part test in Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016) | $7,995 |
| Physician NIW | Green card | Doctors willing to practice in a shortage area or VA facility | 5 years of full-time clinical work there, plus a statement from a federal agency or state health department | Quoted on request |
| H-1B | Work visa | Residency, fellowship or a hospital job | Clinical doctors need the exam and English proof below. Cap-subject jobs go through a lottery weighted by wage level. | Quoted on request |
| J-1 waiver (Conrad 30) | Waiver of the two-year home rule | J-1 doctors after graduate medical training | 3 years of full-time H-1B work at a facility in a shortage area | Quoted on request |
| O-1A | Work visa, up to 3 years at first | Physicians with a strong, documented record | A major award or 3 of 8 criteria, plus an advisory opinion. An employer or agent files. | $6,999 |
Medical degree as an advanced degree and the physician NIW rules: USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part F, Ch. 6. Premium processing means USCIS acts within 15 business days for EB-1A, H-1B and O-1, and 45 business days for NIW (USCIS). Legal fees are the partner firm’s flat fees. Government fees are separate. See pricing.
Physician NIW
Physician NIW rules, as of October 2026
This is a special waiver of the job offer and labor certification for doctors. It is separate from the standard NIW.
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Who | Doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy with an EB-2 petition (8 CFR 204.12(a)) |
| Service | Full-time (40 hours a week) clinical practice for an aggregate of 5 years. Time in J-1 status does not count. |
| Where | A shortage area designated by HHS, or a VA facility. Examples: Health Professional Shortage Areas and Medically Underserved Areas. Psychiatrists can use mental health shortage areas (USCIS) |
| Public interest statement | A federal agency or a state department of public health must say your work there is in the public interest |
| Time limit | The regulation still says 6 years, counted from I-140 approval or from your work permit (8 CFR 204.12(b)). A 2006 court case, Schneider v. Chertoff, rejected that window. The Policy Manual now says there is “no set time limitation” to finish the service. Your attorney confirms how this applies to you. |
| Green card timing | USCIS will not approve your adjustment of status until you show you finished the required service (8 CFR 204.12(e)) |
USCIS says final proof of service is due no later than 120 days after you finish it. You also send proof at intervals while your I-485 is pending. Physician NIW fees are quoted on request because the case depends on the facility and the public interest statement.
Doctor-specific rules
Three rules that catch physicians
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H-1B for patient care
To treat patients, you need a state license where the state requires one. You also need a passed licensing exam accepted by HHS, or a US medical degree. And you need English proof: the ECFMG English test, or a degree from an accredited medical school. There are two exceptions. One is teaching or research at a public or nonprofit institution, with only incidental patient care. The other is foreign graduates of national or international renown (8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(viii)).
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The J-1 two-year home rule
Doctors who came on J-1 for graduate medical training must live two years in their home country. Without a waiver, they cannot get an H or L visa or a green card first. A no-objection statement from your home government is not enough on its own for these doctors.
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Conrad 30 timing
A state health department requests the waiver. You must start work at the facility within 90 days of the waiver. You then work full-time for 3 years in H-1B status (USCIS Conrad 30). Congress must renew Conrad 30 regularly. A Feb. 2026 law covered J-1 status gained before Sept. 30, 2026 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note). A Sept. 2, 2026 funding law continues that extension through Dec. 11, 2026 (P.L. 119-103). Your attorney checks its current status.
Your evidence
Typical physician evidence, by EB-1A or O-1A criterion
Practical guidance on where medical work usually fits. What counts in your case is decided on your documents.
| Criterion | Typical physician evidence | What it must show |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarly articles | Peer-reviewed papers, case series, guideline chapters | You are an author, writing for experts in your field |
| Judging | Peer review for medical journals, abstract review for congresses | You were asked and you completed the review |
| Original contributions | A new technique, protocol or device others adopted | Major significance to the field, not only to your own patients |
| Leading or critical role | Department chief, program director, trial lead | Your performance in the role at an organization with a distinguished reputation |
| Memberships | Fellowship levels selected by experts | Outstanding achievement was required. Board certification alone usually is not. |
| High salary | Pay records compared with your specialty | High pay compared with others in your field and location |
Sources: 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3) and the USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part F, Ch. 2. Read more in EB-1A for clinicians and physicians.
Get started
Where physicians usually start
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Check your current status
Note whether you are or were on J-1 for medical training. That decides whether you need a waiver first.
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List your record
Papers, reviews, talks, awards, leadership roles, pay. Many academic doctors already meet one or two criteria.
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Decide on shortage-area work
If you will practice in an underserved area or VA facility, ask about the physician NIW or Conrad 30.
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Choose the route with an attorney
A partner-firm attorney decides what fits your case before anything is filed.
FAQ
Questions people ask
For most cases, 5 years of full-time clinical work in a shortage area or VA facility. Time in J-1 status does not count.
Yes, if the record meets a major award or 3 of 10 criteria and the overall review. Being a doctor does not qualify you on its own.
The USCIS Policy Manual says a US medical degree is considered an advanced degree. Foreign medical degrees are evaluated case by case.
It lets a J-1 doctor waive the two-year home rule if a state health department requests it. The doctor then works full-time for 3 years in H-1B status in a shortage area. Congress must renew the program, so check its current status with your attorney.
Physician scientists and some clinicians may try the standard NIW under Matter of Dhanasar. It has no shortage-area service rule, but the 3-part test applies.
No one can promise that. A partner-firm attorney checks your eligibility first and a second attorney reviews the case before filing.
See which physician route fits you
Upload your CV and see your standing on each EB-1A and O-1A criterion. No account or card. A partner-firm attorney confirms eligibility before anything is filed.
Sources · checked October 2026
- 8 CFR 204.12, Physician national interest waivers (Cornell LII)
- USCIS, Green Card Through a Physician National Interest Waiver (updated 07/08/2025)
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 6, Part F, Ch. 6, Physician (current as of Oct. 2, 2026)
- USCIS, Conrad 30 Waiver Program (updated 10/01/2025)
- 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(viii), H-1B physicians (Cornell LII)
- 8 U.S.C. 1182 note, Conrad 30 sunset date (Pub. L. 119-75, Feb. 3, 2026) (Cornell LII)
- 8 CFR 204.5(h)(3), EB-1A criteria (Cornell LII)
- USCIS, O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
- USCIS, H-1B Cap Season (updated 09/21/2026)
- USCIS, How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 03/23/2026)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
