INTERVIEW TIP # 7: NEGOTIATING FOR THE H1B VISA..

Yes, I know, H1B visa is very very important to you. Not that a J1 visa is bad - but both have their own virtues, as discussed on the IMG Visas Blog over here.


Residency programs are naturally more comfortable with the J1 visas , since the ECFMG does it for them. The H1 processing headache lies squarely on the programs themselves. The programs already known to give H1s are fine with them now - but there are many programs which say " We prefer giving J1s . H1Bs are given under special circumstances. "

You might wanna try your luck with these programs by reducing some anxiety and dislike they may have for the H1B visa. These are some points you could present to them - either towards the end of the interview period OR later when you write your "Thank you" Letters !


" I am sure you are already aware of most of these points about the H1 Visa , but kindly allow me to enlist some important advantages to me and the program :

1. H1 visa , unlike what most believe it to be, is a Non-Immigrant visa and the yearly H1B Visa 'cap' does NOT apply to non-profit residency programs - only applies to for-profit organizations.

2. It is beneficial to me during a fellowship later, since I wouldn't need to drop a fellowship in favour of a waiver job.

3. If the program likes me and I wish to continue to work as faculty, an H1 allows me to get absorbed into the faculty work force.

4. I am totally open on hiring my own lawyer

5. The expedited or premium H1 visa processing takes only 2 weeks -
while the J1 visa will take months to process. Also Provide the Program the link to Premium Processing Information on the US Visa website - Here's the link. After the page opens, copy-paste the URL you see on the address bar and send that to the program



I shall put up some more in time....read more about the H1-J1 Residency Visa Differences at FMGvisas.blogspot.com