In the United States, in recent years there has been a serious shortage of healthcare workers, adding only to an already stretched healthcare system. It’s short because of all sorts of reasons, including population aging and rising demand for medical care. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how dire the situation was, hospitals and healthcare institutions running out of room, and the number of patients per clinician going up.
Because of the ever-increasing demand for qualified healthcare workers, numerous medical institutions have started outsourcing certain tasks to foreigners. Medical workers recruited overseas not only plug shortfalls but also add fresh eyes and expertise to the US medical workforce.
The work visas available in the United States are not as straightforward as it seems if your healthcare company is looking to hire foreign workers. Here are some of the most common medical work visas that we have listed below.
H-1B Visa: An Indicated Option for Medical Doctors and Physician Assistants?
The most famous work visa in the U.S. is the H-1B visa, and you apply for this visa to high-level workers working in “specialty occupations” like health care jobs. This visa is not only for healthcare, but it’s useful if you need to hire foreign doctors, nurses, medical researchers, and surgeons.
Hiring employers for H-1B visas will have to satisfy specific wage and employment criteria for these foreign workers. That way foreign workers are compensated fairly and their jobs are a minimum of what US labor law demands.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: Great for Medical School.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa for individuals visiting the US to pursue educational and cultural exchange programs. In the field of medicine, this visa is typically used by foreign medical graduates who wish to do clinical training in the US (medical residency or fellowship).
J-1 visa holders work in hospitals, schools, or clinics as a part of their training. It has to be approved by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or sponsored by a government agency.
Conrad 30 Waiver Program
The Conrad 30 Waiver Program is worth looking into if you work in healthcare companies that hire J-1 medical graduates. This allows J-1 medical graduates to request an exemption from the two-year home residency standard if they commit to working in rural regions of the U.S. for at least three years.
The program can be both a boon for healthcare facilities in the high-demand region and a way for foreign medical staff to prolong their stay in the U.S. There are differences in the eligibility for the Conrad 30 Waiver by state, so be sure to inquire at your local public health office about this.
Canadian and Mexican Healthcare Workers TN Visa
Canadians and Mexicans are granted TN visas under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) now US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The visa is specifically for certain jobs like doctors, nurses, and therapists.
It is the advantage of a TN visa to get this done very fast. With TN visa, is much easier to apply for compared to other visa types, has less paperwork, and quicker processing times that will provide a great opportunity for employers of healthcare workers to employ Canadian or Mexican staff.
O-1 Visa: For Medical Staff with High Talent
This visa is for Medical Staff with High Talent. It is available to people who are very talented. It’s most often used by artists, athletes, and entertainers, but healthcare professionals who have achieved notable success in their area of expertise can also take it. : renowned surgeons, medical researchers, or other medical specialists could get an O-1 visa.
Employers are required to show the potential candidate that their medical achievements are outstanding to obtain the O-1 visa. That usually involves lots of documentation of the professional’s achievements, whether it be published studies, honors, or awards.
H-2B Visa: Temporary Medical Work, Need For Healthcare Purposes.
The H-2B visa is normally applicable to short-term non-agricultural employees but may be used in medical cases when you require temporary staffing. In cases where the number of patients is high, for instance, or when working as a medical worker for the holidays, an H-2B visa might work for you.
But remember that the H-2B visas are generally for short-term, temporary employment (up to one year). Therefore, it may not be the right choice for healthcare organizations looking to hire for long-term positions. Employers should also comply with regulatory requirements for this visa.
A multi-faceted response to the current lack of health workers in the US is necessary. The attraction of foreign workers on different visa categories for medical companies is one solution for addressing urgent shortages. If employers know about visa categories, they can connect the right people to the right medical jobs.
Each visa is unique and different, and having a lawyer who is an immigration specialist will help to get you in compliance and simplify the hiring process. American healthcare providers can successfully attract and keep the talent that the industry requires, with the right immigration policy.
