For the medical professional who wants to stay in the United States in the long term, they must apply for the H1-B immigration visa.  In order to do this the medical professional must have a firm offer of employment.  The prospective employer must be in the United States.  The applicant will have to prove that he or she has undergone all the necessary medical training to become a US medical professional.  The H1-B applicant will also have to be in possession of a ‘license to practice’ medicine in their own country.  In addition to this, it is essential to have a ‘license to practice’ medicine in the American state they want to immigrate to.

The medical professional who may want to immigrate permanently to the United States is allowed to apply for a ‘Permanent Resident Card’.  This card is issued to all those who have lawful residency in the United States.  The more common name for this is the ‘US Green Card’.  This visa is specifically for migrants who are highly skilled and want to live in the United States.  They must however carry out ‘prearranged roles’.  Because it takes a long time to get a US Green Card, the H1-B is a way for a highly skilled migrant to get from a temporary visa all the way to permanent residency.  US citizens have many rights and privileges, and a US Green Card is highly prized.  Applying for the H1-B could be a start to permanent residency in the United States of America.