There is also good news for some FMGs. In a FY2000 appropriations bill, Congress added a provision restoring immigrant visa petitions requesting national interest waivers of the labor certification and job offer requirements for physicians working in medically underserved areas. However, the bill still needs to be signed by President Clinton who has already vetoed it once. If the bill ultimately becomes law, national interest waiver immigrant visa petitions will once again be available to physicians who agree to practice in medically underserved areas for five years. Applications for adjustment to permanent resident status can be filed at any time during the five year term but permanent residence would not be granted until completion of the five year term.
Labor certifications remain as an alternative to national interest waiver immigrant visa petitions.
However, applications for adjustment to permanent resident status based on a labor certification cannot be filed until the completion of a term of three years in a medically underserved area. P.C. All rights reserved.