Is it easy for a physician immigrating to USA to start work there in the age of 57, and what should he do?

Answer 1

It is not a question of age, but a question of "degree" (pun intended). You will need proof of your current nationality (e.g., passport), and be able to prove US residency (visa or similar), and be board certified in the USA, which may require you to take courses to prove competency. Check out the link, below.

Answer 2

No, but it is possible. It depends on what your status is . . .whether or not you qualify for an H-1B visa, etc.

If you don't find your answer at http://www.usimmigrationlaw.net/physicians-h-ib-visas.htm you might want to contact Traveler's Aid International.



Many years ago I worked at TAI in which immigration counselors answered questions like yours.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelers_Aid
http://www.travelersaid.org/

as well as contacting the AMA http://www.ama-assn.org and asking what their requirements for foreign born doctors are.

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Regarding Traveler's Aid Int'l (TAI)

We often helped refugees from other countries through a difficult process by providing immigration counseling, a foreign 'language bank' consisting of over 200 languages, ESL, English for business people and many other services, including bus tickets for people stranded while traveling. It was a wonderful agency.

As a result of my employment there, I became friends with several refugees who had been physicians in their native countries, so I can say with certainty, it was not easy, but it wa s achievable.

Non-English speaking doctors will find it more difficult than English-speaking. Also, equipment and training used in other countries is not usually on par with American standards, unless you work at a 'world-class' hospital. So becoming an "American-trained" physician is obviously important.

I can think of at least two Romanian refugee doctors who, after several years here in the United States, eventually became licensed to practice here. As refugees, both had to work menial jobs in the beginning (restaurants, etc). This was frustrating to them as they were highly skilled and in demand in their countries before they became refugees. Both eventually wound up taking the courses necessary to pass the exams and within a few years became licensed. I seem to recall they were in their late 40s-early 50s at the time.

As someone else mentioned, you must prove residency and be able to pass competency exams, so it will depend on many things. The field in which you practice, the training you have already had, whether or not you have passed the MCAT, the Medical Licensing exams, etc.

Answer 3

With the apparent aberration of grammar in your posting I'm wondering if it would be a good idea for you to practice medicine in the USA. I'm wondering from where you received the designation of physician. We have enough malpractice lawsuits in progress that regardless of settlement leave people in a sad state.

Answer 4

We will probably be needing a lot of doctors once war starts here.