Non Cap H1b Visa For Physical Therapist
Are you eligible for a Non Cap H1b Visa for Physical Therapist? Here is some information about that.
Non Cap H1B Visa For Physical Therapist, Attorneys, and Law Firms An inflammatory article appeared on www.moneycontrol.com on April 4, 2017 referring to the non cap H1B visa extension application process for Physical Therapists as “fiasco”. The integrity of the H1B process – which is already mired in other related problems – was questioned because an Ombudsman for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that foreign skilled workers applying under the H-1B program may not be able to get requested visa or work permits at all if their employer has applied for a second H-1B extension, known as a ‘non-cap exemption’.
Non Cap H1b Visa For Physical Therapist
A non cap H1b visa is more beneficial than the regular H1b visa as it entitles the holder to work on any open position in every medical facility in the United States. This article discusses all aspects of the non cap H1b visa.
Introduction
Foreign national physical therapists have always found U.S. as a lucrative destination to come and work, either as permanent residents or as temporary professionals.
Here, we present a snapshot of the most popular Physical Therapist U.S. visa option available to foreign national physical therapists – The H1B Visa.
NOTE: Qualified Citizens of Canada and Mexico may also seek a Physical Therapist TN visa to work in the US temporarily. Additionally, foreign national physical therapists who would like to live and work permanently in the U.S. have the option of seeking a ‘Schedule A’ Green Card for Physical Therapists.SELECT A WORK VISAE-1 Treaty TradersE-2 Treaty InvestorsE-3 Australian Speciality WorkersH-1B Specialty WorkersH-1B1 Chileans and SingaporeansH-2A Agricultural WorkersH-2B Seasonal WorkersH-3 TraineesI VisaL-1 Intra-company TransfersL-1 BlanketO-1 Extraordinary AbilityP-1 Athletes or EntertainersP-2 Artists or EntertainersP-3 Artists or EntertainersR-1 Religious WorkersTN Visa
ORSELECT A FAMILY VISAAdjustment of Status for Citizen SpouseAdjustment of Status for Citizen ParentImmigrant Visa for Citizen SpouseImmigrant Visa for Citizen ParentK-1 Fiance or FianceeK-3 Spouse of U.S. CitizenImmigrant Visa for Citizen BrotherImmigrant Visa for Citizen SisterGreen Card for Permanent Resident Spouse
1. H1B For Physical Therapists
The H1B visa program allows U.S. employers to employ foreign nationals in specialty occupations. The regulations define specialty occupation as ‘an occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the U.S.’ Most professional positions, including physical therapist, qualify as a specialty occupation.
DID YOU KNOW?
a.The H1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign nationals in specialty occupations.
b.Physical therapy qualifies as a “specialty occupation”.
c.To qualify, the foreign national physical therapist must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), be licensed as a physical therapist in the state of intended employment and obtain Health Care Worker Certification (VisaScreen or Type 1 Certificate).
d.The H1B is limited to a total of six years of stay in the U.S. unless certain conditions are met.
e.The H1B visa supports ‘dual intent’.
2. The Physical Therapist H1B Visa – Eligibility Conditions
In order to be eligible for an H1B as a physical therapist, the following important conditions, among others, must be satisfied:
a.The foreign national physical therapist must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy or its equivalent. Foreign national physical therapists who do not have at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree must obtain an evaluation from a credential agency confirming that their degree is equivalent to a minimum of bachelor’s degree in physical therapy obtained from a U.S. education institution.
b.The foreign national physical therapist must take and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and be licensed as a physical therapist in the state where he or she intends to be employed. Foreign national physical therapists, who are outside the U.S., may also seek a visitor visa in order to come to the U.S. and appear for the exam.
NOTE: USCIS will waive the requirement for state licensure if the petitioner can show that the state in question will not issue the license until the foreign national beneficiary is in the US in H1B status and/or has a social security number. USCIS will generally limit the petition validity to a period of 1 year.
c.All foreign national physical therapists must obtain a Health Care Worker Certification issued by the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) – VisaScreen, or the Federal Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT) – Type 1 Certificate. The certification is required even if the foreign national is US educated.
NOTE 1: Before submitting the application to USCIS, the employer must submit and receive a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor.
NOTE 2: All graduating physical therapists in the U.S. must obtain the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in order to be eligible for licensing or to take the credentialing examination. Those with Bachelor’s degrees or Master’s degrees in Physical Therapy from the U.S. or abroad may still be eligible for the H1B if they are eligible to take the NPTE and are eligible for licensing in the state where the work will be performed.