Sequence of events after the match:
1. Sign the contract/ offer letter sent by your program
2- Obtain Statement of Need (SoN) from
The Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination( NHRSC)
Documents needed to obtain SoN.
-Application . Complete your SoN application using following link,
https://www.nhsrc.gov.pk/Download
-Signed Contract/Offer letter,
-Copy of bio data page of valid passport
-Copy of CNIC
3. TPL creates a profile for the applicant at EV net.
Documents needed:
- Offer letter,
- Statement of need,
-Current CV,
-Copy of Passport pages,
-Medical school diploma,
-Passport size photograph)
4. ECFMG will notify the applicant that the application has been initiated.
5. ECFMG will also send the instructions for completing the application through OASIS.
6. Documents to be submitted to the ECFMG:
-Contract letter
-Statement of need
-CV updated
-Copy of passport
-Medical school diploma
-Passport size photo
-Return air bill for courier for delivery of DS – 2019 to the TPL
7.Fee of 285 USD should be paid.
8.Once the TPL and the applicant complete their respective portions of the application, the ECFMG will begin looking for the applicant’s eligibility.
9.If the application is complete ECFMG will create an electronic record for the applicant in SEVIS.
10.ECFMG issues DS – 2019 to the TPL.
11.TPL will send the original DS – 2019 to the applicant.
12.Submit Form I – 901 and pay the SEVIS fees of 180 USD before the visa interview outside the US or before applying for change of visa status within the US.
13.Complete the Form DS – 160 and print the confirmation to take it on the interview day.
14.Upload a photo.
15.Pay the consular fees of 160 USD.
16.Login into the profile and schedule an appointment. You will need the following to schedule the appointment:
-Passport number,
-date you paid the fee,
-10-digit barcode in the DS – 160.
17.Fingerprint and photo will be taken at the embassy/consulate
18. Day of interview at the embassy / consulate
Go to pick up point
Shuttle will take you to embassy
Have finger printing
Go for interview
Documents to bring with you for interview
1- valid passport,
2-DS – 160 confirmation page,
3-appointment confirmation page,
4-photo 2x2
5-SEVIS fee receipt
6-signed contract/ offer letter
7-proof of SEVIS registration
8-proof of interview fee
9-CV
10-Any general correspondence from the program regarding orientation.
11-DS2019 + ECFMG letter to Embassy/Consulate.
Visa application /interview tips.
-Apply for visa interview appointment as soon as You have been issued DS2019 and SEVIS ID.
⁃ each dependent will be issued a separate DS2019 and SEVIS ID
⁃ Each dependent will need separate DS160 application and fee.
⁃ Ask for group interview if you have dependents .
⁃ Duration for stay can be any where from 3-7 years depending on your residency speciality and fellowship plans.
⁃ J-1 visa will be valid only for a year but you can stay without getting visa stamped on passport for longer time.
⁃ You will be given new DS2019 every year and allowed to work even if your J-1 visa is expired on passport .
⁃ If you travel outside USA and visa is still valid , you can return to USA without getting visa Re stamped on passport.
⁃ If you travel outside USA and visa is expired you will need to have visa Re stamped on passport and will need to go through new DS160 , fee and visa interview. There is possibility of visa going in administrative processing even if you have been in USA and working as resident . It is highly recommended to travel outside USA while your visa is valid or only if you HAVE to go for something very important.
- Visa duration is 1 year for both J-1 and H-1 B . You can continue to work without renewal of visa as long as you have new DS2019 every year . If you travel outside USA on expired visa, will need to
Re stamp you visa like first time.
Emergency/expedited visa interview appointments :
- if you don’t get appointment date in May or early June , get whatever appointment is available. Then use the system and ask for expedited/ emergency visa interview appointment date. You may ask for group interview if you have dependents.
- don’t request expedited/emergency visa interview till you have physical possession of DS-2019 as you will have 96 hours to pick interview slot and if you fail to pick a slot, you will not qualify for expedited/ emergency visa interview this year.
Interview :
⁃ For interview , dress professionally and be on time.
⁃ Take your dependents with you for interview even if they are not traveling with you in June.
⁃ Answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge . If you are not sure about any question ask politely,the person on window , “can you repeat the question please “ . And if you don’t know the answer for sure , tell the person I don’t know . Don’t just guess.
⁃ Take all supporting documents with you including Ds2019, contract letter , letter from program to the consulate , previous/ expired passports if you have travelled to USA in the past. Take bank statements to provide proof that your previous visit to USA was financed by yourself or a family members. If you opened up an account in USA , take copy of last statement and if you received any funds in USA from family and or friends , take a proof and have details of the person who gave you money including relationship , name , address of the person. You want to make sure that the visa section officer is satisfied you did not work snd got paid in USA on visit visa.
⁃ Write down the dates and duration of your previous trips to USA with addresses where you stayed /did observer-ship/ rotations in USA.
⁃ Be confident and respectful to the staff and look into the eyes when you are talking to them.
⁃ Technically it is not recommended to do observer-ship on B-1/B-2 visa. If you have done , be truthful and tell the officer. Make sure to tell “It was voluntary , unpaid and without direct patient contact. If you did clinical rotation as a student , nothing to worry about if you had direct patient contact as it is allowed for students.
⁃ Good news is , Last year not a single visa was refused for resident physicians.
⁃ It is possible that your visa may undergo administrative process and the paper officer will hand handover to you may say “refused” .
⁃ Don’t worry it is a routine screening and will get it done in 1-2 weeks in most of the cases. Let APPNA know about it and we will try our best to get is expedited.
⁃ The officer might ask you to provide answer to few written questions like your previous addresses , details of previous trips out of Pakistan , details of your family , details of your social media accounts , copy of phone records etc. Don’t rush abd don’t panic. Discuss and formulate complete and accurate response.
Social media accounts :
Please review your social media accounts and remove any objectionable pictures , like
Photos with firearms etc. Also delete any hateful posts or anti USA posts.
19.Visa approved. Officer will sign DS2019. If not signed by visa officer, the immigration officer will sign on arrival airport in USA .
20.Collect the passport with the visa stamp from passport pick up location after the processing time is over.
21.Travel to the US, within 30 days of the program start date
Documents to be readily available on arrival airport in USA.
Valid passport with visa
DS2019
Contract/offer letter
22. As soon as possible , contact and visit your program . After going to the program, the TPL will upload to the
EV net the following documents: -Validation of initial arrival of ECFMG sponsored J1 physician from SEVIS reporting,
-I – 94, use this link to print I-94
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/i94-fact-sheet.pdf
-I – 797 (if the change is done within the US )
-copy of passport page with J1 visa stamp.
23. ECFMG validates the physician’s approval to enter the US in SEVIS.
24. Now the physician is eligible to apply for SSN.
25.Call or go directly go to your local Social security office to confirm whether they are open for first come first basis or by appointment only. Documents to carry
to Social Security office
-Passport with Visa stamp
-Original Ds-2019
-I-94
Administrative Processing.
All visas are not approved on the day of interview. Visa officer may give you
221(g) paper and say your visa needs clearance. Don't get scared. Your visa is not refused but going under security clearance due to name or date of birth mismatch. Your status on the travel document page (USTravelDocs) will stay “Refused” till visa clearance completed. You will get a questionnaire in an email with following questions. Take your time and don’t rush.
Answer all questions completely and accurately.
1- Your travel history outside your country of residence over the last 15 years, including locations visited, date visited, source of funds, and length of stay;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
2- All prior passport numbers and country of passport issuance;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
3-The names and dates of birth of any siblings (full, half, step, adopted), living or deceased;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
4- The names and dates of birth of any children (minor and adult), living or deceased;
Type response here]
[Continue…]
5- The names and dates of birth of any former spouses or civil/domestic partners, living or deceased;
Type response here]
[Continue…]
6- All of your addresses where you have lived during the last 15 years, including dates of residence;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
7-All phone numbers you have used in the last five years, including primary, secondary, work, home, and mobile numbers;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
8-All email addresses you have used in the last five years, including primary, secondary, work, personal, and educational addresses;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
9-All social media platforms and unique user names/handles for any websites or applications, including social media, you have used to create or share content (photos, videos, status updates, etc.) as part of a public profile within the last five years;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
10- Your prior occupation(s) and employers for the last 15 years. Include employer name, dates of employment, employer address, telephone number, your job title, and a job brief description;
[Type response here]
[Continue…]
Time required for visa clearance varies from a few days to a few months. Contact Appna or your alumni and don’t panic.