Are foreign physicians eligible to receive marriage-based green cards?

Absolutely! Anyone, including foreign physicians, can be eligible for a marriage-based green card, provided they meet the rules governing this process. Sometimes, foreign physicians and their employers can get so focused on the employment visa process that they miss an obvious opportunity through the physician's bona fide marriage to a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.

J-1 physicians must be aware that they will still require a J-1 waiver in order to pursue any type of green card, including those based on marriage. Apart from this fact, as long as the married couple can establish the validity of their marriage, this process is typically easier than the employment-based green card process.

Individuals married to citizens are able to skip the preference classes altogether, and those married to residents need presently wait only a few months for their priority dates to become current. As a result, foreign physicians are encouraged to evaluate the marriage-based process along with the employment-based process when considering their green card options.