Do Canadians Have To Have a U.S. Exam To Get a Green Card?
Interestingly, Canadian physicians do need a U.S. exam to qualify for a temporary H-1B visa, but they do not need one to qualify for a green card. It is a strange quirk in U.S. immigration policy, but the threshold is higher for Canadian physicians seeking temporary status than it is for a physician seeking permanent status. The main requirement for Canadian physicians seeking an employment based green card is that they be licensed in the state where they will be employed. Over 40 states consider the Canadian exam (LMCC) to be the equivalent of the USMLE or other U.S. exams. Therefore, Canadian physicians can get licensed in most states without taking a U.S. exam. The drawback to this method, however, is that it takes longer than applying for an H-1B. Depending on the state of employment, it can take a year or more for Canadian physicians to obtain a green card. This may be longer than some physicians or potential employers wish to wait. The most desirable Canadian candidates from a U.
