I’m studying to become a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and would like to pursue H-1B.
I’m currently studying to become a licensed acupuncturist/Oriental medicine doctor in the U.S. and am on F-1 status. I plan to apply for a work visa right after graduating, but people around me say it might be difficult.
I’d like to know if there’s another option. For reference, I’ll be receiving a master’s degree.
Also, can I get hired before graduation and go straight to H-1B without doing OPT first?
H-1B for an Oriental medicine doctor can be more difficult than expected — the prevailing wage is likely to come out quite high. However, going through second-preference employment-based immigration instead puts you in a category where obtaining a green card is comparatively easier. Also, an Oriental medicine doctor with a master’s or doctoral degree can obtain a green card within 1–2 years through second preference. The most ideal strategy would be to get hired before graduation and pursue your green card during the OPT period, skipping the work-visa stage altogether.