I am from 98 batch. Please guide whether we should try for a J1 or an H1B visa. I have heard that we can get better residencies if we are on J1 as the institutions avoid giving H1 due the tedious paper work involved. Also after residency, we can get better fellowships on a J1 visa rather than on an H1. Of course there is a problem of J1 waiver but we can face it to get a good residency. Your helpful responses are awaited.

Several several excellent programs offer H1 to name a few such as Univ of Alabama, Cleveland Clinic, UTMB Galveston, William Beaumont Michigan, St Lukes Roosevelt New York and a host of other university of community program.

Go for a H1 without thinking. J1 should be a last resort. This has assumed further importance with the accelerated green card importance called PERM that the Govt has introduced recently. After your residency you would be able to get a green card much faster i.e. 18-24 months, and securing a green card is an equally important priority. With J1 all doors are closed.

Sandeep Kochar