Do Doctors Get Faster Green Cards in the USA in 2025?

Key Takeaways

• Doctors use EB-2 and National Interest Waiver to apply for green cards faster if working in underserved areas.
• Form I-693 (edition 01/20/25) is required for all medical exams dated after July 3, 2025.
• Doctors from India and China face longer waits due to per-country green card limits under current policies.

Doctors from around the world play a vital role in the United States 🇺🇸 healthcare system, especially in areas where there are not enough medical professionals. Many international medical graduates (IMGs) hope to make the United States 🇺🇸 their permanent home by getting a green card, which allows them to live and work in the country without time limits. As of July 12, 2025, there have been some important updates and reminders about how doctors can apply for and receive green cards, what has changed, and what steps they need to take next. This update explains the current process, recent changes, who is affected, and what doctors and their employers should do now.

Summary of What Changed

Doctors do not automatically get a green card faster just because of their profession. However, there are special rules and pathways that can help some doctors, especially those willing to work in underserved areas, move through the process more quickly than others. The most common way for doctors to apply is through the EB-2 (Employment-Based, Second Preference) category. This path can be faster if the doctor qualifies for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) or a special waiver for physicians, which removes the need for a lengthy labor certification process.

Recent changes include updates to required forms, especially the medical exam form (Form I-693), and small increases in processing times. There are still long waits for doctors from countries like India and China because of visa limits for each country. No new laws have been passed to give doctors a special fast track for green cards, but there are ongoing discussions in Congress about possible changes in the future.

Who Is Affected by These Changes

• International medical graduates (IMGs) who want to get a green card in the United States 🇺🇸
• Doctors from countries with high demand for green cards (especially India and China), who face longer wait times
• Healthcare employers who sponsor doctors for green cards, especially those in underserved areas
• Doctors currently on J-1 or H-1B visas who are planning to apply for permanent residency

Effective Dates

• The latest edition of the medical exam form, Form I-693 (edition 01/20/25), is required for all medical exams signed on or after July 3, 2025.
• The current green card process and timelines described here are effective as of July 12, 2025.

Required Actions for Doctors and Employers

• Doctors should review their current visa status, make sure they are using the correct forms, and plan their green card application steps carefully.
• Employers should work closely with immigration attorneys to sponsor doctors and help them meet all requirements, especially if using the National Interest Waiver.
• All applicants should check the Visa Bulletin each month to see if their priority date is current and keep up with any new updates from USCIS or the Department of State.

Detailed Breakdown of the Green Card Process for Doctors

1. Are Doctors Prioritized for Faster Green Cards?

Doctors are not given a special fast track for green cards just because they are doctors. However, many doctors use the EB-2 category, which is often faster than other employment-based categories if certain conditions are met. The main way to speed up the process is by getting a National Interest Waiver (NIW). This waiver is for doctors who agree to work in areas where there are not enough healthcare workers, known as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) or Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs).

• EB-2 (Employment-Based, Second Preference): This is a common category for doctors. It usually requires a job offer and a labor certification (called PERM), but doctors can skip the labor certification if they qualify for a NIW.
• Physician National Interest Waiver (NIW): Doctors who agree to work full-time for at least five years in an underserved area can apply for this waiver. It removes the need for labor certification, which can save a lot of time.
• Country of Origin Matters: Doctors from countries with many green card applicants, especially India and China, still face long waits because of yearly limits on how many green cards each country can get. Doctors from other countries usually wait less time.

2. Current Green Card Processing Times for Doctors (2025)

The time it takes for doctors to get a green card depends on several steps. Here’s what most doctors can expect in 2025:

• PERM Labor Certification: 12-24 months (can be skipped with NIW)
• I-140 Petition Processing: 4-9 months
• Visa Bulletin Waiting Period: This depends on the doctor’s country of birth. For some, it is immediate; for others (like India and China), it can be several years.
• Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or Consular Processing: Several months to over a year, depending on how busy USCIS is and if a green card is available.

USCIS processing times have gone up a little in 2025, but they are still about the same as before the pandemic. Receipt notices for applications are now sent out within about three business days for most cases. When filing Form I-485, doctors must include a medical exam using the latest version of Form I-693 (edition 01/20/25). You can find the official form and instructions on the USCIS Form I-693 page.

The Visa Bulletin from the Department of State shows which green card applications can move forward each month. In July 2025, family-based categories are moving ahead, but employment-based categories (like EB-2) still have backlogs, especially for India and China.

3. Key Steps for Doctors Seeking Green Cards

Here’s a step-by-step guide for doctors who want to apply for a green card:

Step 1: Get a J-1 Waiver or H-1B Visa (if needed)
– Many foreign doctors come to the United States 🇺🇸 on a J-1 visa for their medical training. This visa usually requires them to return to their home country for two years after training, unless they get a waiver (often by agreeing to work in an underserved area for three years).
– Some doctors may already be on an H-1B visa, which allows them to work as a doctor in the United States 🇺🇸.

Step 2: Employer Sponsorship or NIW Application
– If the doctor does not qualify for a NIW, their employer must file a PERM labor certification to show that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the job.
– The employer then files an I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. If the doctor qualifies for a NIW, they can self-petition by filing the I-140 themselves.

Step 3: Wait for Priority Date to Become Current
– The priority date is the date when the I-140 petition is filed. Doctors must check the Visa Bulletin each month to see if their priority date is current.
– For doctors from India and China, this wait can be several years.

Step 4: File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
– Once the priority date is current, doctors in the United States 🇺🇸 can file Form I-485 to adjust their status to permanent resident. This must include a medical exam using the latest Form I-693.
– The medical exam must be done by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. You can find a civil surgeon on the USCIS website.

Step 5: USCIS Processing and Interview
– USCIS will process the application and may schedule an interview.
– If approved, the doctor will receive their green card.

4. Recent Policy Updates and Practical Implications

• Form I-693 Update: Starting July 3, 2025, only the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-693 will be accepted for medical exams. The form must be signed by a civil surgeon and sealed in an envelope before being submitted with Form I-485.
• Processing Times: USCIS processing times have increased slightly in 2025, especially for interviews and final approvals. However, receipt notices are now sent out faster.
• Backlogs for India and China: Doctors from these countries still face long waits because of the 7% per-country cap on employment-based green cards. Even after the I-140 is approved, the wait for a green card can be several years.
• Importance of Planning: Immigration lawyers stress the need for careful planning, keeping valid visa status, filing all forms on time, and working closely with employers and legal experts to avoid problems like employment gaps or licensing issues.

5. Implications for Pending Applications

Doctors who have already started the green card process should:

• Make sure all forms, especially Form I-693, are up to date and use the correct edition.
• Keep checking the Visa Bulletin for changes in priority dates.
• Stay in touch with their employer and immigration attorney to make sure all steps are completed on time.
• Be prepared for possible delays in interviews or final approvals due to increased processing times.

6. Expert Perspectives and Stakeholder Views

• Immigration Attorneys: They point out that while doctors have a clear path to permanent residency, the process is complex and can take several years, especially for those from countries with long backlogs.
• Healthcare Employers: Many employers help doctors with green card sponsorship, especially in underserved areas, by using the NIW to attract and keep medical professionals.
• USCIS and Department of State: These agencies continue to update forms and try to make the process smoother, but there are no special fast-track programs just for doctors as of 2025.

7. Future Outlook and Anticipated Changes

• No new laws have been passed to speed up green cards for doctors as of mid-2025.
• Congress is discussing possible changes, like increasing the number of green cards or removing country limits, but nothing has been approved yet.
• Doctors and employers should keep watching for updates to the Visa Bulletin and USCIS processing times.

8. Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• USCIS Green Card Information: USCIS Green Card Page
• Form I-693 and Medical Exam: USCIS Form I-693
• Visa Bulletin and Priority Dates: Visa Bulletin
• Find a Civil Surgeon: USCIS Civil Surgeon Locator
• Legal Help: It is a good idea to talk to an immigration attorney who has experience helping doctors, especially if you are moving from training to permanent residency.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

If you are a doctor hoping to get a green card in the United States 🇺🇸, here are some steps you can take right now:

• Check your current visa status and make sure you are following all rules.
• Talk to your employer about green card sponsorship and whether you qualify for a National Interest Waiver.
• Gather all required documents and make sure you are using the latest forms, especially Form I-693 for your medical exam.
• Monitor the Visa Bulletin each month to see when you can file your next application.
• Work with an experienced immigration attorney to avoid mistakes and delays.
• Plan for possible delays if you are from a country with a long backlog, like India or China.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, while there is no special fast track for doctors, those who are willing to work in underserved areas and who plan carefully can often move through the process more quickly than others. The key is to stay informed, follow all steps closely, and seek help when needed.

For the most up-to-date and official information, always refer to the USCIS Green Card Information page.

Conclusion

Doctors are essential to the United States 🇺🇸 healthcare system, and there are clear pathways for them to become permanent residents. While there is no automatic fast track, the EB-2 category and National Interest Waiver offer important options for those willing to serve in areas that need doctors most. The process can be long and complex, especially for those from high-demand countries, but with careful planning and the right support, doctors can achieve their goal of getting a green card and building a life in the United States 🇺🇸. Always use official resources, keep up with policy changes, and seek expert help to make the process as smooth as possible.

Learn Today

EB-2 → An employment-based visa category for advanced degree professionals, including many doctors, enabling green card applications.
National Interest Waiver (NIW) → A waiver allowing doctors to skip labor certification by agreeing to work in underserved U.S. areas.
Form I-693 → The medical examination form required by USCIS for green card applications to prove health eligibility.
PERM Labor Certification → A process employers use to test the U.S. labor market before sponsoring foreign workers for green cards.
Priority Date → The date USCIS receives an immigrant petition; it determines when an applicant can proceed with their green card.

This Article in a Nutshell

Doctors seeking green cards in the U.S. can use EB-2 and National Interest Waivers to expedite processing. Updated Form I-693 is mandatory from July 2025. While there’s no automatic fast track, careful planning helps navigate visa backlogs, especially for doctors from India and China.
— By VisaVerge.com