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wassim naji

B1 visa for med student

By wassim naji in Tourist Visas

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wassim naji Newbie

wassim naji   0

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Hello everyone,

I am a Tunisian medical student currently studying medicine abroad. I hold a Tunisian passport. I would like to apply for a B-1/B-2 visa in order to attend a short medical observership/training in a hospital in the United States (unpaid and temporary).

I wanted to ask:

How are approval chances in general for Tunisian citizens applying for a B-1/B-2 visa?

Do consular officers usually accept this type of purpose (short training/observership), or does it raise more scrutiny?

Are there any tips or experiences from other Tunisians or international medical students who successfully got the B-1/B-2 for similar purposes?

Thank you very much for any advice you can share.

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   47,719

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

Tunisia is not Lagos but.

 

i am sure there are Tunisians who have no issue getting a B and many who do.

 

i would think a key issue would be explaining why you want to travel so far at such cost to do an Observership.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

smilingstone Community Regular

smilingstone   689

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted
Just now, Boiler said:

Tunisia is not Lagos but.

 

i am sure there are Tunisians who have no issue getting a B and many who do.

 

i would think a key issue would be explaining why you want to travel so far at such cost to do an Observership.

 

My opinion but I'd also have thought that a B is not the visa for this purpose. Even if unpaid, it will likely involve a contract and technically employment/internship. Sounds like something the company or organisation would arrange for the candidate, no? 

 

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JeanneAdil Grand Master

JeanneAdil   7,178

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted

you would petition for the J1 visa by following steps for that visa type

 

The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals participating in educational and cultural exchange programs in the U.S., including those for training and internships

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   47,695

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Thread is moved from the Tourist Visas forum to the Student & Exchange Visitors forum, where J-1 visas are typically discussed.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   47,695

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Thread is moved back to the Tourist Visas forum.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

JeanneAdil Grand Master

JeanneAdil   7,178

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
 Timeline
Posted
8 hours ago, jan22 said:

A B1 visa is the appropriate visa for a short-term medical observership.  It does not permit direct,/physical patient contact — it provides only a shadowing experience.

He is a medical student 

Observation is for medical doctors

 

https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam040202.html

 

(U) A medical doctor whose purpose for coming to the United States is to observe U.S. medical practices and consult with colleagues on latest techniques, if no remuneration is received from a U.S. source and no patient care is involved.  Failure to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is irrelevant in such a case.

Boiler Grand Master

Boiler   47,719

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
 Timeline
Posted

B is the usual visa for this situation, see a lot from India and Pakistan.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   47,695

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted
8 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

He is a medical student 

Observation is for medical doctors

It's a lost battle to question jan22 about visa matters.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

jan22 Experienced

jan22   3,184

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)
15 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

He is a medical student 

Observation is for medical doctors

 

https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam040202.html

 

(U) A medical doctor whose purpose for coming to the United States is to observe U.S. medical practices and consult with colleagues on latest techniques, if no remuneration is received from a U.S. source and no patient care is involved.  Failure to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is irrelevant in such a case.

You didn’t read far enough into the section.  Scroll further down and take a look at the first sentence in 9 FAM 402.2-5(E)(c). 

 

It, basically, says that an applicant coming to merely observe business, professional, or vocational activities can do so on a B1 visa.  Other than meeting the general requirements to qualify for a B visa, the only other stipulation for a B1 observer visa is that the applicant must pay their own way (i.e., they cannot receive any funds from the place they are observing).

Edited by jan22
 
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