23.    Immigration Planning: It is never too early to start.

There are various options available for individuals to obtain resident alien status.  Some of these procedures have already been discussed in this memo.  However, an important feature which you should take part in is “immigration planning”.  It is important that you meet periodically with an attorney engaged in Immigration Law who can assist you in planning for your future.  For example, if you are a physician in H-1B status in a residency which will take three years, should you go on a fellowship? Should you take a chief residency? Should you obtain a job as an attending physician?

Very often, a client will advise me regarding their plans of going for a three year fellowship after completing three years of residency.  Additionally, their long term goal is to live happily ever after in the United States as a resident alien (green card holder) and eventually as a U.S. citizen.  However, it is my job to assist them in determining whether it is possible to do a residency and fellowship for six years and still somehow find a way to become a resident alien and avoid leaving the United States.

There are various options.  Most of them will not be feasible until finishing residency and finding an attending job.  However, that is not always the case.  Every situation is different.  Accordingly, it is recommended that you meet with an attorney engaged in Immigration Law annually.  Telephone consultations can be scheduled at your convenience, thereby eliminating the necessity for your having to come to this office for a face to face meeting.  Hopefully, through appropriate planning, you will be able to coordinate your short term and long term goals so that they merge into the reality of being a Permanent Resident in the United States should that be your ultimate goal.  Through immigration planning, you will be able to get a clear picture of where you are going and be able to select the appropriate road to reach that goal.

Last Updated: December 2, 2004