Chilean & Singaporean H-1B1 Program in Charleston, SC

In September 2003, free Trade Agreements were signed between the U.S. and Singapore & Chile. These created a new non-immigrant H-1B1 work visa classification effective January 2004. This visa does not allow self-employment or independent contracting. Essentially, it is the same as an H-1B visa with the same requirements and restrictions but unique only to these 2 countries. This program has a cap on the number of visas to be issued at 1,400 for Chile and 5,400 for Singapore, unaffected by the H-1B cap. Unfortunately, it does affect the H-1B yearly cap. It is issued for 1 year at a time but can be extended indefinitely.

One drawback to this visa is that it does not support the Dual Intent Doctrine. Consequently, you cannot extend the H-1B1 once you begin a permanent residency process. So you should consider switching to an H-1B before pursuing a green card.

Physicians from Singapore can utilize this special program provided they primarily do research and teaching with patient care only incidental to their employment. However, this bar is eliminated if they have their state medical license and have passed the ECFMG English Test and the FLEX examination or USMLE Parts I, II, and III.

We can help answer your questions and process your visa. Remember, "with immigration, nothing is as simple as it first appears"℠.