About Visa for the Step 2 CS: The "CS Visa"
Let us get some basics straightened out for the benefit of newbies to CS -
1. You can take the Step 2 CS on ANY visa - visitors (B1/B2), Student (F1), H1, J1, K1 L1 ..just about any legal independent or Dependant visa status. All you have to do is enter the USA legally.
2. When you apply to ECFMG for the Step 2 CS exam, you may indicate that you would like a letter fr
om the ECFMG which states that you are required to be in the USA for the Clinical Skills exam and that you would need a visa for the same. This is the so called "CS Visa" that you will hear or read people talking about now and then.
The "CS visa" is a type a visitor's visa granted for the purpose of taking the CS. It can be a one-month visa, or some lucky folks even secure a 10-year multiple entry visa and even some getting more time than a month. On the bad side of the luck equation, you may be rejected the visa.
Improving your chances for the "CS Visa":
The uncontrollable bad-luck factor will always exist, like a bad marital-life of the stamping officer ;-) , but to improve your chances for the CS visa, you should consider getting done with both Step 1 and Step 2 CK and produce the score reports at the time of the visa stamping. This gives the visa officials strong reasons to believe that you are indeed serious about the exams. After all, remember that the visa guys are non-medicos and operate on protocols and some degree of personal impressions too.
The usual documents like strong finances, employed status - yeah - showing that you are employed in your country does help improve chances, which means its highly recommended that you show an employment letter if you are employed.
Thus, while not a perfect rule, it would be on the safer side to go for a "CS visa" with the ECFMG letter AFTER you have Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores in hand ..or at least one score and a exam permit for the other as proof of intent.
If you intend to take the CS before any other USMLE Step, some people are beginning to think that other visa options might be a safer bet...
Secondly, while deciding on the visa choice, you will also need to consider WHEN you take the Step 2 CS in relation to any upcoming interviews or observerships ...
ECFMG words about CS:
"Upon request, ECFMG provides Step 2 CS applicants with a letter that may assist during the process of applying for a visa. The letter indicates that the applicant is registered for Step 2 CS, one of the exams required for ECFMG Certification. The letter also indicates that the applicant is required to travel to the United States to take the exam and provides the date by which the applicant must complete the exam. You can request this letter when you apply for Step 2 CS. ECFMG will send the letter to you via postal mail after completion of the registration process. If you are unable to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the United States to take Step 2 CS, you may request a full refund of the exam fee."
Note for Indian IMGs: Click here for a great site that guides you about the ABC's of applying for a visa in India.
Google Keywords to this blog article:
- "cs visas"
- "how to get letter for CSA from ECFMG for visa"
Let us get some basics straightened out for the benefit of newbies to CS -
1. You can take the Step 2 CS on ANY visa - visitors (B1/B2), Student (F1), H1, J1, K1 L1 ..just about any legal independent or Dependant visa status. All you have to do is enter the USA legally.
2. When you apply to ECFMG for the Step 2 CS exam, you may indicate that you would like a letter fr
om the ECFMG which states that you are required to be in the USA for the Clinical Skills exam and that you would need a visa for the same. This is the so called "CS Visa" that you will hear or read people talking about now and then.The "CS visa" is a type a visitor's visa granted for the purpose of taking the CS. It can be a one-month visa, or some lucky folks even secure a 10-year multiple entry visa and even some getting more time than a month. On the bad side of the luck equation, you may be rejected the visa.
Improving your chances for the "CS Visa":
The uncontrollable bad-luck factor will always exist, like a bad marital-life of the stamping officer ;-) , but to improve your chances for the CS visa, you should consider getting done with both Step 1 and Step 2 CK and produce the score reports at the time of the visa stamping. This gives the visa officials strong reasons to believe that you are indeed serious about the exams. After all, remember that the visa guys are non-medicos and operate on protocols and some degree of personal impressions too.
The usual documents like strong finances, employed status - yeah - showing that you are employed in your country does help improve chances, which means its highly recommended that you show an employment letter if you are employed.
Thus, while not a perfect rule, it would be on the safer side to go for a "CS visa" with the ECFMG letter AFTER you have Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores in hand ..or at least one score and a exam permit for the other as proof of intent.
If you intend to take the CS before any other USMLE Step, some people are beginning to think that other visa options might be a safer bet...
Secondly, while deciding on the visa choice, you will also need to consider WHEN you take the Step 2 CS in relation to any upcoming interviews or observerships ...
ECFMG words about CS:
"Upon request, ECFMG provides Step 2 CS applicants with a letter that may assist during the process of applying for a visa. The letter indicates that the applicant is registered for Step 2 CS, one of the exams required for ECFMG Certification. The letter also indicates that the applicant is required to travel to the United States to take the exam and provides the date by which the applicant must complete the exam. You can request this letter when you apply for Step 2 CS. ECFMG will send the letter to you via postal mail after completion of the registration process. If you are unable to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the United States to take Step 2 CS, you may request a full refund of the exam fee."
Note for Indian IMGs: Click here for a great site that guides you about the ABC's of applying for a visa in India.
Google Keywords to this blog article:
- "cs visas"
- "how to get letter for CSA from ECFMG for visa"
Labels: ECFMG Visa Letter, Step 2 CS Visa
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posted by Digitaldoc, MD at 12:58 AM
COMMENTS ON ""
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Anonymous said ... (9:00 AM) :
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Digitaldoc, MD said ... (9:09 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (12:23 PM) :
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Anonymous said ... (10:46 PM) :
Post a commenthey digidoc,,plz reply fast.i plan to reach Us to take my CS by july.but ive to apply for visa with jus my step 1 score.i will be takin my step 2 ck in us after my step 2 cs..meanwhile ill be doin externship too.i will be left with 3 months only to study for step 2 ck..now..what are the visa chances? and is my time for step 2 ck sufficient?reply ASAP..plss
visa is never a guarantee, even with both scores - but good scores on other steps does seem to help the chances. people have got visas for CS without any other steps too.
3 months may be barely enough if you are doing it along with a busy externship - think over it.
Thanks Digidoc..great site!
My visa interview was over even before it started....
consulate officer said 'nice tie....' and I said I wanted to appear for CS....she said show me step1 report I gave her the report and lo, she says visa granted for 10 years!
Thanks for tips guys...dressup well before you go!
cheers
whats the colour and pattern of ur tie..lol can u mail me ur tie ??