For international medical technologist Charen, the H-1B visa lottery made her dream of moving to the U.S. a reality in a matter of months from when she first applied to work with Conexus MedStaff. A popular choice for healthcare professionals who want the chance to start their new life in the United States as quickly as possible, the annual H-1B visa lottery gives selected applicants a shorter immigration process in comparison to alternative visas, such as the EB-3. We chatted with Charen about her H-1B experience.
“The H-1B is the fastest route to the United States, though you need to be lucky to get picked in the lottery, and I was one of those lucky ones,” said Charen – though she does admit to not believing her luck! “At first, I thought it was a scam! The fact that I was selected in the lottery right away feels like a one-in-a-million chance, especially because it was just five months after I signed with Conexus when I received the email that I had been chosen. It felt like a joke to me until I read the email again the next morning and realized this is real!”
Because it happened so quickly, Charen didn’t have her certificates and documentation ready to start the immigration process. She pulled everything together with Conexus’ help and guidance through every step.
After being selected in the H-1B visa lottery, it was just nine months before Charen was able to relocate to West Virginia from the Philippines.
At first, she found the move to be overwhelming, but claims that she realized it wasn’t that difficult when she started working. “The working environment here is better than in my country,” she explained. “I can experience a work-life balance here because my facility in the U.S. is not that big. The people are nice in my area, and my co-workers check on me to make sure I’m doing okay.”
Charen also credits her Engagement Manager, Tina, for helping her to settle in. Conexus Engagement Managers are located around the U.S. and are dedicated to helping our healthcare professionals across the country to live well in their new communities. Speaking of her shared experience with other Conexus healthcare professionals who live in the area, Charen said: “Tina helps us to explore West Virginia, and whenever I have any concerns, she always helps me out. Because of that, adjusting to my new environment hasn’t been that tough.”
Would she recommend H-1B to other international medical technologists and registered nurses? Yes, Charen would. “I recommend it to those who really want to get here fast, partnered with their luck. It’s a good thing that you can be already here working in the U.S. while you wait for the completion of your EB-3 visa.”
As the H-1B visa only offers a temporary work period in the U.S. of three years with the option to extend up to six years, Conexus works to secure an EB-3 visa for all our H-1B healthcare professionals. The EB-3 is a Green Card visa, enabling international medical technologists and registered nurses to work and live in the U.S. permanently.
The H-1B visa lottery process typically starts early in the calendar year. Conexus MedStaff will submit applications for all healthcare professionals who are interested in entering the lottery, making it important to start your application process with Conexus as soon as possible.
** Please note that in order to be submitted into the H-1B visa lottery in 2024, you must submit your application to Conexus MedStaff by Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Are you an international medical technologist or registered nurse looking to start a new career in the U.S.? Apply now to find out how we can help.