My degree is in medicine, but I do research. Does EB-1B require a medical license?

No. If you are applying for EB-1B as a researcher, you do not need a medical license for that purpose. This category is designed for outstanding researchers and professors, and what it evaluates is your excellence in research, not the clinical practice of medicine.

In other words, even with a medical degree, if your current work is in research, the petition focuses on your academic and scientific contributions, such as publications, citations, and peer recognition. A license to practice medicine is not a requirement for this pathway.

The caveat relates to what you intend to do in the United States:

• If the goal is to continue in research, a medical license is not part of the EB-1B equation.
• If, at some point, you want to practice clinical medicine, then you will need to meet the applicable licensing requirements, which are set at the state level and vary from place to place.

Since each case is evaluated individually, it is worth confirming the current requirements at the official source (USCIS) and, if you plan to practice clinically in the future, also reviewing the licensing rules of the state where you intend to work.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.