Can Spain Surgeons Really Get US Green Cards?

You're a surgeon in Spain. Maybe you specialize in cardiac procedures, orthopedic operations, or neurosurgery. You've trained extensively, completed residencies, and built a strong medical career.

Can you get a US green card without finding an American hospital to sponsor you?

Yes. The EB-2 NIW physician pathway exists specifically for medical professionals whose work serves America's healthcare needs.

Ready to explore your green card options as a surgeon? Schedule a consultation with Beyond Border today and we'll evaluate which EB-2 pathway fits your qualifications.

‍

‍

Understanding EB-2 Visa for Doctors

The term "Doctors" within the EB-2 NIW is broader than only encompassing doctors, and typically includes medical doctors, physicians, surgeons, specialists, researchers, and other professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in the medical field Oguz Law.

This matters because surgeons in Spain qualify under multiple categories. Your MD degree counts. Your specialized surgical training counts. Your research publications count. Your years of clinical experience definitely count.

The EB2 visa for doctors removes major obstacles. No job offer required. No labor certification needed. You petition yourself based on how your medical expertise benefits America.

Think about it. Most employment green cards force your employer to prove no qualified American doctor exists for your role. This PERM labor certification takes 15-24 months and costs thousands. Hospitals don't always want that burden.

The EB2 NIW offers unparalleled freedom, allowing you to petition for yourself, bypassing the arduous process of finding a US employer willing to sponsor your visa Kameli Law.

Two Different NIW Pathways for Surgeons

Spain surgeons face a choice between two distinct EB2 for doctors routes.

Standard NIW Under Dhanasar Framework

The Matter of Dhanasar case established three key criteria: your proposed endeavor has both substantial merit and national importance, you are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, and on balance it would benefit the United States to waive job offer requirements Kameli Law.

This path works for surgeons whose medical work, research, or specialized practice demonstrates national importance. Perhaps you developed innovative surgical techniques. Maybe your research advances minimally invasive procedures. Or your expertise addresses critical gaps in American surgical capabilities.

You don't need to work in underserved areas. You can practice anywhere. Your focus stays on proving the broader impact of your medical contributions.

Physician-Specific NIW

USCIS may grant the national interest waiver because a physician has worked or agrees to work for a period of time in a designated underserved area, with most physician NIW cases requiring 5 years of service USCIS.

This streamlined option requires commitment rather than extraordinary achievements. You agree to work full-time in areas where America desperately needs doctors.

You must work either in a Health Professional Shortage Area, Mental Health Professional Area for psychiatrists only, a Medically Underserved Area, or a Veterans Affairs facility, or for specialists in a Physician Scarcity Area Shihabimmigrationfirm.

The trade-off? Five years of required service before getting your green card. But the approval process is simpler because legislation specifically designed this pathway for foreign physicians.

Wondering which NIW pathway makes sense for your surgical specialty? Beyond Border can assess your qualifications and recommend the strongest approach.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Both EB-2 NIW physician pathways start with baseline qualifications.

You need an advanced degree. A profession is defined as one of the occupations listed in section 101(a)(32) of the Immigration and Nationality Act: architects, engineers, lawyers, physicians, surgeons, and teachers Clark Hill. Your MD from Spain qualifies. Your specialized surgical training strengthens your case.

Alternatively, exceptional ability works. This requires demonstrating expertise significantly above the norm through at least three criteria including professional licenses, high salary, membership in professional associations, or recognition for achievements.

You must pass US medical licensing exams. Your credentials need evaluation. And you must prove English proficiency.

America will still face healthcare shortages in 2025, particularly in rural areas with low population densities, presenting a compelling opportunity for overseas health care workers Olena Manilich.

Proving National Importance as a Surgeon

Standard NIW applicants face the Dhanasar three-prong test.

Prong One: Substantial Merit and National Importance

Doctors may prove substantial merit by detailing their scientific research on specific fields of medicine or their experience as a doctor to the benefit of society, with endeavors potentially having national importance because of national or even global implications within a particular field such as certain medical advances Oguz Law.

For surgeons, this means showing how your work extends beyond treating individual patients. Maybe you developed protocols that improve surgical outcomes. Perhaps your techniques reduce complications or recovery times. Or your research addresses conditions affecting large populations.

Published research helps enormously. So do patents on surgical devices. Letters from medical leaders confirming your innovations carry weight. Evidence of training other surgeons demonstrates broader impact.

Prong Two: Well Positioned to Advance the Work

Past achievements prove future potential. Your surgical training, years of experience, successful outcomes, publications, awards, and leadership positions all matter.

Include documentation of complex procedures performed, patient outcomes achieved, research conducted, and recognition received from medical institutions or professional societies.

Strong recommendation letters from respected surgeons, department chairs, or medical researchers should confirm your capabilities and explain why your work matters nationally.

Prong Three: Balancing the Waiver Benefit

Why should America waive normal requirements for you specifically? USCIS continues to prioritize detailed documentation that shows how your work benefits the public or the healthcare system Olena Manilich.

Perhaps your surgical specialty addresses critical shortages. Maybe your research timeline can't wait for lengthy labor certification. Or your planned practice serves underserved populations even without formal commitment requirements.

Need help building a compelling national importance argument for your surgical expertise? Beyond Border specializes in crafting persuasive petitions for medical professionals.

The Physician-Specific NIW Process

The USCIS rules clarify that the physician must agree to practice full-time in a HHS-designated Primary Medical Health Professional Shortage Area or a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, with only physicians practicing in family/general medicine, pediatrics, general internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and psychiatry eligible WeGreened.

Wait. Does this exclude surgeons?

Specialists including surgeons can qualify through Physician Scarcity Areas rather than general HPSAs. For specialists in a Physician Scarcity Area, you must obtain an attestation statement from a federal agency or a state department of health that has knowledge of your qualifications as a physician Shihabimmigrationfirm.

The attestation process varies by state. Contact the state department of health where you plan to practice. They evaluate whether your surgical specialty addresses documented shortages in that location.

You file Form I-140 after securing the attestation. Under a Physician NIW, aliens are not eligible to adjust status to permanent resident until they have completed the required five years of service in an underserved area HooYous.

This means you can get I-140 approval quickly but must fulfill the five-year commitment before receiving your green card. Time worked before filing can count toward the requirement in most cases.

Processing Timeline and Costs

Standard EB2 NIW processing time takes 14 to 19 months at Texas Service Center and up to 19 months at Nebraska Service Center for the I-140 petition, with premium processing reducing this to 45 days for an additional $2,805 fee Beyondborderglobal.

The physician-specific NIW often processes faster due to clear statutory requirements. But remember the five-year service obligation before final green card approval.

Filing fees for an EB-2 NIW petition usually include the I-140 filing fee of $700, as well as an optional premium processing fee of $2805 as of 2025, plus adjustment of status filing fee of $1,440 for Form I-485 Olena Manilich.

Add biometric fees and medical examination costs. Attorney fees typically range $4,000 to $7,000 for doctors seeking EB-2 NIW depending on case complexity.

Total costs run $4,700 to $7,700 for most surgeon applications when including all government fees and professional legal services.

Want accurate cost estimates for your specific situation? Beyond Border provides detailed consultations for Spain-based surgeons exploring US immigration.

Success Rates and Current Trends

The EB2 NIW approval rate rose from 62.7 percent in Q1 2025 to 67.3 percent in Q2 2025, representing a recovery from the concerning drop seen in 2024 when approval rates plummeted to just 43 percent Beyondborderglobal.

Medical professionals generally fare better than average. Doctors, nurses, public health specialists, and medical researchers often qualify due to their direct impact on US public health Colombo & Hurd.

Strong cases with comprehensive documentation still win approval. The January 2025 policy update emphasized specific evidence requirements. Generic claims no longer work.

Spain Surgeons' Advantages

Surgeons from Spain bring valuable qualifications. Strong medical education systems. Rigorous training requirements. Often experience with advanced surgical techniques.

Your international training diversifies American healthcare. Your research may address conditions affecting multiple populations. Your techniques might improve outcomes across the system.

Focus on these strengths when building your petition.

Beyond Border has helped hundreds of international medical professionals secure EB-2 NIW approval. Let us create a winning strategy for your green card application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between standard NIW and physician NIW for surgeons?

Standard EB-2 NIW physician pathways require proving national importance through the Dhanasar test without geographic restrictions, while physician-specific NIW demands five years full-time service in designated underserved areas with simpler approval criteria.

Can surgeons from Spain qualify for EB2 visa for doctors?

Yes, Spain surgeons qualify for EB2 visa for doctors by holding MD degrees meeting advanced degree requirements or demonstrating exceptional ability, then proving either national importance or committing to underserved area service.

How long does EB2 for doctors processing take?

EB2 for doctors I-140 processing averages 14-19 months under standard review or 45 days with premium processing costing $2,805, though physician-specific NIW may require completing five years service before final green card approval.

What are the costs for EB-2 NIW physician applications?

Total costs range $4,700-$7,700 including I-140 filing fee of $700, premium processing of $2,805 if selected, I-485 adjustment of status fee of $1,440, plus attorney fees typically $4,000-$7,000 for medical professionals.

Do Spanish surgeons need US job offers for EB2 NIW?

No, EB-2 NIW physician pathways allow self-petitioning without employer sponsorship, though physician-specific NIW requires attestation letters from state health departments confirming work plans in designated shortage areas serve public interest.