If you are a dentist and dream of practicing your profession in the United States, it is important to know the main steps and requirements to make this goal a reality.
In this article, we’ll give you some important tips for becoming a dentist in the USA. Read on to realize the American dream!
What do you need to be a dentist in the USA?
To work as a dentist in the USA, you need to meet some essential requirements. See the main ones below:
Diploma validation
To become a dentist in America, in addition to a work permit, you need to validate your dental degree.
One document complements the other (the work permit and the diploma validation in the United States) and without both you can’t move forward.
So let’s clarify the two steps:
To get your diploma validated, you have to go through a process called “credential evaluation“, in which your academic background will be thoroughly evaluated to determine its equivalence in the United States.
For example, if you have a dental degree from a Brazilian university, the validation of the degree will analyze the workload, the curriculum, the subjects taken and the reputation of the educational institution, among other relevant aspects.
Based on this evaluation, it will be determined whether your diploma is equivalent to that of a dentist trained in the United States or not.
Proficiency in English
To work as a dentist in the USA, it is essential to be proficient in English, after all, you will be serving a public that speaks this language.
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam, therefore, is one of the main ways of proving your ability in the language and is widely accepted by educational institutions and state boards.
State Board requirements
Each state in the USA has its own state boards responsible for granting licenses to practice dentistry.
Therefore, research and understand the specific requirements of the state in which you intend to work, as they may vary in relation to exams, internships and other requirements.
Dental assistant qualification
While the process of validating the diploma is underway, an interesting option is to seek qualification to work as a dental assistant.
This position can allow you to gain practical experience in the US dental field, improve your skills and establish important professional contacts.
Work permit
To work as a dentist in the United States, in addition to obtaining a license to practice dentistry, you must have a valid work permit.
There are different types of work permits in the USA, and the choice depends on your immigration status. Here are the most common options:
- Green Card (Permanent Residence): if you have a Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident (LPR), then you have the right to live and work permanently in the United States. With a Green Card, you don’t need additional authorization to work as a dentist;
- Work Visa: there are several types of work visas available, each with specific requirements. Some common examples are the H-1B visa for qualified professionals and the TN visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Ideally, you should consult a US visa consultancysuch as D4U, to determine which work visa suits your circumstances and qualifications. Apart from the EB2-NIW visa, which we explain in detail below.
How to become a dentist in the USA: learn about the EB-2 NIW visa
As we’ve seen, if you’re already a dentist in Brazil or another country of origin and want to pursue your career in the USA, you need to validate your diploma, get a work permit and, in some cases, a sponsor.
However, these are not the only ways to work as a dentist in the United States. In fact, there is an option for qualified professionals, with recognition in their respective fields and more than 5 years of experience.
This option is the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) visa, a type of visa exclusively for professionals considered to be above average, and health professionals, such as dentists, have a great chance of obtaining this type of visa.
In addition, when you obtain the EB-2 NIW visa, you receive the Green Card, which is permanent residency in the United States.
The Green Card, on the other hand, offers a series of benefits and opportunities for you and your family, including the freedom to work in any state, access to social benefits and the possibility of applying for American citizenship after a certain period.
Finally, one of the biggest advantages of this method is that when you obtain your green card through the EB-2 NIW visa, you won’t need a specificsponsor to support your immigration process.
This means that you will have greater autonomy and flexibility in your career as a dentist in the United States, being able to choose the workplace and opportunities that best fit your professional goals.
EB-2 NIW visa requirements
To be eligible for the EB-2 NIW visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have proven academic training and experience in the dental field;
- Prove that your work as a dentist in the USA is in the national interest.
Check out the content on: EB2-NIW visa requirements: find out what they are and how to get one
Why choose D4U Immigration?
If you are looking for a reliable and experienced immigration consultancy to help you throughout the immigration process to the United States, D4U Immigration is the right choice.
With a successful track record and recognition as the best immigration consultancy in the United States and Latin America, there are several reasons why you should choose D4U Immigration to fulfill your dream of living in the United States. Check them out:
Proven experience
With more than 7,000 beneficiaries and an approval rate of approval rate of 99% for the EB2-NIW visaD4U Immigration has a solid track record and a history of success in helping qualified professionals achieve their dream green card.
https://d4uimmigration.com/br/aprovacoes/
Dedicated specialists
At D4U Immigration, you will have a dedicated specialist at every stage of the immigration process.
These highly qualified professionals have extensive knowledge of US immigration laws and regulations and are ready to offer personalized guidance and solutions tailored to your specific needs, such as certified translationfor example.
In addition, with D4U’s specialized team, you can create an quality and increase your chances of professional success in the USA!
Strategically located offices
With offices in Brazil, the United States and Europe, D4U Immigration offers a wide support network and a global presence.
This means that you will have access to trained professionals in different regions, ready to meet your needs and provide comprehensive support throughout the process.
Reapplication at no extra cost
D4U Immigration understands that each case is unique and may require re-applications in order to obtain the desired visa.
With this in mind, they offer re-application at no extra cost, ensuring that you have all the chances you need to succeed in your immigration journey.
Conclusion
Being a dentist in the USA requires planning, qualifications and knowledge of the processes needed to achieve this goal.
D4U Immigration, voted the best immigration consultancy in the United States and Latin America, can offer you all the support you need to realize your dream of working as a dentist in the USA.
Contact the D4U team and find out how the EB-2 NIW visa can lead you directly to a Green Card.