COVID-19: US asks doctors, nurses around the world to apply for visas

The United States has asked medical professionals seeking to work in America to apply for a work visa at the nearest US Embassy as part of measures to strengthen the health system to contain the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The government in a statement published on www . travel . state . gov on Friday , advised foreign medical professionals already in the US to consult with their sponsors to extend their programmes.
According to World Health Organisation statistics as of 12 : 00 pm on Friday , 63 , 570 people have been infected with the virus and nearly 884 have died in the US which is quickly becoming the new epicenter of the outbreak.
The statement read , “ We encourage medical professionals seeking to work in the United States on a work or exchange visitor , particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID – 19 , to reach out to the nearest embassy or consulate to request a visa appointment .
“ For those foreign medical professionals already in the United States :
“ J – 1 Alien Physicians ( medical residents ) may consult with their programme sponsor, ECFMG , to extend their programmes in the United States . Generally , a J – 1 program for a foreign medical resident can be extended one year at a time for up to seven years . ”
It noted that the expiration date on a US visa did not determine how long one can be in the United States .