Which Advanced Standing Programs Prefer Dental Candidates with Green Cards?

So you’re an international dentist who’s interested in an advanced standing program so you can practice in the US or Canada. Great, but what if you don’t have US or Canadian permanent residency status (aka. a green card)? Will most programs still accept you, and if not, which ones aren’t likely to?

First, the good news: most advanced standing programs will still consider your application, and typically without paying too much attention to your immigration status. While your acceptance into a dental school can vary upon your citizenship/visa requirement, for most programs, they understand that the need for more dentists in both countries outweighs the number of people dental schools can graduate each year. They also know that your chances of gaining a permanent residency in the US or Canada is much higher than most other green card seekers, due to the high demand for dentists, especially in rural areas. Thus, providing you an opportunity to graduate with a DDS/DMD is typically a safe bet for them.

Here are a list of schools that accept candidates on B1/B2 visa and offer student visa F1 to study in the university are:

1. University of Michigan
2. Boston University
3. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
4. University of Southern California (USC)
5. University of Pennsylvania
6. Howard University
7. University of Colorado
8. University of Pacific
9. Virginia Commonwealth University
10. Rutgers University
11. University of Washington
12. University of Pittsburgh
13. University of San Antonio
14. University of Southern Illinois
15. University of Buffalo
16. Loma Linda University
17. Temple University

Related Article: University of Buffalo IDP Interview Preparation

That said, there are some programs that are more hesitant about accepting non-permanent residents into their advanced standing (or even residency) programs. Some make that crystal clear on their program websites by stating it in their list of requirements. Others make it less clear and don’t mention this preference in their official program requirements. Some even claim that they consider all canddiates, irrespective of their residency status, but privately are known to not invite candidates who don’t have permanent residency to their interviews (or do so very rarely).

The following is a list of schools that have been known to strongly prefer candidates with a green card or permanent resident status:

1. University of Illinois at  Chicago
2. University of Alabama
3. New York University
4. University of Oklahoma
5. University of Florida
6. Tufts University
7. Indiana University

DISCLAIMER: Please note, the lists above are not official lists, just assessments from our own candidates over the years, who have informed us of what they’ve heard or experienced. Also, please be aware that some of the schools listed below might have changed their policy regarding candidates without permanent residency, so best to do your own independent research. If you believe any school listed above is incorrectly categorized, please leave us a comment below!