At SZE, we’ve worked with many foreign doctors who enter the U.S. to continue their medical education in a residency or fellowship under the J-1 exchange visitor visa. The J-1 visa for foreign medical graduates carries with it a two-year home residency requirement. If you are a J-1 physician who chooses to remain in the U.S., the SZE legal immigration team can help you obtain a waiver of the home residency requirement so that you are eligible to change status to H-1B or apply for your permanent residence.
We’re aware that obtaining a J-1 waiver can be a daunting task with so much already on your plate. SZE can simplify this process by working closely with your employer, the Department of State, and other government agencies to prepare and submit your application. Our experienced immigration team will guide you through the J-1 waiver process, including:
- Persecution Waivers - based on race, religion or political opinion
- Extreme Hardship Waivers – a US citizen or permanent resident immediate relative will suffer extreme hardship (other than economic hardship)
- Conrad State 30 and Interested Government Agency Waivers
The Conrad State 30 Program allows participating states to issue J-1 waivers for up to 30 J-1 physicians each year. You must agree to provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) [http://hpsafind.hrsa.gov/] or Medically Underserved Area (MUA) [http://www.muafind.hrsa.gov/] for a period of at least 3 years (in H-1B status). SZE will work with directly with the state health department to ensure that all requirements and deadlines for the J-1 waiver application are met.
An Interested Government Agency (IGA) a can request a waiver of the residency requirement on your behalf. In exchange for IGA sponsorship, you must agree to work full-time in either HPSA or MUA for at least 3 years in H-1B status. SZE works with the following IGAs for J-1 waivers:
- Department of Veterans Affairs (all practice areas; any state license will be accepted)
- Department of Health and Human Services (primary care and psychiatry)
- Appalachian Regional Commission (primary care in a member state of the ARC)
- Delta Regional Authority (primary care in a member state of the DRA)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
Once your J-1 waiver is approved, the experienced legal professionals at SZE will work with you in obtaining permanent residency, whether you plan to apply through the labor certification process, National Interest Waiver, or a family-based application.
RESOURCES FOR J-1 PHYSICIANS:
Health Professional Shortage Area Query
http://hpsafind.hrsa.gov/
Medically Underserved Area Query
http://www.muafind.hrsa.gov/
FFIED Geocoding System
http://www.ffiec.gov/Geocode/default.aspx
Department of State J-1 Waiver Site
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html
State Department of Health Contacts
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1292.html
Delta Regional Authority
http://www.dra.gov/programs/doctors/
Appalachian Regional Commission
http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=24