J1 Waiver for doctors and scientists

What is a J1 visa?
Definition:
J-1 Visa – A J-1 Visa is granted to foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who wish to pursue graduate medical training in the US. IMGs are allowed to remain in the US until they have completed their medical training (for up to seven years). At the completion of their studies, FMGs are expected to return to their home countries for two years before applying for a different nonimmigrant status or permanent residency in the US.

What is a J1 Waiver?

A J1 Waiver relieves an IMG from the obligation to return to his or her home country for two years, and allows the IMG to apply for an immigration status that would allow him or her to remain and work lawfully in the US.

The importance of shortage areas in relationship to the J1 Waiver.

The most popular way a physician on a J1 visa can obtain a waiver to allow them to change their status to H-1B is to find a ‘J1 Waiver” job in a designated shortage area. These jobs have specific requirements and the filing procedure and requirements may vary depending on the specific shortage area. Furthermore, although the H-1B visa does not count toward the annual cap, there are certain restrictions that must be followed.

Rural areas, inner cities, Indian reservations and other designated shortage areas often experience difficulties in the recruitment and retention of physicians. In many cases, the ability of healthcare facilities to remain open and provide the necessary healthcare to the population depends on having an adequate staff of physicians. Due to these difficulties, many communities turn to the recruitment of foreign medical graduates with a J-1 Visa to fill their physician needs. Health care facilities in these designated shortage areas may sponsor candidates for a J1 waiver to allow the physician to work in lawful H-1B status.

To learn about all of your J1 Waiver options visit our J1 Waiver Resource Center.