Need a J-1 Waiver? We can help.

We help physicians navigate the complex J-1 waiver process so you can remain in the U.S. and achieve your career goals in the medical field.

Interested Government Agency (IGA) Waivers

Conrad 30 Waivers

Under the Conrad 30 Program, the State Department of Health for each state in the U.S. has the ability to sponsor up to 30 physicians annually for a waiver of the 2 year home residency requirement. In exchange for receiving a J-1 waiver under the Conrad 30 program, a physician must agree to work for 3 years in a medically underserved area.

Our attorneys are not only experts in preparing and filing successful Conrad 30 J-1 waiver applications, but they also provide strategic counseling for physicians during every step of the waiver process from job search to state program evaluation to ranking and contingency planning, as well as navigating post-waiver compliance issues and extenuating circumstances transfers if the need arises.

HHS Waivers

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also has the ability to sponsor J-1 waivers for physicians practicing in a primary care specialty (family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology) or general psychiatry. The physician must also be working at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Rural Health Clinic or Native American/Alaskan Native tribal medical facility located in a health professional shortage area (HPSA) with a score of 7 or higher. In exchange for receiving a J-1 waiver under the HHS program, a physician must agree to work for 3 years in the medically underserved area.

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Hardship Waivers

A physician may qualify for a waiver of the 2 year home residency requirement if they can prove that their departure from the U.S. would cause an extreme hardship to their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse or child. If a physician is granted a Hardship Waiver, the physician is not required to work in a medically underserved area for 3 years, as is the case with Conrad 30 and HHS waivers.

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Persecution Waivers

A physician may qualify for a waiver of the 2 year home residency requirement if they can demonstrate a “well founded fear of persecution" based on their membership in an established group, such as a religious, ethnic, political, or professional group. Under this category, there is no requirement that the physician have a spouse or child who is a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. Also, If a physician is granted a Persecution Waiver, the physician is not required to work in a medically underserved area for 3 years, as is the case with Conrad 30 and HHS waivers.

 

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No Objection Waivers

Certain individuals may apply for a J-1 waiver upon receiving a No Objection Statement from their home country government confirming that their home country does not require them fulfill the 2 year home and it does not object to the individual potentially becoming a permanent resident in the United States.

Note: Foreign national physicians who participated in a Graduate Medical Education (GME) clinical training program in J-1 visa status are not eligible to apply for a No Objection Waiver.

However, physicians who are subject to the 2 year home residency requirement based on medical research performed in J-1 status are eligible to apply for a No Objection waiver.

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