J-1 Visa Rules

The Conrad State 30 Program was established by federal law to allow state health agencies to hire up to 30 foreign-trained physicians annually to practice in rural and inner-city communities—areas that often face substantial difficulties in trying to attract medical personnel.

Normally, physicians who come to the U.S. on J-1 visas can stay up to seven years and then must return to their home countries for at least two years before they are eligible to apply for a permanent visa to work in the United States.

These physicians can, however, request a J-1 visa waiver, which eliminates the requirement that they return to their home country for two years, allowing them to remain and practice in the United States.

The states and three federal agencies requested more than 1,000 J-1 visa waivers for all types of physicians in each of Fiscal Years 2003 through 2005.

More information on the Conrad State 30 Program and other J-1 visa waiver opportunities is posted at<www.mdgreencard.com/hhs.html>.