Bridging the Gap with J1 Physicians

In 1997, a final rule amended the Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations relating to waivers of the 2-year home country residence and physical presence requirement. These waivers are intended to ease health care shortages by allowing certain foreign medical graduates (FMGs) to work at health care facilities located in geographic areas designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) as having a shortage of health care professionals (HHS-designated shortage areas).

A State Department of Public Health is now allowed to submit waiver requests directly to USIA for FMGs practicing medicine in HHS-designated shortage areas.

Requirements for J-1 waivers are numerous and include

• Submission of a "no objection'' statement from the government of his or her home country, if he or she is contractually obligated to return to that country;
  
• Demonstration of an offer of full-time employment at a health care facility located in an HHS-designated shortage area and agree to begin employment within 90 days of receiving the waiver approval;
  
• Agreement to practice medicine for that health care facility for at least 3 years; and
  
• Agreement to practice medicine only in HHS-designated shortage areas during this 3-year period.
  

Funding for Life Support is provided by a grant from USDA Rural Development