What is a J-1 Visa Conrad State 30 Waiver for Physicians?

What is a J-1 Visa Conrad State 30 Waiver for Physicians?

Some J-1 visa holders are subject to a 2-year home country residency requirement. This rule requires J-1 visa holders to return home for two years after the end of their exchange program before they can change or adjust status. However, there are several waivers available for medical professionals on J-1 visa. The Conrad State 30 program is one of them.

The Conrad State 30 program allows foreign medical graduates who obtained a J-1 visa to waive the 2-year residency requirement so they can change or adjust status. In order to do that, they must have an offer of employment at a health care facility in a designated health care professional shortage area or a facility that serves patients from a such a designated area. Furthermore, the physician must agree to begin employment at that facility within 90 days of receiving the waiver and sign a contract to continue working at that health care facility for a total of 40 hours a week and for at least three years.

There are a limited number of waivers available per year (30), so timing is important in filing these waivers. A state health department must agree to the sponsorship of the waiver and must send a request to the waiver review division.

For more information about waiving the Conrad State 30 program, please contact our office for a free telephone consultation (15 minute) at 248-557-3645.

Sam R. Saif

Managing Attorney, Immigration Law Department

The Law Offices of Joumana Kayrouz, PLLC

phone: (248) 557-3645 fax: (248) 200-0645 email: sam@wordpress-388761-3181353.cloudwaysapps.com

1000 Town Center, Suite 800 Southfield, MI 48075