The goal of the J-1 Visa Waiver Program is to improve the accessibility of health care services in underserved areas by providing a J-1 visa waiver recommendations on behalf of foreign medical graduates who have obtained a J-1 visa waiver for graduate medical studies in the United States. J-1 visa waivers allow foreign physicians to practice in medically-underserved communities without returning to their home residence, thus, allowing them to receive nonimmigrant, H1B status (temporary worker in specialty occupation) for three years.
Applicants must receive a letter of support from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to be reviewed by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) before the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants a waiver of the requirement that a J-1 physician must return to the physician’s home country for two years upon completion of graduate medical studies.