THE J1-WAIVER SPONSORS & SPECIALTIES

I probably mentioned this elsewhere too - the word 'visa' derives roots from the words like vista, view, vision etc, and it means, "has been seen".

Seen by whom ? By the immigration officer at the port of entry in USA and approved. That's why they say that getting a visa stamped on your passport at your home country does not automatically mean that you will be allowed entry into US. The Visa still needs to be viewed and approved by the immigration officer at the first airport you land within USA. Fortunately, a denial at the port of entry hardly occurs, but sporadic cases have occurred for individuals with suspicious backgrounds.

Arrite - back to J1-waiver basics : Every US Visa type needs a 'sponsor' - i.e. a organization or a person who is responsible for giving you a valid reason to enter the USA. For example an University will 'sponsor' an F1-visa... Likewise, the J1-waiver visa program has the following possible sponsors - each of which allow different specialties and have different requirements! :


1. State Government CONRAD 30 Program : Under this program, each American state is allowed upto 30 J1-waiver jobs per year in areas designated as underserved or shortage areas.

Note: Though the United States has 50 'States', there are four more additional regions that are are a part of the United States governance and are treated like a 'state' under the Conrad-30 program, i.e. are allowed to get their own 30 J-1 waiver positions each year. These include:

- District of Columbia (D.C.)
- Guam
- Puerto Rico and
- US Virgin Islands

That would mean a total of 54 X 30 = 1620 possible J-1 waiver positions under the Conrad-30 program each year.

The jobs are mostly for Primary care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics , Psychiatry) but many states many allow other specialties as well. You can check that out on the 3Rnet Website Here. For example Oregon seeks Surgeons, Ortho and Neurologists besides primary care physicians (PCPs) and more rural states like Wyoming would also want Cardiologists. But on the same site, California waiver program says : "This program is open to board eligible or board certified primary care physicians (GPs and FPs), gynecologists, pediatricians, and psychiatrists.physicians (GPs and FPs), gynecologists, pediatricians, and psychiatrists."

Now what on earth does 'Conrad' mean? ...I was inclined to believe it was a abbreviation of some sort until I found out that it's called so aftern Democrat Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota who started the program to improve supply of physicians to rural areas! J1 Guys should probably thank him ;-)
Click here to see his pic ..and Click here for his official website.



2. Department of Health and human Services (DHHS) : In order to be eligible for a DHHS waiver request, a physician must be either a primary care physician or a general psychiatrist who has completed a primary care or psychiatric residency-training program within the 12 months prior to employment. Primary care is defined as: general internal medicine, pediatrics, family practice, or obstetrics / gynecology. The waivers are limited to employment in underserved areas. There are no caps or limits to the number of J1-waiver visas they can sponsor, but still remain tough to get due to possible heavy federal government control.


3.Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) : The queer-looking word 'Appalachian' actually derives from the Appalachian Mountain areas which covers the entire state areas of West Virginia as well as parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. There are no caps or limits to the number of J1-waiver jobs in this category but are obviously limited to geographical regions mentioned above.

The ARC waiver jobs are available for docs who have completed residencies in following specialties : Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry or Obstetrics.


4. Veteran Affairs (VA) Hospitals: What sets apart a Waiver job at a VA hospital is it can be done in any place where the hospital exists - DOES NOT HAVE TO BE an Underserved area ! All that is needed is a 3-year work contract between the J1 physician and the hospital.

(Note: Some residents told me that securing an observership or rotations in VA hospitals might get you this advantage by getting to know docs in VA - I don't know how true is that, but something to think about)

Shall update this section more - particularly about "National Interest Waivers" (NIW) for physicians


Q. What specialties are most Waiver Jobs taken up in ?

A. Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Family Practice and Ob-Gyn - Note that Family Medicine Residency Programs also often train residents in Basic OB-Gyn.

J1 visa IMGs who complete fellowship training generally have it tougher to find J1-waiver job positions.

Be Sure to read about the J-1 waiver use figures and statistics


Also Read:

- Why are J1 waiver jobs tougher after completing fellowships




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