J-1 Visa Waiver Program Overview

An international medical graduate (IMG) who enters the United States to complete graduate medical education does so under a J-1 visa (educational exchange visa). This visa requires the IMG to return to the country of nationality upon completion of that education for a period of not less than two years before reentering the United States.

Despite extensive recruitment efforts, some rural and urban communities are unable to recruit or retain an adequate number of qualified U.S. primary care physicians. In an effort to improve access to health care for residents of underserved areas, the J-1 Visa Waiver Program permits interested government agencies to request that the United States Department of State recommend that the Immigration and Naturalization Service waive the foreign residency requirement in exchange for an agreement that an IMG who completes medical training in the United States will practice primary care for at least three years in a federally designated health professional shortage area or a medically underserved area.

J-1 Physicians licensed in primary care specialties (Family Physicians, General Internists, OB/GYN, Pediatricians), mental health or specialty medicine can apply for the waiver. We encourage you to use our free recruitment service, Primary Practice Opportunities of Virginia (PPOVA) to find a position.

A J-1 Visa Waiver physician must practice primary care medicine full-time in the geographic area or areas that are designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA).

Mailing Address

The J-1 Visa Waiver application and forms must be printed, completed, and sent by surface mail or courier to:

Virginia Department of Health
Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy
Attn: Health Workforce Incentives Manager
109 Governor Street, Suite 1016 East
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Note: J-1 Waiver Application request must come from a qualifying entity with a signed contract.

Due to the tremendous volume of candidate responses, this office prioritizes submissions received from J-1 and H-1B visa holders and offers assistance first to those who have been trained in Virginia.