VIRGINIA CONRAD 30 WAIVER PROGRAM AND ARC J-1 WAIVER PROGRAM

The 2026-2027 application cycle will be October 16, 2026 - April 16, 2027.

Applications should not be submitted before the official open enrollment period beginning on October 16, 2026. Applications submitted before then are at risk of not being reviewed. We appreciate your interest in the program, and we look forward to receiving your application.

Conrad 30 Waiver Program Overview

Federal Law requires International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are not U.S. citizens to apply for the J-1 visa, which allows IMGs to remain in the U.S. until they complete their studies. Following their studies, the IMGs on J-1 visas (the "J-1 Physicians") must return to their home country for at least two (2) years before they can return to the U.S.

The Virginia Conrad 30 Waiver Program sponsors J-1 Physicians who agree to serve in medically underserved areas of the Commonwealth to request a waiver of the “two-year home country physical presence requirement".

All Virginia Conrad 30 Waiver applications must be submitted online through the application portal linked above. A complete application must include the following:

 

          • The complete application packet with all supporting documents.
          • The typed checklist is at the top of the application. The most current checklist is now posted. (Application Checklist)
          • The U.S. Department of State assigned number affixed to each form in the bottom right corner.
          • Alphabetical placement headers to identify each section. (Placement Headers Example link)

           

Incomplete applications will be returned and will not be reviewed. Please see the Conrad 30 Waiver Program Guidelines for detailed clarifications: (Guidelines)

Other Programs

National Interest Waiver Program

Guidelines revised 040117 - NIW

Physician Statement Sample

ARC J-1 Waiver Program

New ARC Checklist Guide

Fees

There is currently no application fee for the Virginia Conrad 30 Waiver Program.

Improving access to primary health care and needed specialty care in medically underserved areas is an important goal of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The purpose of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Conrad 30 Waiver Program is to increase access by sponsoring J-1 Physicians who agree to serve in medically underserved areas of the Commonwealth to waive the “two-year home country physical presence requirement,” which would otherwise be required.

Contact Virginia Conrad, 30 J-1 Visa Waiver:
Attn: Virginia Conrad 30 Waiver
109 Governor Street, Suite 714 West
Richmond, Virginia 23219

 

If you have any questions about the program, please get in touch with the Workforce Incentive Program Team by calling (804) 864-7435 or emailing incentiveprograms@vdh.virginia.gov.