J-1 Visa Waiver Program
The J-1 Visa Waiver program allows foreign medical graduates to stay within the United States in exchange for a commitment to serve in particular areas for a three-year period. The goal of the program is to enable better access to quality health care services by increasing the availability of physicians in areas of West Virginia that are federally designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or a Medically Underserved Area (MUA).
Appalachian Regional Commision (ARC)
ARC's mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.
ARC is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president.
Under certain circumstances, the Appalachian Regional Commission will request a waiver of immigration requirements for foreign-trained physicians doing residency work in the United States under a J-1 visa. Physicians receiving these waivers must practice for at least three years in rural Appalachian areas that suffer significant shortages of health care providers. These areas, called Health Professional Shortage Areas, are identified by the U.S. Public Health Service.
Requests for waivers under the ARC J-1 Visa Program must be sponsored by a state within the Appalachian Region. All inquiries should be made to state contacts.
For more information on J-1Visa Waiver Conrad 30 / ARC through WVSORH, contact
Bethlhem Amare J-1 Visa Coordinator