Physician Visa Waiver Programs

Conrad 30 Waiver

The Conrad 30 program allows international medical graduates that hold a J-1 visa to apply for a waiver of the two-year residence requirement, in their last year of training. In return, the physician must practice a total of three years in an approved underserved area in Pennsylvania. The programs focuses is on Primary Care providers however specialist may apply and will be considered on a as needed basis. The goal of the program is to improve access to primary care.

ARC Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program allows international medical graduates that hold a J-1 visa to apply for a waiver of their two-year residency requirement.  In return the physician must practice a total of three years.

The goal of the program is to improve access to comprehensive, affordable health care in the Appalachian Region.

Practice sites must be in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), within one of the counties identified by ARC.

Please Note:  On May 6, 2021 a new Federal Co-Chair Gayle Conelly Manchin was sworn in.

National Interest Waiver

National Interest Waivers is an exemption from the labor certification process and job offer requirements for advanced degree/exceptional ability physicians.
Time spent in J status does not apply.

In return for the waiver support the physician must practice for a total of five-years full-time.  If the physician has already completed a three-year Conrad 30 program, then an additional two years is needed.

A  letter of completion is needed from the state in which the physician had completed their waiver as proof of the three-year service commitment.