J-1 Visa Waivers

Photo Credit: Heather Ipson

Conrad State 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program

The Conrad State 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program exists to help recruit physicians to underserved areas. When physicians come to the US to complete their graduate medical education (GME) they come on a J-1 Visa. This visa allows them to complete their training, but then then requires them to return to their home country for two years before applying for a work visa. Physicians can waive this requirement by obtaining a waiver through the Conrad State 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program.

The Office of Primary Care and Rural Health is designated by the Governor of the State of Utah and United States Department of State to act as the State Department of Health Agency to review and recommend waiver applications for approval.

In order to be considered for a waiver, a physician must be contracted to work in a facility that is located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). You can use this link to determine if your facility is located in a HPSA.

Waiver slots are intended for use by primary care physicians, this includes family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry. However, requests will be considered for specialists, sub-specialists, and physicians practicing in a non-HPSA designated area if the site meets specific FLEX Slot requirements.

Utah has 20 slots available for primary care physicians and 10 slots for physicians meeting the FLEX Slots requirements. Applications are accepted starting October 1st for a period of one year until all slots are filled. We review applications on a first-come first-served basis.