J-1 Visa Program

J-1 Physicians, also known as Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) or International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are physicians from other countries who have sought and received a J-1 exchange visitor visa. The visa allows holders to remain in the U.S. until their studies are completed. At the completion of their studies they may stay in the country to practice in a federally designated health professional shortage area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA) if sponsored by an interested U.S. government agency. State government agencies may also sponsor J-1 physician waiver requests which are called Conrad State 30 programs.

Graduates of foreign medical schools can obtain a J-1 visa (education exchange visa) to attend a medical residency or fellowship training program in the U.S. This J-1 visa requires that upon completion of the training program, the foreign physician returns to their home country for at least two years, before applying for immigrant status to the U.S. The foreign physician can have this J-1 visa "home-residence" requirement waived, in return for providing primary care or general mental health care in federally designated rural and urban communities that have shortages of primary care physicians or psychiatrists. Foreign physicians usually apply for J-1 visa waivers in the summer before the last year of their training program.

For more information regarding the J-1 Visa program please contact us at the address below.

State Office of Rural Health
PO Box 1675
Honokaa, HI 96727

(808) 775-8883

sorh@doh.hawaii.gov