What is the Conrad 30 waiver program for legal status?

People in Miami may be aware that the new administration of President Donald J. Trump may be seeking to alter the way in which the ways a person can immigrate to the U.S. One issue that pertinent for some of those seeking to come to the U.S., and for those who would like to hire these individuals, is the Conrad 30 waiver program. This is a program to provide visas for medical doctors — known as a J-1 visa — so they can have a two-year residency in the U.S. The idea behind this is to account for a shortage of trained doctors in areas that need them.

There are eligibility requirements for a J-1 medical doctor. They must agree to be employed on a fulltime basis in H-1B non-immigrant at a location that was designated by the authorities. They must receive a contract from a health facility located in the particular area. They must get a letter that states there is no objection from the home country if the trip was funded by that country. The immigrant must agree to start work at the facility within 90 days of getting the waiver and not the date at which the J-1 visa expires.

To apply to work as a J-1 doctor, it is required that the person receive sponsorship from a state health department and complete the applicable review application form of the U.S. Department of State (DOS.) The state public health department that is sponsoring the J-1 doctor is required to send the waiver application to the DOS Waiver Review Division to get a recommendation. After the recommendation has been given, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be informed electronically. If the waiver is granted, there are specific forms that the petitioner must fill out and provide. The doctor must practice medicine in the designated area for a minimum of three years.

After this is completed, the J-1 doctor can apply for an immigrant visa, permanent residency status or an H or L non-immigrant visa. Since immigration laws are currently in flux, those who are seeking to come to the U.S. must be aware of how to deal with these issues. Speaking to an attorney who is experienced in US immigration law is essential.

Source: uscis.gov, “Conrad 30 Waiver Program,” accessed on March 21, 2017