NBRC J-1 Visa Waiver Program

Program Overview

The NBRC J-1 Visa Waiver Program assists eligible international medical graduates who completed U.S. medical training on a J-1 visa and are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. Through this program, NBRC may recommend a waiver to the U.S. Department of State, allowing physicians to remain in the United States and practice in federally designated shortage areas (HPSA – Health Professional Shortage Area or MUA – Medically Underserved Area) within the Northern Border Region.

Federal–State Partnership Requirement

NBRC is a Federal–State partnership. As a result:

  • All waiver requests must first be approved by the appropriate State Office of Rural Health or designated state J-1 program administrator.
  • Some states require physicians to apply through the Conrad 30 program until all slots are filled.
  • Applications must meet U.S. Department of State Requirements

Eligibility Requirements


Physician Eligibility
Physicians must:

  • Have completed medical training in the U.S. on a J-1 visa
  • Be subject to the two-year home-country residency requirement
  • Commit to three years of full-time service (40 hours/week)
  • Be eligible for medical licensure in ME, NH, NY, or VT
  • Have a signed employment contract and begin work within 90 days of waiver approval

Sponsoring Healthcare Facility Eligibility
Sponsoring facilities must:

  • Be located in a HPSA or MUA within the NBRC region
  • Demonstrate six months of good-faith recruitment for a U.S. citizen physician
  • Clearly document the need for the physician’s specialty
  • Serve Medicaid, Medicare, and medically indigent populations

Application Process

Step 1: State Review

  • Submit a complete waiver application to the State J-1 Visa Program Administrator.
  • If approved, the state forwards the application to NBRC with a letter of recommendation.

Step 2: NBRC Review

  • NBRC confirms receipt and conducts its review.
  • Decisions are typically issued within 30 days, though incomplete applications will delay review.

Step 3: Federal Review

  • Approved applications are forwarded to the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
  • DOS submits the case to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • USCIS notifies the applicant directly of the final decision.

Applicants must notify NBRC of:

Program Limitations

NBRC and state offices do not provide:

  • Immigration legal advice or representation
  • Physician recruitment or job placement
  • Employment negotiation assistance

Physicians seeking employment opportunities may consult 3RNET and should work with an immigration attorney for visa-related matters.

To find out if a medical facility is in a federally designated shortage area, visit the HRSA Data Warehouse page. 

Forms, Policies, and Guidance

Questions? For general inquiries about the NBRC J-1 Visa Waiver Program: j1visa@nbrc.gov