The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) participates in the State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver, the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Interest Waiver programs in order to increase access to health care services for Ohio’s vulnerable and underserved populations. Waivers are granted through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services within the Department of Homeland Security. 

J-1 Visa waivers allow foreign medical graduates to remain in the United States after completing residency/fellowship training in exchange for a three-year commitment to provide health care services in a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (MHPSA). Qualified international graduates granted waivers must serve full time in a clinical capacity and provide health care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Eligibility

The J-1 Visa Waiver Program is open to all physician specialties, although the preference is for primary care physicians.  J-1 physicians seeking waivers cannot apply directly to ODH; applications are accepted only from sponsoring health care facilities.  Sponsoring health care facilities as well as J-1 physicians must accept Medicaid, Medicare and uninsured patients, and must provide a sliding fee scale based on 200 percent of the current federal poverty level.   

Application

The sponsoring health care facility must submit an application including a non-refundable application fee of $3,571.00.  Applications for the State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program are accepted starting Oct. 1 of each federal fiscal year and are considered by the J-1 Visa Waiver Review Panel for recommendation to the director of Health.  If approved, the sponsoring health care facility and J-1 physician are required to submit an employment verification form and annual reports to ODH. ODH monitors the performance of physicians granted approval and placed through the State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver program.

Forms and Resources

For more information on the Ohio State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program: