J-1 Visa Waiver
The Ohio State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program policy and procedures are currently under review. A new application packet will be available once the review is completed. Please do not submit applications at this time. Notification will be sent when all documents and application deadlines are finalized. Thank you for your interest in the Ohio State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program.
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 (FFY) 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 Policy, Application, Checklist and Reporting Forms:
For more information on the Appalachian Regional Commission, U.S. Department of State or U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, please visit the following links:
For More Information:
Ohio Department of Health
J-1 Visa Waiver Program
Primary Care and Rural Health Programs
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: (614) 466-1629
Fax: (614) 995-4235
E-mail: bchssd@odh.ohio.gov
Last Updated: 10/01/2008 |
