How to Waive your J-1 Visa Home Residence Requirement
Federal law allows graduates of foreign medical schools to obtain a J-1 Visa to attend a medical residency or fellowship training program in the United States. Usually, after their training has been completed, the physician must then return to his or her home country for at least two years before applying for immigrant status to the U.S.
The Conrad 30 program affords the foreign physician the privilege of having the J-1 Visa home residence requirement waived in exchange for providing primary care in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Federal immigration law permits each state health department to request waivers of the two-year home residence requirement on behalf of up to thirty (30) J-1 Visa physicians annually.
Scholarships
The NHSC provides scholarships to students pursuing a degree in an eligible primary care discipline. The scholarship pays tuition, fees, other educational costs, and provides a living stipend in return for a commitment to work at least 2 years at an NHSC-approved site in a medically underserved community upon graduation. Click here to apply.
Loan Repayment
NHSC also offers tax-free loan repayment assistance to support qualified health care providers who choose to take their skills where they’re most needed. Licensed health care providers may earn up to $50,000 toward student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment at an NHSC-approved site.
Medical (MD or DO) and dental (DDS or DMD) students may earn up to $120,000 in their final year of school through the “Students to Service Loan Repayment Program”. Students must commit to serving at least three years at an approved NHSC site in a Health Professional Shortage Area of greatest need. Click here to apply.
For more information on the New Jersey J-1 Visa Waiver / Conrad 30 Program or to apply, click the buttons below:
Application, Forms, and Enclosures
Administered by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program is designed to encourage primary care physicians, dentists, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners and certified physician assistants to practice in State designated underserved areas or federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.
For more information on how New Jersey determines which areas are medically underserved, read the New Jersey Medically Underserved Index.