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- Foreign Medical Graduates Waiver Program Extended to September 30
An extension to the Conrad 30 waiver program was included in the recently enacted Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. As a result, the program is extended through September 30, 2024. The CAP will lobby for a longer extension of the program and add more waivers during the Pathologists Leadership Summit April 13-16. The program allows J-1 foreign medical graduates to apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement upon completion of the J-1 exchange visitor program. The exchange visitor program, or J-1 visa, is a nonimmigrant visa that allows eligible international candidates to travel and gain experience in the United States by participating in work- and study-based programs. Each state can sponsor up to 30 physicians each year and has developed its own application rules and guidelines. The program addresses the shortage of qualified doctors in medically underserved areas across the country. The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act represents legislation aimed at reauthorizing the Conrad 30 waiver program for three years. Importantly, the bill would increase the number of waivers granted to each state from 30 to 35. It also enhances transparency in employment contract terms and provides for greater immigration flexibilities for families of participating physicians.
An extension to the Conrad 30 waiver program was included in the recently enacted Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. As a result, the program is extended through September 30, 2024. The CAP will lobby for a longer extension of the program and add more waivers during the Pathologists Leadership Summit April 13-16.
The program allows J-1 foreign medical graduates to apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement upon completion of the J-1 exchange visitor program. The exchange visitor program, or J-1 visa, is a nonimmigrant visa that allows eligible international candidates to travel and gain experience in the United States by participating in work- and study-based programs. Each state can sponsor up to 30 physicians each year and has developed its own application rules and guidelines. The program addresses the shortage of qualified doctors in medically underserved areas across the country.
The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act represents legislation aimed at reauthorizing the Conrad 30 waiver program for three years. Importantly, the bill would increase the number of waivers granted to each state from 30 to 35. It also enhances transparency in employment contract terms and provides for greater immigration flexibilities for families of participating physicians.