What Is the Conrad State 30 J-1 Physician Waiver?

DOS states that this waiver basis applies to foreign medical doctors who received J-1 status to pursue graduate medical education or training. It is not a general waiver route for researchers, students, teachers, or other J-1 categories.

The physician must remain subject to §212(e) and must satisfy both the federal Conrad requirements and the requirements of the state program that agrees to sponsor the request.

The physician applies to a designated state public health department or its equivalent. If the state agrees to sponsor the case, the state submits the waiver request to the DOS Waiver Review Division.

State sponsorship is not automatic. Each state can establish its own application priorities, deadlines, document requirements, specialty preferences, and other program rules within the federal framework.

The program is called Conrad State 30 because each participating state may request up to 30 physician waivers per federal fiscal year.

DOS also recognizes the Flex 10 component. Up to 10 of the 30 requests may involve physicians practicing at facilities that are not physically located in a designated shortage area when the facility serves patients who reside in designated areas.

Current DOS eligibility guidance requires an offer of full-time employment at a qualifying health care facility. The physician must agree to begin employment within 90 days after receiving the waiver.

The federal framework also requires a contract for at least three years of service at 40 hours per week. State programs may impose additional contractual and practice requirements.

DOS states that if the physician received home-country government funding to participate in the exchange program, the home government must submit a No Objection Statement for the Conrad application.

The No Objection Statement must specifically identify the Conrad State 30 request. This requirement is in addition to the state health department's waiver request.

DOS makes the waiver recommendation and USCIS makes the final waiver decision. The physician then normally moves into the employment classification needed to perform the required service.

Obtaining the waiver does not erase the three-year service obligation. Failure to complete the required service can have serious consequences unless a legally recognized exception, such as qualifying extenuating circumstances, applies.