Kentucky J-1 Visa Waiver Programs

The J1 Visa Waiver programs in the Health Care Access Branch assists the public and private health sectors in qualifying to employ an International Medical Graduate who may obtain a waiver of their two (2) year home residency requirement by serving in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or a Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/MUP) for a period of three (3) years.

In Kentucky, there are three (3) different J1 programs available:
The “State 30” Program
This program is managed by the Health Care Access Branch.  The program may recommend waivers for up to 30 International Medical Graduates per federal fiscal year (October 1 - September 30) to the U.S. State Department.

Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) J-1 Visa Waiver Program This program is managed by the Health Care Access Branch and it enables medical providers in the fifty-one (51) Appalachian counties in Kentucky to further access International Medical Graduates through the J1 Visa Waiver program. 
 
The Delta Regional Authority
This progam is a direct federal run program serving 8 states that include 21 western Kentucky counties.  It is one of the few federal government agencies allowed to recommend Visa Waivers to the U.S. State Department.  While not managed by the Health Care Access Branch, the J1 Visa Waiver Manager provides technical assistance and referrals to this sister program.

All J-1 Visa Waiver Applications (State 30, ARC, Delta etc.) must first have a case number assigned by the U.S. Department of State. To obtain a State Department Case Number, you must complete a State Department J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application and mail it with the appropriate fee to the U.S. State Department.  Click on the following link to obtain information about the J-1 process from the U.S. State Department.

 

Many rural and underserved areas qualify to employ an International Medical Graduate who may obtain a waiver of their 2-year home residency requirement and practice in an underserved area. Many of the Kentucky's areas meet their health care needs by utilizing this program. 

To obtain copies of Kentucky's State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Guidelines and application materials, call 502-564-8966, ext. 3740 or click on the following documents:
State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Guidelines

J1 Visa Physician Information Sheet

J1 Sponsor Information Sheet

Six Month Reporting Form

KY J-1 Visa Waiver Program Placement Verification Form

Letter of good standing

The Kentucky Health Care Access Branch works with the Appalachian Regional Commission's J-1 Visa Waiver Program to enable medical providers in the 51 Appalachian counties in Kentucky to recruit and employ International Medical Graduates who may obtain a waiver of their two-year home residency requirements and practice in a health shortage area. For further information on the ARCs J-1 Visa Waiver Program, you may obtain program information at the ARC's web site:

http://www.arc.gov

The Delta Regional Authority has numerous programs and covers (21) Kentucky counties that include Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg, Union, and Webster.  To be eligible for the J1 program, the county must still meet health professional shortage area designation requirements.

For more information, review the Delta Regional Authority.

It is expected that recipients of State 30 J-1 Visa Waivers will complete their minimum 3 year obligation to provide medical care in the Health Profession Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA) for which they were initially approved. However, in unusual and rare circumstances, it may be necessary for a physician to change employers or practice locations. In these instances, please follow the following Transfer Guidelines.

Physicians whose J-1 visa waiver was sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) who desire to transfer to a different location or employer should contact the Health Care Access Branch J-1 Program Manager for information of ARC guidelines regarding transfer of J-1 physicians.

A physician who has provided services to Kentucky through the J-1 program may seek a “Green Card” to remain in the United States to continue to serve in a Kentucky Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).  In these circumstances, a National Interest Waiver may be required.  To obtain a national interest waiver, the physician will require a letter from the Kentucky Department for Public Health as the agency having jurisdiction.  To obtain a letter in support of obtaining a National Interest Waiver, click on the following document for Kentucky’s requirements:
National Interest Waiver Guidelines

Kentucky’s medical schools offer assistance to local communities, hospitals and health care organizations in recruiting physicians.  All Appalachian Regional Commission and Kentucky State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Applications must provide evidence of having attempted to recruit a physician through national, regional and local sources including having contacted representatives of all medical schools in Kentucky.   Both of Kentucky's state-funded medical schools operate medical placement programs.  Both physicians seeking employment opportunities in Kentucky and potential employers may obtain information about these medical placement programs by clicking on the following links:

University of Kentucky Medical Professions Placement Service: www.mc.uky.edu/mpps/

University of Louisville Placement Service: http://www.louisville.edu/medschool/phyplacement/