State 20 J-1 Visa Waivers

     U.S. Public Law 103-416 authorizes each state to request waivers of the two-year home residence requirement on behalf of twenty J-1 visa physicians each fiscal year in order for them to work in medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas within the state. Providing information and processing the applications for State J-1 physician waivers is the responsibility of the Local Liaison Office (LLO).

     The U.S. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 extended the authority of the state to request waivers on behalf of J-1 visa physicians who entered the country prior to June 1, 2002.

     Applications for waivers of the two-year home residence requirement must come from each state's designated State Department of Public Health and be signed by the head of that office or his or her designee.

     The United States Information Agency (USIA) has the responsibility for reviewing these applications and making recommendations to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), where the final determination is made.