Physician Visa Waiver Program

Foreign Physicians Helping Underserved Areas

The Primary Care Office (PCO) helps coordinate the placement of foreign physicians in underserved areas of the state through the Physician Visa Waiver Program. This program is also known as the "Conrad Program" or the "J-1 Visa Waiver Program."

Right now, many Oregonians do not have access to a primary care doctor in their community. This is mainly true for rural areas of the state, but also applies to some urban and suburban communities. The Physician Visa Waiver Program helps address this issue by allowing international medical graduates to remain in the United States if they work in a federally designated shortage area. An M.D. or D.O. who has completed or is scheduled to complete a residency or fellowship in a U.S. medical school through the Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Program is eligible to apply.

The program allows Oregon to sponsor 30 waiver applications per federal fiscal year, October 1 - September 30. An application fee of $2,000 helps fund the program.

Program Year 2025 started on October 1, 2024

Reserve your slot via an employment application or a letter of intent. Primary care and specialist (including FLEX) applications that meet federal and state regulations will all be accepted on a first-come basis. Twenty slots have been filled as of October 10.

NOTE: U.S. Department of State requires electronic applications

Please submit two sets of electronic documents to our office:

• USDOS set: Include only those items on this Waiver review procedure and document list.
  
• J-1 office copy: The second set will contain the documents referenced above, plus other support listed on the J-1 Application form.
  

Please examine and use the updated program forms below

Please visit the Department of State and obtain your tracking number in advance. The employer and the J1 physician need to work together to complete the application. The Administrative Rules (OAR 409-035) explain the program requirements and steps necessary to complete the application process. Below are the forms you will need:

• Application Form
• Employment Status Form
  
• J-1 Visa Physician Demographic Profile
  
• Waiver review procedure and document list
  

J-1 Visa Program Summary

Please read the most recent J-1 Program Visa Summary for important updates and information

• 2023 J-1 Visa Program Report
  
• 2022 J-1 Visa Program Report
  

Contact Us

Please contact Dia Shuhart with any J-1 Visa Program questions