Conrad 30 Waiver Program for J-1 Visa Holders
The Conrad 30 Waiver Program is for J-1 medical doctors who were trained outside of the United States. The purpose of the program is to waive the two-year residency requirement at the end of the J-1 exchange visitor program.
Requirements for a Conrad 30 Waiver
Each state has its own application guidelines and rules. However, all J-1 medical doctors must still do the following:
- Agree to work full-time in H-1B nonimmigrant status.
- Get a contract from a health care facility that meets location requirements decided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- To meet location requirements, the health care facility must be in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Medically Underserved Area (MUA), or a Medically Underserved Population (MUP).
- Agree to begin working at the health care facility within 90 days of being approved for a Conrad 30 waiver, not when the J-1 visa expires.
- If your home country government paid for the exchange program, you have to get a “no objection” letter from that government.
How to apply for a Conrad 30 Waiver
To apply, the following steps must be taken:
- You have to get a state health department to sponsor you.
- The state health department has to complete Form DS-3035, J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application.
- The DOS Waiver Review Division has to decide if you are approved for a recommendation.
- If the waiver is approved, you have to turn in Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, along with the recommendation letter from the DOS Waiver Review Division.
If the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker is approved, your visa will be changed to H-1B nonimmigrant status.
How to get H-4 visas for your family
If you want to bring your family with you, they will have to apply for H-4 status. To do this, your family has to turn in Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Contact Us
There are many steps to complete in order to get a Conrad 30 waiver and change to H-1B nonimmigrant status. We can help you fill out the forms correctly and answer any questions you might have.
Call us today at 813-298-7222, email us, fill our contact form, or schedule an appointment.