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International Physician ​
​Recruitment and Retention Programs

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Comparison Table of State J-1 Visa Waiver Program, HHS J-1 Visa Waiver Program, and Physician National Interest Waiver Program

Conrad 30 (J-1 Visa) Waiver Program 

Who Qualifies: 
Physicians who provide primary health care, mental health care, and specialty care who meet certain requirements.

​What you get: 
Recipients of a waiver agree to a full-time, 3-year service obligation in an underserved area of the state, as designated by the federal government. The program allows for 30 waiver spots per Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 – September 30), 10 of which are considered flex spots for physicians who agree to work in non-designated areas, yet still serve residents in underserved areas. 
When to apply:
J-1 visa waiver requests are accepted annually in the fall. Refer to the J-1 Visa Waiver Program Guidance for more details about submitting a request.
How to apply: 
Application guidance can be found on the Iowa Department of Public Health Rural Health and Primary Care web page. ​

Jan Pederson, an immigration attorney with extensive background and experience in the J-1 Visa Waiver process, provides an overview of the types of J-1 waivers available and the process of obtaining a waiver.

Physician National Interest Waiver Program

Who Qualifies: 
Primary Care Physicians (such as a general practitioner, family practice practitioner, general
internist, pediatrician, obstetrician/gynecologist, or psychiatrist) or a specialty physician.
What you get: 
Recipients of a waiver agree to work full-time in a clinical practice for an aggregate of 5 years either in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Mental Health Professional Area
(MHPSA – for psychiatrists only), a Medically Underserved Population (MUP), or a Medically
Underserved Area (MUA) for the entire service obligation period.
When to apply:
Physician National Interest Waiver request packets are accepted anytime.
How to apply: 
Application guidance can be found on the Iowa Department of Public Health Rural Health and Primary Care web page.​

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The Rural Health Workforce Connection (RHWC) is supported by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The RHWC website provides links to other websites only for the convenience of its users. RHWC is not responsible for the availability or content of these external sites, nor does RHWC endorse, warrant, or guarantee the products, services, or information described or offered at these other websites.

  • Community Leaders
    • Industry Employment
    • Iowa College Student Retention Survey
    • Laborshed Studies
    • University Of Iowa Office of State Clinical Ed Programs
  • Educators
    • Iowa College Student Retention
    • Iowa Health Science Work-Based Learning Toolkit
    • RuralGME Technical Assistance Center Portal
  • Employers
    • 3RNet - Post a Job
    • Community Partnerships
    • Industry Employment
    • Iowa Health Science Work-Based Learning Toolkit
    • Occupational Projections
    • Recruitment and Retention
    • Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Programs
  • Healthcare Professionals
    • 3RNET - Find a Job
    • Iowa’s Career Coach
    • Education & Training
    • Iowa Select Health Occupations Licenses
    • Iowa’s Healthcare System & Workforce Capacity
    • Loan Repayment & Scholarships
    • Iowa Practice Opportunities Directories
    • Occupational Projections
    • The Rural Vibe
    • Wage Data
    • Work-Life Balance
  • Students
    • 3RNET - Find a Job
    • Iowa’s Career Coach
    • International Student Training Opportunities
    • Loan Repayment & Scholaships
    • Opportunities in Health Sciences
    • Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Programs
    • The Rural Vibe
    • Summer Health Professions Education Program
  • Explore Careers
    • Health Sciences Learning Module
    • All Things Nursing
    • Direct Care Workers
  • Find a Job
  • Post a Job