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Interested U.S. Government Agencies Q. What is required for a waiver based on an Interested U.S. Government agency (IGA) application?
A letter from a U.S. Federal Government agency, signed by the head of that agency or a designated official, explaining why granting such a waiver is in the public interest of the U.S. and why it would be detrimental to the agency if the exchange visitor returns home to fulfill the two-year requirement. The IGA request letter is sent directly by the agency to the Waiver Review Division. The applicant also needs to apply and submit a completed Online Form DS-3035 with the required fee. Q. Which U.S. Government agencies may apply for waivers on behalf of exchange visitors? Who are the contact persons at these Interested Government Agencies?
A. Please refer to the list of designated points of contact for IGA’s. Q. If I am an exchange visitor physician and I plan to provide medical service in an underserved area in the U.S. on behalf of an interested US Government Agency, what must be presented to obtain a waiver based on an interested U.S. Government agency application for a physician? This is different waiver basis than the Conrad program, which allows individual states to nominate up to 30 foreign medical graduate J-1 physicians for a waiver. A. The applicant is responsible for the following:
• Completing DS-3035 Online Form, available on the J-1 Visa Waiver website
• Paying the processing fee - cashier's check or money order for $215
The Interested U.S. Government Agency is responsible for gathering and sending directly to the Waiver Review Division the following documents in the application package:
• Copies of all DS-2019 /IAP-66 forms issued to the EV
• Curriculum vitae
• Physician statement-A statement signed by the physician that should read as follows: "I,__________(name of exchange visitor) hereby declare and certify, under penalty of the
provisions of 18USC.1101, that: (1) I have sought or obtained the cooperation of_______(enter name of U.S. Government agency which will submit/is submitting an IGA request on behalf of the exchange visitor to obtain a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement); and (2) I do not now have pending nor will I submit another request to any U.S. Government department or agency or its equivalent, to act on my behalf in any matter relating to a waiver of my two-year home residence requirement." Statement must be signed and dated.
• Form G-28 or letter from a law office if an attorney represents the applicant.
• Two self-addressed, stamped, legal-size envelopes.
• Letter of request from head of the agency, or designated official stating why it is in the public interest that the exchange visitor be granted a waiver of section 212(e) of the INA
• Signed contract for no less than three years and 40 hours a week between physician and facility.
• Evidence that the clinic/facility is located in a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA).
• Facility statement - A statement signed by the head of the facility at which the foreign medical graduate will be employed stating the facility is located in a designated HPSA or MUA area and provides medical care to both Medicaid and Medicare eligible patients, and indigent uninsured patients. The statement should also include the Federal Information Processing Standards county code and census tract or block numbering area number (assigned by the Bureau of Census) or the 9-digit zip code of the area where the facility is located.
• Evidence that unsuccessful efforts were made to recruit an American physician for the position (medical journal advertisements; labor certification or language in cover letter stating efforts to recruit an American physician have been unsuccessful).
Regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs requests on behalf of J-1 physicians to serve in VA hospitals:
1. VA hospitals do not have to be in an underserved area
2. VA applications must include a signed memorandum of agreement between physician and a hospital in lieu of three-year contract.
Q. Which U.S. Government agencies may apply for the waiver on behalf of foreign medical graduates to practice medicine? A. Appalachian and Delta Regional Commissions, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Interior for Indian Reservations. J-1 foreign medical graduates may also apply through an individual State's department of health Conrad program.
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