J-1 Waiver Information

  2009-2010 application window is closed!

 !!!*IMPORTANT NOTICE*!!!

The Federal Government mandates that all J-1 Visa Waiver applicants must apply for a case number from the U.S. Department of State. This federal regulation requires completing and submitting a  Waiver Recommendation Application (Download). Or you may complete an online application HERE. For information about the USDS Waiver guidelines or attaining the required federal case number, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html.
YOU MUST HAVE A CASE NUMBER ISSUED FROM THE US DEPT. of STATE BEFORE YOU APPLY TO MICHIGAN'S CONRAD STATE 30 PROGRAM. 

       Michigan's Conrad State 30 acceptance criteria

Interested Government Agency

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) serves as the Interested Government Agency for the Michigan Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program. Working collaboratively with MDCH, the Michigan Health Council (MHC) / Medical Opportunities in Michigan (MOM) is responsible for coordinating all initial screening of the applications.  MHC is a non-profit organization; all charges for these services are used to cover the cost of this program.

J-1 VISA WAIVER FY 2009-2010 "STATE 30" PROGRAM PREFERENCE CRITERIA

The Michigan Department of Community Health can sponsor 30 waiver candidates per year. J-1 Visa Waiver candidates are prioritized based on the preference criteria described below. The Michigan Department of Community Health reserves the right to modify the J-1 Visa Waiver preference criteria in response to Michigan’s changing health care provider needs. MDCH will make every attempt to post current and accurate preference criteria on this website before each application period.

Criteria 1:  Primary Care Providers and Psychiatrists: Preference is given to primary care physicians (Internal Medicine Generalist, Pediatric Generalist, Family Practitioner, OB/GYN, and General Practitioner) and psychiatrists. These providers will be ranked by HPSA/MUA/P or Non-Designated status, and if Michigan does not receive at least 30 requests for primary care physician or psychiatrist placement, consideration will be given to specialist physician placements. There is a 10 slot limitation on Non-Designated requests, and if more applications are received than slots are available then the applicants will be prioritized based on the additional criteria. Among specialist physicians, there will be no restrictions regarding type of specialist allowed, with the exception of those specialties involved in care that is not medically essential (such as cosmetic surgery). Rural specialists will be given preference over urban specialists. 

Criteria 2:  Health Professional Shortage Areas: The intent of the J-1 Visa Waiver Program is to place physicians into designated shortage areas, and serve underserved communities.  

•           Within each category of application, primary care and specialty care, the providers will be ranked by designation status: HPSA, MUA/P, or Non-Designated. In the event that more than 30 primary care providers apply in a given year, placements will occur first by HPSA, then MUA/P, and finally Non-Designated (up to the limit of 10). If all primary care applications are selected, and more slots remain open, specialists will be ranked using the same method.

•         All placements outside of designated shortage areas must be made in facilities that can document that a portion of their annual patient caseload resides in a neighboring HPSA and/or MUA/P. This documentation must be included with the application.

Criteria 3:  Priority Practice Sites: Preference is given to physicians who will be employed at any of the following types of practice sites:

• Local Health Departments
• State funded Institutions
  • State-funded Primary Care Clinics
  • State Correctional Facilities
  • Community Mental Health (CMH) Agencies
  • Forensic Medicine Centers
  • State Psychiatric Hospitals
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alikes
• Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) and CAH Administered Clinics
• Certified Rural Health Clinics Designated as Facility HPSAs.

Criteria 4: Urban/Rural Mix: Michigan will seek to select 16 urban and 14 rural waiver placements each year.

Criteria 5: HPSA Score: For candidates with equal preference, based on the criteria above, additional ranking will be based on the HPSA score (for those candidates working in a HPSA), with preference for higher scoring HPSAs. Candidates will also receive a randomly assigned lottery number at intake in the event that there is a “tie” between two applicants.

These criteria will be applied in the order described above. That is, if there are 30 or more Primary Care Providers applying, specialists will not be given preference. Likewise, for those candidates that are given preference for Criteria 1, providers in Critical Access Hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, or Rural Health Clinics will be given further preference. If there are more than 30 candidates that meet criteria 1 and 25 are from Urban Areas while only 11 are from Rural Areas, an attempt will be made to keep the Rural/Urban mix close. 

If you are seeking employment, try contacting
some of the facilities in the lists below:
* Please note: These facilities may not be currently hiring.
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