Maine's J-1 Visa Waiver Program

Many hospitals and clinics throughout the state's most rural areas depend upon the J-1 Visa Waiver program to improve access to health care for residents of underserved areas. The J-1 Visa Waiver Program recruits and retains International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and permits interested government agencies to request that the United States Department of State recommend that the Immigration and Naturalization Service waive the foreign residency requirement. In exchange, IMGs must agree to complete their medical training in the United States and practice primary care for at least three years in a federally designated health professional shortage area or a medically underserved area. Without the program, severe shortages of primary care and specialty care physicians would be even greater.

• J-1 Application Guide
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services
• US State Department

For more information contact:

Nicole Breton, Director
(207) 287-5524