Office of Health Professionals Regulation

Rhode Island J-1 Visa Waiver Program

The Rhode Island J-1 visa waiver program increases access to primary health and mental health care in rural and urban communities that have shortages of primary care physicians and psychiatrists, by helping medical clinics recruit foreign physicians. Qualified foreign physicians must have completed their advanced clinical training in an approved U.S. residency training program, must agree to work in the shortage area for three years, and must increase access to primary health care.

Rhode Island has identified the needs of the community and has set the following priorities for the 2006 - 2007 waiver cycle.

Priorities

1. Spanish speaking English proficient physicians in primary care including Obstetrics and psychiatry. Preference will be given to those employed by community health centers, community mental health centers, state agencies, and academic medical centers .
2. Physicians in primary care, including those practicing obstetrics and psychiatry. Preference will be given to those employed by community health centers, community mental health centers, state agencies, and academic medical centers .
3. Anesthesiologists - Preference will be given to applicants who have experience focused on caring for under-served populations such as the uninsured, racial and ethnic minorities, and geriatric patients.
4. Radiolologists
5. Physicians recruited for teaching and clinical roles through academic medical centers . Preference to applicants who have experience focused on caring for under-served populations such as the uninsured, racial and ethnic minorities and geriatric patients.

Between 1995 and 2006 , the Rhode Island J-1 visa waiver program has helped medical clinics recruit over 100 foreign physicians to increase access to primary care and general mental health care in medically under-served areas throughout the state. This program is coordinated with the U.S. Department of State and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The RI Department of Health approves an application based upon the materials submitted. Applicants and their employers are required to inform the department in writing regarding any significant change in employment status or position description; or contract changes, amendments, revisions or replacements.

Applications for community-based placements must also include a five year site review of prior J-1 placements (i.e. five year review of prior J-1 placement(s) at the site and current employment of the physician(s). If a physician is no longer at the site, a brief explanation must be included.)

The RI Department of Health will not approve waiver applications that include employment contracts with "non-compete" clauses.

Additionally, waiver physicians may be required to submit copies of their W-2 forms to the department yearly for the first three years of employment.

Waiver physicians must also notify the RI Department of Health of any intention to pursue alternate employment or reassignment to another state during the three year waiver period.