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J-1 Visa Waiver Program
Improving access to primary health care, and needed specialty care, in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) is an important goal of the Illinois Department of Public Health. The purpose of the Department’s J-1 Visa Waiver Program is to increase access by sponsoring J-1 Physicians who agree to serve at medical facilities in HPSAs or MUAs. Illinois’ participation in the waiver program enables the Department to act on behalf of the State and request waivers for eligible J-1 Physicians. The Department may act as an interested state agency to request up to thirty (30) J-1 visa waivers per federal fiscal year.
Eligible Physicians
The program accepts applications from all medical specialties. Physicians who apply for a waiver shall:
- For primary care physicians who have entered into an employment contract with a medical facility located in a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). If the Illinois Department of Public Health, J-1 Visa Waiver Application September 2024 Version Page 3 physician will work at more than one medical facility, each facility must be located in a Primary Care HPSA.
- For psychiatrists who have entered into an employment contract with a medical facility located in a Mental Health HPSA. If the psychiatrist will work at more than one medical facility, each facility must be located in a Mental Health HPSA.
- For specialists who have entered into an employment contract with a medical facility located in a Primary Care HPSA. If the specialist will work at more than one medical facility, each facility must be located in a Primary Care HPSA.
- For specialists who apply for the J-1 visa waiver flex option, have entered into an employment contract with a medical facility that is not in a Primary Care HPSA.
- Be board eligible or board certified in his/her medical specialty.
- Have completed a residency in his/her medical specialty.
Medical Facilities
- Meet the definition of medical facility (see 77 Ill. Adm. Code 591.20).
- For primary care physicians, be located in a Primary Care HPSA.
- For psychiatrists, be located in a Mental Health HPSA.
- For specialists, be located in a Primary Care HPSA.
- For specialists who apply for the J-1 visa waiver flex option, not be located in a HPSA.
- Not be in violation of the additional work location requirements (see 77 Ill. Adm. Code 591.162).
Processing Fee
A processing fee of $3,000 shall accompany each application submitted to IDPH. Payment shall be by check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health. If the payment does not accompany the application, it will be deemed incomplete. If application is submitted electronically, the application will be held until payment is received. IDPH will take no action on the application until the fee has been received. If the payment is not valid due to insufficient funds or other reasons, the application will be null and void. Fee payments are not refundable.
Submission Time Frames
Applications are accepted between October 1 and October 31 of each year via paper copy or electronic submission via email to DPH.J1Waiver@illinois.gov. If all waiver recommendations are not made from the applications received in October, applications will be accepted between January 1 and January 31 and between April 1 and April 30, if necessary. Applications will not be accepted after the submission deadlines.
Submission means an application has been received by IDPH by the submission deadline. It does not mean an application is postmarked by the submission deadline but arrives at IDPH on a later date.
