FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center): Immigration options when Conrad 30 is full

There are many reasons why an organization should apply for and maintain their FQHC designation. Some of the benefits of maintaining this status can provide favorable means for sponsoring the immigration status of potential employees. In this regard, the following outlines specifically how an FQHC can sponsor a physician seeking a J-1 waiver slot.

First, this method is usually the avenue we pursue when the Conrad 30 slots in a particular location are already filled. Because an FQHC falls under a federal rule, than rather than using the state-specific Conrad program, we turn to look at the US Dept of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider whether a waiver application is a good strategy for recruitment and hiring.

By definition, all health centers must be located in or serve a high-need community, specifically a federally designated, medically underserved area or population (MUA/MUP). Medical underservice is defined by a shortage of health professionals or services in a geographic area or among a population, as well as high rates of poverty and infant mortality.

Practice Area:

HHS will process an application for waiver for a physician to practice in a primary care specialty (family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology) or general psychiatry.

Facility HPSA Score:

In order to target communities and populations with the greatest need for primary care and mental health services, HHS will only process an application for waiver from a facility in or with a health professional shortage area (HPSA) score of 07 or higher.

Timing from Residency:

Federal regulations require that a viable HHS waiver must be submitted with 12 months of the completion of the J-1 Applicant’s Residency. While this approach can serve as a strategy for competitive states and those who need to consider last minute application changes, there are unique aspects of this kind of waiver application.

All things considered, there are pros and cons to an HHS waiver strategy and once that we should discuss on a case by case basis to make sure all considerations are understood before starting down a particular path to waiver.