| Abstract: | This rule amends the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Service) regulations by allowing certain foreign medical graduates who entered the United States in J-1 status, or who acquired J-1 status after arrival in the United States, to obtain a waiver of the 2-year home country residence and physical presence requirement under section 212(e)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) pursuant to a request by a State Department of Public Health, or its equivalent. The waiver is intended to permit these foreign medical graduates to work at a health care facility in an area designated by the Secretary, Health and Human Services (HHS), as having a shortage of health care professionals ("HHS-designated shortage area"). This interim rule also contains provisions which will permit these foreign medical graduates to change their nonimmigrant status in the United States from J-1 exchange visitor to H-1B specialty occupation worker. |
