Conrad Visa Waivers are a part of a federal program that allow hospitals and healthcare institutions to recruit and hire highly skilled physicians from U.S. residency and fellowship programs. The waiver allows the foreign born physician to waive the home residency requirement that comes with the J-1 visa. Federal Requirements for Conrad Waivers While states will… [Read More]
HR Pulse Magazine Features Attorney Michael Murray
FordMurray founding partner Michael Murray is featured in the Fall 2018 edition of HR Pulse – the quarterly newsletter from the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASSHRA). In his article “Hiring Foreign Workers and HR Compliance During the Trump Administration,” Michael discusses challenges and solutions for Human Resource professionals who hope to hire… [Read More]
J-1 Visa Waivers: FAQs for Healthcare Employers
FordMurray works with healthcare organizations across the country who are involved in the J-1 visa process for physicians because it’s a win-win program. Healthcare organizations get excellent staff through this program, and foreign physicians are grateful to be able to continue their career in the United States without interruption. However, it’s known as a complicated… [Read More]
Not Just Dreamers – Here Are Three Real Immigration Problems Congress Should Address (And How to Fix Them)
House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday announced two votes on immigration legislation in the United States House of Representatives, derailing efforts by bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives to secure the signatures necessary to vote on competing immigration reform bills using a discharge petition. The upcoming votes on two separate immigration bills – one proposed by… [Read More]
Physician Groups Worry H-1B Scrutiny to Impact Patient Care
National physician groups are worried that increased scrutiny on H-1B visa applications will impact patient care at teaching hospitals throughout the United States, according to a letter sent to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Francis Cissna. Prevailing Wage RFEs Due to Lack of Data The letter expresses concern that non-U.S. international medical graduates (IMGs)… [Read More]
5 US Business Visas for Foreign-Born Physicians
The United States is predicted to have a significant shortage of qualified physicians in the next several decades. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, and with medical advances keeping seniors alive longer and longer, they are needing more and more medical care. In addition, the doctors from this generation are retiring at a… [Read More]
2017 Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Primer
How long does the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver application process take? The Conrad waiver application will take several weeks to several months to process at the state level. If approval is recommended, the application is forwarded to the U.S. State Department’s J-1 Waiver Review Division (WRD) in Washington, DC. The WRD will take 8… [Read More]
Understanding the 2-Year Home Residency Requirement for J-1 Visa Holders
The United States provides an amazing opportunity for people outside of the country to come here to further their education. Immigrants are allowed to do this under what is called a J-1 visa. In order for them to complete their education and possibly live and work in the US permanently, they must follow certain guidelines… [Read More]
A Brief Introduction to the National Interest Waiver for Physicians
A job offer is often a compelling reason for immigrants to come to the United States. However, what if you know your talent and skill are so advanced and needed that you must work in the U.S. even if you don’t have a firm offer? While it might sound arbitrary, this is often the case… [Read More]
Immigration for Medical Professionals: ECFMG Certification
If you are an international medical professional who is interested in completing your residency in the United States, you have likely wondered what steps to take in order to make your career goal a reality. One possible solution is to become ECFMG certified. The ECFMG, or Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, is a non-profit… [Read More]