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Visa Delays Threaten Medical Workforce in Underserved U.S. Areas

KVIA•Friday, May 1, 2026 at 6:56 PM•CNN Newsource

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Foreign doctors nearing the end of their training in the U.S. face potential deportation due to significant delays in the processing of J-1 visa waiver applications. These waivers allow non-citizen physicians to stay in the country while transitioning to temporary work status, provided they serve in underserved areas for at least three years. Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is experiencing a backlog of hundreds of applications, which must be reviewed by the State Department and approved by USCIS before a critical deadline of July 30. If delays continue, many doctors may have to return to their home countries, exacerbating the shortage of medical professionals in rural and low-income urban areas. The HHS has acknowledged the delays but has not provided specific numbers or reasons for the backlog.

Key Details: • Deadline for visa application processing is July 30. • HHS has a backlog of hundreds of J-1 waiver applications. • Doctors may need to return home if their applications are not processed in time. • Employers may incur a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa reapplication if doctors leave. • The HHS is implementing improvements to avoid future delays.

healthcare immigration visa medical-workforce underserved-areas

People & Organizations

Department of Health and Human ServicesAmerican Medical AssociationU.S. Citizenship and Immigration ServicesEmily HilliardCharles WintersteenJennifer Minear

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