I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
See all posts Frank GogolTop 10 J1 Physician Hospitals to Work For in 2023
Updated on August 15, 2024
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The United States is still the home of the most cutting-edge and innovative healthcare in the world, and physicians all over the world seek to immigrate to the U.S. as a result. The main challenge that these physicians face is finding a sponsor and obtaining a J-1 visa.
A shortage of doctors plagues many rural and urban communities across America. Each year, nearly 1,000 international physicians enter the country on J-1 visas to work in underserved areas and help alleviate this shortage. The hospitals sponsoring these doctors have their own policies and practices for managing the program.
J-1 visa waiver
The J-1 visa mandates that most participating physicians return to their home country for two years after completing their training before applying for another U.S. visa. Waivers for this requirement exist in certain cases:
- Physicians training or working in federally designated shortage areas of Mississippi, Alabama, or Appalachia. After 3 years service, they may apply for an extension of their J-1 visa rather than returning home.
- Physicians conducting research aligned with priority interests at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These receive direct visa waivers.
- Physicians can also obtain waivers through the Conrad 30 program after their J-1 expires. This program specifically recruits doctors to medically underserved regions.
More details on eligibility for waivers and the required return to home countries can be found at [website].
Conrad 30 waiver
The Conrad 30 waiver application involves:
- Sponsorship by a state health department
- Filing forms J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application and DS-3035
- The health department submits the application to the Department of State for review
To qualify for this waiver program, physicians must:
- Work full-time on an H-1B visa at a certified shortage facility
- Be under contract at a healthcare facility serving a medically underserved area/population
- Obtain a “No Objection” letter from their home country embassy, if applicable
- Be able to start work within 3 months of receiving the 2-year waiver
Top 10 J1 Physician Hospitals
Each hospital has its own policies and programs in place for J-1 visa sponsorship. See the following section for a breakdown of the J-1 policies of some of the top hospitals in the U.S.
1. Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic of Medicine is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in the country by U.S. News and World Report and is nationally ranked in 15 adult specialties and 7 pediatric specialties. The Mayo Clinic has 57 research centers across the country and 19 hospitals.
Mayo’s residencies and fellowships are open to non-U.S. citizens. Mayo Clinic considers sponsoring J-1 visa applicants who are certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for residencies.
2. Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic, based in Cleveland, Ohio, was ranked as one of the top hospitals in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report 2018-2019. Furthermore, the Cleveland Clinic’s urology and heart programs have ranked #1 in the country for decades.
To sponsor a J-1 visa, Cleveland Clinic requires that the applicant has a graduate medical education, two years of residency in their home country, and sponsorship from the ECFMG. Physicians who are sponsored must remain within the designated program that they were sponsored for, and cannot practice in any other capacity. The most prominent program that J-1 visa apply for is the the Ohio State 30 program.
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital is among the nationally top-ranking schools in 15 different adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties. Known specifically for pediatric care, Johns Hopkins ranks No. 8 in the country on the U.S. World News and Report’s Best Children’s Hospital Honor Roll.
Johns Hopkins hospital offers a J-1 sponsorship program for applicants who receive a full-time academic appointment at the hospital. This sponsorship involves a minimum of $2,000 in funding per month, though applicants must be proficient in English to be eligible. Designated J-1 categories include Student Bachelors, Student Masters, and Research Scholar.
4. Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital holds the No. 4 ranking in the USNWR Best Hospitals in the U.S. Honor Roll. Massachusetts General is a general medica, surgical, and teaching hospital, with a number of specialties that rank in the top 10 in the U.S.
J-1 visa sponsorship by Massachusetts General Hospital is available for applicants in graduate medical education or advanced research programs. Applicants must be full-time participants, sponsored by the ECFMG, and must have a “Statement of Need” from their home country.
5. University of Michigan Hospital
Ranked No. 5 in US News and World Report’s Best Hospital Honor Roll, the University of Michigan Hospital was the first university-owned medical facility in the country. Nationally ranked in 14 adult specialties and 10 children’s specialties, the University of Michigan Hospital is particularly renowned for patient safety and it’s strict risk-reduction processes.
The University of Michigan Hospital offers residencies and fellowships to ECFMG-sponsored applicants. Such visiting residents/scholars are referred to as Special Purpose Trainees (SPTs), and SPTs are eligible for programs such as Anesthesiology, Dermatology, and Internal Medicine.
6. UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco
The UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California, is the No. 6 ranked hospital by U.S. News and World Report. Nationally ranked in 15 adult studies and 10 pediatric studies, the UCSF Medical Center encompasses a half-dozen campuses across the Bay Area, each with their own special field or area of study.
UCSF sponsors J-1 visas for visiting physicians participating in clinical training or research programs. These programs typically fall into one of the following categories: observational, consultative, teaching, or research.
7. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
The UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, ranks at No. 7 on U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of the best hospitals in the U.S., with 14 nationally ranked adult specialties and 8 nationally ranked pediatric specialties. The UCLA Medical Center is known in particular for it’s Center for Human Nutrition, which features one of the most successful weight management programs in the U.S.
The UCLA Medical Center sponsors J-1 visas for individuals in one of the following categories:
- Professor
- Research Scholar
- Specialist
- Short-term scholar
- Non-degree student
These programs range in duration, with some like professor and research scholar eligible for a 5-year stay, while short-term scholars can stay for a maximum of 6 months.
8. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, has more than 40 locations in L.A. and ranks as the No. 8 hospital in the country. Cedars-Sinai is known in particular for their multi-disciplinary pain management center and the Smidt Heart Center, where they complete some of the most complex and difficult procedures more than any other hospital in the country.
At Cedars-Sinai, J-1 visas are sponsored for research scholars, short term scholars, and specialists. Each program at Cedars-Sinai has a responsible officer and an alternate responsible officer who acts as an administrator for the program.
9. Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital
Ranked as the No. 9 hospital in the country on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll, Stanford Health Care is located in Stanford, CA. Stanford has 12 adult specialties that are nationally ranked, 2 that are rated high performing, 9 procedures and conditions rated as high performing.
Stanford offers over 150 residency and fellowship training programs, and sponsors J-1 visas for eligible applicants. Applicants for J-1 sponsorship are advised to apply at least 6 months ahead of training, due to competitiveness and processing time.
10. New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City ranks No. 10 in the country, with the No. 4 Cardiology and Heart Surgery specialty and the No. 8 Diabetes and Endocrinology specialty.
New York-Presbyterian provides J-1 sponsorship for research programs and fellowships, including family medicine residencies and an infectious disease fellowship. Not all training programs are accessible to J-1 visa holders, however.
5 Big Expenses to Plan for During Residency in the U.S.
Once you get accepted as a resident, you need to budget for the expenses that will arise. This section breaks down some of the common costs that immigrant residents can struggle to cover.
Interview Expenses
The first stage of applying for residency after submitting your application is completing an interview. There are a number of interrelated costs getting interviewed: travel, lodging, food while you’re on the road. The cost of completing a number of interviews can easily run into the thousands of dollars.
Study Material and Books
If you want to succeed in your residency, you’ll need the relevant course materials. The amount of course materials will vary based on specialty and the duration of your residence.
Conferences, Research, and Presentations
Part of medical residency is attending relevant conferences, conducting research, and creating presentations. While most residency programs will provide a stipend to cover these costs, they often do not allocate enough and residents end up covering the costs themselves. Over an extended period of time and multiple conferences, residents can spend $1-2,000 on travel and lodging.
Student Debt
Most physicians must take on student debt to complete their education, and they must start repaying this debt when they are in residency. Medical graduates regularly have $50-100,000 in medical debt, which will consume a substantial portion of your paycheck in monthly payments
Medical License
Practitioners also must cover the cost of obtaining a medical license. This varies by state, but the cost is alway substantial: in Texas, it can cost as much as $2,500.
Are There Loans for J1 Physicians in the U.S.?
Yes, physicians in the U.S. on a J1 visa are eligible for personal
How to Get a J1 Physician Loan with Stilt
Stilt makes it simple to get a personal loan. First, you complete an online application and provide information on your finances, employment history, and education. Stilt will respond to your application within 24 hours and, if your information meets the minimum eligibility requirements, your application will be accepted.
Once accepted, you will qualify for a range of loan amounts and term lengths, and an interest rate. You simply choose an amount and term, sign a promissory note agreeing to these terms, and the funds are deposited into your account immediately. The whole process takes only a couple of days.
Conclusion
Prospective J1 visa holders face huge obstacles in obtaining residency at one of the prestigious hospitals listed above. Many immigrants don’t have the money to cover all of the interrelated expenses. With a personal loan, you can overcome the financial obstacles involved in applying for residency and get J-1 sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a J1 Physician Visa?
The J1 Physician Visa is a non-immigrant visa in the United States allowing foreign medical graduates to participate in U.S. medical residency or fellowship programs. It is commonly used by international medical graduates (IMGs) for clinical training in the U.S.
What are the requirements for obtaining a J1 Physician Visa?
To qualify for a J1 Physician Visa, applicants must:
- Have a valid contract or letter of offer from a U.S. medical school or institution for residency or fellowship training.
- Pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or equivalent.
- Have competent English language skills.
- Provide a statement of need from the home country.
How long is a J1 Physician Visa valid?
The J1 Physician Visa is typically valid for the duration of the approved training program, which can vary but usually lasts for a maximum of seven years, including any fellowship training.
What is a J1 Visa Waiver, and why do physicians need it?
A J1 Visa Waiver is needed to waive the two-year home residency requirement that J1 Visa holders are subject to. This requirement obliges J1 Visa holders to return to their home country for two years after completing their training in the U.S. before they can change or adjust their visa status in the U.S.
What are the common waiver programs available for J1 Physicians?
Common J1 Waiver programs for physicians include:
- Conrad 30 Waiver Program, which allows each U.S. state to sponsor up to 30 foreign medical graduates each year.
- Interested Government Agency (IGA) waivers for physicians whose work is in the public interest.
- Hardship and Persecution waivers under certain circumstances.
How can a J1 Physician apply for a waiver?
To apply for a waiver, J1 Physicians must:
- Secure a job offer in an underserved area (for the Conrad 30 program) or a qualifying position.
- Prepare the necessary documentation, including the job contract, evidence of qualification, and the waiver application.
- Submit the application through the appropriate channel, depending on the type of waiver sought.
Are J1 Physicians allowed to change employers while on a waiver?
Changing employers while on a J1 Waiver is generally restricted and can be complicated. It typically requires approval from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What happens after a J1 Physician completes the waiver service requirement?
Upon completing the waiver service requirement, J1 Physicians can change their visa status (e.g., to H-1B) or apply for lawful permanent residency (Green Card) in the U.S. without returning to their home country.
Can J1 Physicians bring their families to the U.S.?
Yes, J1 Physicians can bring their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the U.S. on J2 dependent visas. J2 visa holders may study and, in some cases, work in the U.S.
What are the implications if a J1 Physician fails to fulfill the waiver service requirement?
Failing to fulfill the waiver service requirement can lead to the reinstatement of the two-year home residency requirement and potential difficulties in obtaining future U.S. visas.
Frank Gogol
I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.