Physician Visa Processing Resumes After Policy Shift

The Trump administration resumed visa processing for medical physicians, amending a prior policy that halted their applications under a broader travel ban.

Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security froze decisions on visa extensions, work permits and green cards for citizens of 39 countries. As a result, some hospitals placed foreign physicians on administrative leave, while others faced losing their ability to practice.

Late last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its guidance without a formal announcement, its website confirming that an internal review process for lifting holds on individual or group cases for various parties, including medical physicians, is now in place.

The policy change comes as the United States grapples with a significant physician shortage and foreign-trained physicians play a critical role in addressing this gap. The temporary restrictions had impacted physicians from regions including Africa, the Middle East and Venezuela, demonstrating how immigration policy can directly affect the healthcare system nationwide.

Last year, there was a similar interruption related to the processing of J-1 visas for international medical graduates that was lifted. ACR® continues to advocate for exceptions to some of the administration’s immigration policies impacting the physician workforce, including the $100,000 H1-B visa fee that remains in place.

If you have questions, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Government Affairs Director.