ACR Recommends US Visa Flexibility for Healthcare Workers

This article was updated Oct. 2 with details on additional communications from ACR and other medical organizations.

ACR^® filed comments with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to a proposed rule to time-limit J-1 and other visas.  The proposal would impact healthcare occupations currently facing shortages, including physicians and medical physicists, and necessitate increased utilization of visa extension-related processes.

In its comments, ACR focused on preserving and expanding patient care access in the United States. ACR noted the variability in specialist training timelines and recommended that DHS implement flexibility for healthcare workers, streamline extension processes, expand the Conrad 30 pathway and collaborate with the medical community.

In addition to filing comments with DHS, the College also joined a communication with more than 40 organizations to express concern about the proposal and potential impacts on patient access to care.

ACR also recommended that the DHS Secretary exercise the authority granted by the President’s Sept.19, 2025 proclamation to exempt all healthcare workers on H-1B visas, and their family members, from any requirements that new visa petitions be accompanied by payments of $100,000. ACR joined another communication with more than 50 physician organizations urging the issuance of clarifying guidance on exemptions to the new requirements stipulated in the proclamation.

For questions about ACR’s comments to DHS, contact Michael Peters, ACR Senior Director, Government Affairs.