Under the Conrad 30 and Interested Government Agency waiver programs, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would be resuming its premium processing of H1B petitions for medical doctors starting June 26th, 2017. Consequently, once their petition is approved they would be allowed to continue staying in the US after they complete their medical training, albeit on a temporary visa.
This program allows these doctors to work in underserved areas where there may be a shortage of physicians. The doctor will work at a health care facility designated by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Medically Underserved Area (MUA), or Medically Underserved Population (MUP). With an intention to improve healthcare access for Americans living in these underserved areas, these doctors can begin employment at the health care facility within 90 days of receipt of the waiver.
To apply for such a waiver, the medical doctor should:
- Fill out and submit Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker
- File for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service
Once the medical doctor has fulfilled the conditions imposed by the waiver, he may become eligible to apply for:
- An immigrant visa
- Permanent residence
- H or L non-immigrant visa
For further information on how to go about filing for premium processing, you may find relevant details at H1B Premium Visa Processing.
Premium processing of other H-1B petitions continues to remain suspended until further notice. USCIS will reject any Form I-907 filed for those petitions, and if the petitioner submitted one check combining the Form I-907 and Form I‑129 fees, USCIS will reject both forms.
