J-1 Physician Visa Waiver Program
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Montana Primary Care Office are committed to improving access to primary medical and mental health care by participating in the U.S. Department of State Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver program. Foreign medical graduates may apply for a J-1 visa waiver with a commitment to work in a healthcare shortage area. The J-1 visa waiver program application cycle runs from October 1 to September 30 each year.
The federal requirements for the MT DPHHS J-1 program include a limit of 30 total J-1 positions each year. Up to 10 of the available 30 positions can be flex positions. MT DPHHS will prioritize complete J-1 visa waiver applications based on the order received and limit the number of positions available for primary care, specialty care, and flex positions according to the Priority of Positions Policy.
The J-1 physician must agree to work at a health facility in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P), or for flex positions they must agree to serve patients from a shortage area, for three (3) years on a full-time basis, no less than 40 hours a week. The J-1 physician must begin working within 90 days of receiving the J-1 visa waiver. Visa waiver recommendations are reviewed by the Montana Primary Care Office and forwarded to the U.S. Department of State.
Montana J-1 Visa Waiver Application
Foreign physicians that have worked for two years in a designated underserved area with a J-1 visa waiver may apply for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) to extend their stay while working in a designated health professional shortage area in Montana. NIW public interest letter applications may be filed before the completion of the J-1 visa waiver, but the total time of employment under an NIW must be at least five years. There is no limit on the number of NIW applicants the Montana PCO may support in a year.
Montana National Interest Waiver Application
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Application information current as of 6/24/2026
Contact information:
Montana Primary Care Office
DPHHS, Family and Community Health Bureau
1625 11th Avenue
PO Box 4210
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3934