Minnesota J-1 Visa Waiver Program
Minnesota J-1 Visa Waiver Program supports international medical graduates seeking a residency-requirement waiver in exchange for physician service in designated Minnesota areas or settings.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Health
Due Dates: October 12, 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: No direct monetary award; the benefit is a potential waiver of the federal two-year home residency requirement
Summary: International medical graduates in J-1 visa status may seek a residency-requirement waiver in exchange for practicing in designated Minnesota areas or settings.
Key Information: Applicants must agree to practice in a designated Minnesota area or setting.
Description
The Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care administers this waiver program for international medical graduates in J-1 visa status. It offers a way to seek a waiver of the federal requirement to return to their home country for two years in exchange for an agreement to practice in designated areas or settings in Minnesota.
The opportunity appears on the office’s grants and funding page, but it is not a traditional monetary grant. Its purpose is to connect the waiver with physician service in locations and settings identified by the state. The dedicated program page provides the detailed policies and requirements.
