Michigan Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Application Process

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reserves the right to modify the J-1 Visa Waiver preference criteria in response to Michigan's changing health care provider needs. MDHHS will make every attempt to post current and accurate preference criteria in the application guidelines before each application period.  

The Michigan Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program PowerPoint gives an overview of the FY2022 application cycle.

Application

Applicants will be notified of the decision to recommend or not recommend their application in writing by MDHHS.

• Applications for the FY2022 Michigan Conrad 30 J-1 Waiver Program will be available after June 1, 2021.
• The application is completed by the applicant physician and employing agency and sent to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
• The application cycle will open on September 1, 2021 and close on November 1, 2021. For consideration, all applications must be received by 5:00 PM on November 1st.

Application Content

• All applications that are deemed incomplete will be returned without further review.
• Non-Compete Clauses and Covenants: MDHHS discourages the use of such clauses and covenants in contracts with providers, because it works against the objectives of Michigan's Conrad 30 Program and discourages the retention of providers in an area if that provider chooses to leave the primary site of employment after the contract is terminated.
• Offers of Employment vs. Employment Contract: The U.S. Department of State (USDOS) will not approve an application without a valid Employment Contract. An Offer or Letter of Employment, as offered by some employers, does not qualify as a valid Employment Contract, and should not be included in the application without a valid Employment Contract attached to it.
• Third Party Agreements: It is common for providers to be employed by a physician group and contracted to work in a separate location. While this form of employment is acceptable, it is necessary to document that the Third Party Site acknowledges that they are aware of the J-1 Visa Waiver Status of this contracted employee
• The contract must guarantee prevailing wages for the provider for the term of the contract, based on what is acceptable for the given geographic area of that employer, or site that the provider will be working (if working in a different area/city than the employer is located). Please provide documentation for the prevailing wage offered within the contract.

Cancellation and Withdrawal Policies

Since USDOS will only issue one J-1 Visa Waiver for an applicant, if the applicant changes his/her mind about the Waiver once the application has been sent to USDOS, the applicant must request a cancellation of sponsorship.

If the applicant chose to submit parallel applications (such as hardship or persecution), and the other application has been approved prior to Michigan's Conrad 30 application, please notify us of this immediately.

Please be advised that:

1. If the state of Michigan does choose your application for waiver sponsorship and the USCIS approves it, then MDHHS will ask your employer to report any changes in your employment at your Visa Waiver site. 
2.  Although the State of Michigan accepts non-primary care specialists for placement, it is not acceptable for a dual specialized physician who is granted a Michigan waiver as a primary care physician to change his or her employment responsibilities to a non-primary care specialty during the course of their three-year waiver obligation period . To do so would be considered a breach of agreement, and the State of  Michigan would provide the USDS and USCIS office with this information to act on at their discretion. The MDHHS will notify these federal offices by letter regarding any waiver physicians who do not adhere to any of the terms of the three-year obligation in any way. A default may result in legal action and eventual deportation by the USCIS.