TL/DR –
A new U.S. federal H-1B nonimmigrant visa requirement mandates that foreign workers who applied for the visa after September 21 must pay a $100,000 fee through their U.S. employer. The Billings Clinic, which has 25 foreign healthcare workers who have applied for the visa, is concerned about how this could worsen the physician labor shortage in the U.S., which is predicted to reach a deficit of 86,000 doctors by 2036. However, the Clinic may avoid fees through the Conrad 30 Waiver Program, which allows foreign workers to stay in the U.S. after their J-1 visa expires and bypass the $100,000 payment.
Billings Clinic Observes New H-1B Visa Requirement for Foreign Healthcare Workers
Billings Clinic is monitoring a new H-1B nonimmigrant visa requirement, mandated by President Trump’s Sept. 19 proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers”. This rule requires foreign workers who applied for the visa after Sept. 21 to pay a $100,000 fee via their U.S. employer. Eligible workers include physicians, scientists, and engineers.
Impact on U.S. Healthcare Industry
Concerns have emerged nationwide about the impact of this fee on the healthcare industry. Currently, no foreign healthcare workers at Billings Clinic have faced the $100,000 fee. The clinic has 25 foreign healthcare workers who applied for the visa.
Potential Workaround: Conrad 30 Waiver Program
Dr. Ryan Schwanke of Billings Clinic suggests that the hospital might avoid fees through the Conrad 30 Waiver Program. This allows foreign workers to stay in the U.S. after their J-1 visa expires. If workers have a waiver and do not return home post their J-1 visa expiration, they can bypass the $100,000 payment. However, these waivers are limited to 30 per state.
Concerns about Labor Shortage
Schwanke cites existing labor shortages in hospitals, with an anticipated physician shortage of 65,000. The Association of American Medical Colleges report projects the U.S. will face a physician shortage of 86,000 by 2036. The new H-1B visa fee could exacerbate this issue, warns Eileen King English, a New Jersey immigration attorney.
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