Foreign-trained physicians who wish to practice in the United States often face complex immigration hurdles. For some, especially those willing to serve in medically underserved areas, there may be a direct pathway to lawful permanent residency (Green Card) without the need for traditional employer sponsorship. This option is known as the Physician National Interest Waiver (NIW).
What Is the Physician NIW?
The Physician NIW is a specialized immigration benefit under the EB-2 employment-based category. It allows certain foreign medical doctors to bypass the standard labor certification process if they agree to work full-time in designated shortage areas or for the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. In return, the U.S. government waives the job offer requirement, recognizing the physician’s service as being in the “national interest.”
Key Requirements for the Physician NIW
To be eligible for this pathway, a physician must:
- Agree to work full-time in a designated underserved area or within a VA facility.
- Serve for a minimum of five years in the qualifying role.
- Obtain a statement from a U.S. federal agency or a state department of health confirming that the physician’s work is in the public interest.
- Possess necessary licenses and pass required medical exams (e.g., USMLE).
- Be otherwise eligible under the EB-2 category, which generally requires an advanced degree or exceptional ability.
This option is particularly beneficial for international medical graduates (IMGs), including psychiatrists, internists, family practitioners, and others, who are willing to practice in areas where medical care is limited.
Why Consider the NIW Route?
Unlike employer-sponsored green card routes, the Physician NIW offers greater flexibility. Physicians do not need to rely on a sponsoring employer and can potentially self-petition. Additionally, this waiver can speed up the green card process and provide more control over one’s career path.
Another key benefit is that physicians can file the I-140 immigrant petition and I-485 adjustment of status application concurrently (when visa numbers are available), which can lead to work authorization and travel permission while the green card case is pending.
Who Might Qualify?
We’ve worked with physicians from around the globe—including Denmark, India, and the Middle East—who’ve had impressive credentials like published medical research, board certifications, and U.S. licensing exam completion. If you’re preparing for the USMLE, working toward state licensing, and committed to practicing in underserved communities, you may be an ideal candidate.
NPZ Law Group Can Help
At Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, our team of U.S. immigration attorneys has extensive experience handling physician-based immigration petitions. We guide clients through every step—from verifying service areas and preparing letters of support to assembling compelling evidence and tracking compliance with the five-year service requirement.
If you are a foreign medical doctor wondering whether the Physician National Interest Waiver might be right for you, contact NPZ Law Group today. We provide tailored legal strategies to help you achieve your immigration goals and contribute meaningfully to the U.S. healthcare system.
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.