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J-1 Visa Waiver Program — Process for Non-Designated Placement

Based upon federal authorization, up to five J-1 physicians may now be placed in a non-designated area, as long as the employing facility can show that the physician is serving the underserved population.

Prior to April 1 of each federal fiscal year, the Office of Rural Health will not approve any application submitted on behalf of a J-1 physician who proposes to practice under the special program within any urban area. An urban area is defined as any municipality having a population of 50,000 or more persons as well as any area within ten miles of the boundaries of such municipality. The Office of Rural Health may approve any application on or after April 1.

The application process for the non-designated positions is similar to the process for standard positions with the following exceptions:

• The cover letter must state that the application is submitted under the "Special Program Requirements" of the South Dakota J-1Visa Waiver Program.
• The cover letter may also state that in the event the application cannot be considered for the Special Program, the application may be considered under the regular J-1 program.
• The employment contract must include all shortage areas served by the J-1 physician.
• Verbiage within the employment contract that pertains to the 16/24 split does not apply to the Special Program.
• A copy of the J-1 Employment Contract Policy of the SD Department of Health - Special Program (use ADOBE), must be attached to each special application employment contract.

For more information contact Josie Petersen at 1-800-738-2301 (in South Dakota only), or by email at josie.petersen@state.sd.us.

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