National Interest Waiver
Foreign physicians can be granted a national interest waiver if they agree to work full-time in a clinical practice for the period of usually 5 years. These waivers relieve the petitioner from fulfilling the labor certification requirements as administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Physicians in this program must provide the service either in an area designated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as having a shortage of health care professionals to include:
- Designated Medically Underserved Areas
- Primary Medical Health Professional Shortage Areas
- Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas
- Veterans Administration (VA) facility
Physicians must obtain a determination that the physician’s continued work in the United States is in the public’s best interest.
If you are requesting a support letter to include with your National Interest Waiver application, please send a letter from your employer stating that you have fulfilled your contractual obligation in a designated shortage area. The Division of Public Health Director will review your request. Requests should be sent to Health Systems Management.
Important Links:
- Search for Delaware MUA Shortage Areas
- Search for Delaware HPSA Shortage Areas
- Federal Shortage Designation Page
For more information, please contact the Health Systems Management section .
