2026 J-1 Visa Waiver Program Now Accepting Application
The Ohio State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program for 2026 is now open, with applications accessible on the program webpage. Prospective sponsors interested in participating in this program should submit the Notice of Intent to Apply as soon as possible, and all applications must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2026.
The Ohio Department of Health submission tips include:
- Check all documents for completeness, accuracy and consistency before submission. Please do not include large documents or extraneous information as part of the application. Only sections that are referenced in required application documents are acceptable.
- Applications from sponsors who submit more than one application must have the same sponsor-identified representative named on each application.
- Application reviews will include evaluation of the sponsor’s adherence to program requirements for current and past participants.
- Please note that sponsors of hospitalists in Appalachian counties may pursue U.S. Health and Human Services or State 30 visa programs and are not required to submit applications to the Appalachian Regional Commission.
AHA URGEST ADMINISTRATION TO EXEMPT HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL FROM H-1B VISA PROGRAM CHANGES
The American Hospital Association on Monday asked the administration to provide exemptions for health care personnel from the proclamation issued Sept. 19, announcing changes to the H-1B visa program. The proclamation increases the fee to $100,000 for new H-1B petitions filed by employers, as well as implementing other restrictions on the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers.
Hospitals and health systems employ H-1B visa holders, who are in specialty professions requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher, throughout the nation. Of the almost 400,000 H-1B petitions approved in fiscal year 2024, 16,937 of those, or 4.2% of the total filed petitions, were for medicine and health occupations, and half of those approved petitions are for physicians and surgeons.
