Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
HEALTH PROMOTION AND CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION
Chapter 246-562 - Physician visa waivers
Section 246-562-020 - Authority to sponsor visa waivers

(1) The department may assist communities to recruit and retain physicians, or other health care professionals, as directed in chapter 70.185 RCW, and as provided in 22 C.F.R. Sec. 41.63 by sponsoring up to the number of allowable visa waivers as authorized by the federal government each federal fiscal year if certain conditions are met.

(2) Federal law allows states to sponsor a limited number of Flex waivers.

(3) The department may provide letters of attestation for visa waiver applications sponsored by federal agencies, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the Physician National Interest Waiver program.

(4) The department may exercise its discretion to sponsor a J-1 visa waiver request only when:

(5) In the event an applicant has previously participated in the J-1 visa waiver program, the department may consider the applicant's history of compliance with program rules and regulations.

(6) In any single federal fiscal year, the department may limit the number of sponsorships granted to each location and applicant.

(7) In the event of resource limitations or other considerations, the department may choose to discontinue the program.