Shortage Areas

A physician shortage area is a geographic location or a specific type of medical practice that has a shortage of healthcare professionals. This shortage may be due to a variety of factors such as population growth, aging of the population, or a lack of medical professionals in the area. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) designates certain areas as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUAs/Ps) to identify areas in need of additional healthcare resources.

For physicians seeking to obtain a green card, working in a designated physician shortage area may be a factor in obtaining a national interest waiver. A national interest waiver allows certain immigrants who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or who have exceptional ability to bypass the labor certification process and obtain a green card directly through the employment-based second preference category (EB-2). One of the criteria for obtaining a national interest waiver is that the physician's work must be in an area designated as having a shortage of healthcare professionals.

To qualify for a national interest waiver as a physician, the medical doctor must also demonstrate that their work will significantly benefit the national interest of the United States. This can include improving healthcare access in underserved areas, contributing to medical research, or providing specialized medical services.

It is important to note that obtaining a national interest waiver as a physician is a complex process and requires the submission of extensive documentation to demonstrate the individual's qualifications and the national benefit of their work. It is recommended to seek the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer to navigate the process.