Dr. William:

I am a physician with J1 visa now working in a VA (Veterans Affairs) hospital. Is it possible that I may apply for J1 waiver by asking the The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an interested government agency (IGA)? 

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Answer:

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for providing federal benefits to veterans and their dependents. The VA will also act as an interested government agency (IGA) and seek a waiver of the J-1 two-year home residency requirement (HRR) when it is clearly in the interest of the Department's mission and programs. 

Obtaining an HRR waiver through the VA is particularly attractive to foreign medical graduates who are able to secure positions with a VA medical facility. The VA medical facility and the foreign medical graduate conjunctively prepare and file the waiver application with the VA central office in Washington D.C.