The new guidelines have removed previous limitations on visa approvals and work authorization for many international doctors, according to The New York Times.
A Department of Homeland Security policy related to a January travel ban had previously frozen visa extensions, green cards, and work permits for citizens from 39 countries, as mentioned in earlier reports.
This situation had a direct impact on doctors working in US hospitals, leading to some being placed on administrative leave while others faced job insecurity.
Last week, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services quietly updated its website, indicating that physicians would no longer be affected by the processing freeze, without any formal announcement.
DHS confirmed in a statement to The New York Times that, “Applications associated with medical physicians will continue processing.”
This decision comes at a crucial time when the US is already experiencing a significant shortage of doctors. According to the report, citing data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, there is a shortfall of approximately 65,000 physicians, a gap that is projected to widen in the coming years as the population ages and more doctors retire.
International doctors are vital in addressing this shortage, with over 60% working in primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. These fields often attract fewer American doctors due to longer hours and relatively lower pay compared to specialty areas.
Currently, foreign physicians constitute about 25% of the US medical workforce. The prior policy also caused significant individual disruptions. In one instance, a family doctor from Venezuela was detained in Texas after falling out of legal status due to delays in visa processing. He was eventually released after several days, while others faced uncertainty as their applications remained unresolved.
In April, more than 20 medical associations contacted government officials, expressing ‘urgent concern’ regarding barriers preventing “qualified, vetted physicians” from entering and remaining in the US. They advocated for exemptions and expedited processing of visa applications.
In June of last year, President Donald Trump enacted a travel ban affecting 19 countries, which was later expanded in January to encompass 39 nations. This action mirrored a previous restriction from his first term that barred entry to individuals from several Muslim-majority countries, though that earlier policy did not affect those already residing and working in the US.
