AAFP Speak Out: Support H-1B Physicians

On Sept. 21, a new federal Proclamation took effect imposing a $100,000 fee on employers seeking to hire new employees, including physicians, through the H-1B visa program. This threatens the ability of international medical graduates to train and practice in the United States even though these physicians are critical to our nation’s health care system. Section 1(c) of the Proclamation gives the Secretary of Homeland Security discretion to exempt workers whose entry is in the national interest. The AAFP, along with other medical organizations, is urging Secretary Kristi Noem to categorically exempt all physicians, including residents, fellows, researchers, and non-clinical physicians, from this harmful visa application fee.

Why This Matters

• The United States faces a projected shortage of nearly 86,000 physicians by 2036.
• 23% of licensed physicians in the United States are foreign trained, and many practice in rural and underserved communities.
• In 2021, 64% of foreign trained physicians served in Medically Underserved Areas or Health Professional Shortage Areas.
• In 2024, 12% of non-citizen IMGs who matched to any specialty matched to family medicine. The number of foreign IMG applicants who match in family medicine has been rising significantly.
• Nearly 21 million Americans live in areas where foreign trained physicians make up at least half of all doctors.
• Restricting physicians’ access to the H-1B visa program will worsen existing physician shortages, limit access to care, and threaten the health of patients, especially those in rural and high need areas.

What You Can Do

We need your voice to ensure Congress takes action. Please urge your members of the House and Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees to:

• Press DHS to exempt all physicians from the $100,000 fee required of new H-1B visa applicants.
• Recognize that physicians who hold H-1B visas are vital to the United States’ health care and national interest.

Click here to contact your members of Congress! A template letter is included.