The American Medical Association (AMA) and 53 leading medical societies urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exempt physicians from the newly announced $100,000 H-1B visa application fee.

In their letter (PDF), the groups called on DHS to issue guidance clarifying that physicians, residents, and fellows are essential to maintaining a strong health care workforce and should be categorically exempt from the fee. International medical graduates (IMGs) account for about one in four practicing physicians in the U.S. and have long played a vital role in filling gaps in care. In 2021, about 64 percent of foreign-trained physicians were practicing in Medically Underserved Areas or Health Professional Shortages Areas, with almost 46 percent of these physicians practicing in rural areas. With the U.S. facing a projected shortage of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, the groups warned that the new fee would worsen access to care and increase wait times for patients.

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