The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will resume processing visas for international physicians after a travel ban implemented in January froze decisions on visa extensions and work permits for citizens of 39 countries.

This exemption comes after the ACC joined the American Academy of Family Physicians and several other medical associations in a letter citing concerns over the unintended consequences of prolonged visa processing delays and indefinite adjudicative holds for medical students, resident physicians, fellows and practicing physicians from outside the U.S.

"Physicians and medical trainees are indispensable to the nation's health care infrastructure," the letter states. "Preventing them from entering the country or forcing them to abandon their training due to administrative delay harms American patients, weakens the workforce, and undermines long-standing federal health policy goals."

The College continues to advocate for legislation in Congress with the aim of supporting the clinician workforce. In particular, H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act (H.R. 7961), a bill recently introduced in the U.S. House, would exempt physicians, nurses and other health care professionals from a new H1-B visa petition fee established by a presidential proclamation in September 2025.

Learn about other ways the ACC is working to bolster the clinician workforce now and for the future.

Keywords: Delivery of Health Care, Health Policy, ACC Advocacy, Workforce