US Visa Update: Foreign Doctors Hit by Travel Ban Given Exemption
The Trump administration has exempted foreign doctors from a travel ban that previously halted visa processing for nationals of 39 countries. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that applications for medical physicians will continue to be processed despite broader immigration restrictions. The move comes amid growing concerns over a worsening physician shortage in the United States, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
- ▪The travel restriction originated from a presidential proclamation on December 16, 2025, affecting visa extensions, work permits, and green cards for nationals of 39 countries.
- ▪Foreign-trained physicians make up 23 percent of licensed doctors in the U.S., with 64 percent practicing in underserved areas facing physician shortages.
- ▪The Association of American Medical Colleges projected a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, while federal data suggests a potential deficit of 141,000 by 2038.
- ▪U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its website last week to reflect that physicians are no longer subject to the immigration processing freeze.
- ▪Over 20 medical organizations urged federal agencies to prioritize immigration processing for qualified foreign-trained physicians critical to the U.S. healthcare system.
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By Aliss HighamUS News ReporterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Foreign doctors will again be able to obtain visas to work in the United States after the Trump administration quietly adjusted a policy that had previously halted their immigration processing. The Department of Homeland Security policy is linked to a broad travel restriction introduced earlier this year.
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