U.S. Exempts Foreign Doctors from Immigration Ban Affecting 39 Countries

Foreign Doctors Exempt from Immigration Ban

USCIS Resumes Processing

Concerns Over Doctor Shortage

The US government has decided to exclude foreign doctors from an immigration ban that affected citizens from 39 countries, allowing them to resume visa and residency processes.

The move marks a significant shift in a policy that had paused critical immigration procedures for healthcare professionals.

According to The New York Times, the decision will allow doctors to apply for work visas, renew them, and continue their permanent residency processes.

Government Resumes Immigration Processing for Doctors

The U.S. government excludes foreign doctors from the immigration ban imposed on 39 countries, allowing them to apply for work visas, renew them, and continue their permanent residency processes. https://t.co/lgmLfLnhZ2

— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) May 4, 2026

According to EFE, in January the White House ordered a freeze on immigration decisions for citizens of 39 countries.

This order affected even doctors already practicing in the United States who needed to renew their documents.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume processing visas and work permits for these professionals.

With this change, foreign doctors can move forward with their applications without the previous restrictions.

The decision follows growing pressure from the medical sector.

Impact of the Immigration Ban on Doctors

Foreign Doctors Visa Policy in the US – PHOTO: EFE

The immigration ban did not affect individuals who already had approved visas or were inside the country.

However, USCIS had suspended renewals and updates for applicants from the 39 affected countries.

This created a legal limbo for many healthcare professionals.

More than 20 medical associations sent a letter to the administration of Donald Trump expressing concern over the visa policy for foreign doctors.

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In the letter, they requested an exemption for healthcare workers and expedited processing of their cases.

The situation also had direct consequences for some individuals.

One reported case involved Venezuelan doctor Ezequiel Veliz, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on April 6 in Texas.

Concerns Over Doctor Shortage Due to Immigration Ban

The context behind this decision is tied to the country’s growing need for medical personnel.

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) warned in its latest report about a potential shortage.

According to its projections, the United States could face a deficit of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036.

This forecast has been a key factor in debates over immigration restrictions affecting healthcare professionals.

Exempting foreign doctors from the ban is intended to ease some of that pressure.

Resuming immigration processing represents a step toward ensuring continuity in the US healthcare workforce.