Can an alien physician relocate to another underserved area during the 5- or 3-year service period?
A. Yes. Physicians will not be prohibited from relocating to other underserved areas. However, the interim rule establishes that any physician desiring to relocate must submit a new petition that documents the reasons for the proposed relocation. The interim rule, at 8 CFR 204.12(f), establishes the necessary procedures for the alien physician and the new petitioner to follow. The INS will take into account the amount of time the physician is engaged in full-time practices in calculating the aggregate medical service time in the underserved areas. For example, if the physician completed 3 years of service before approval of a second petition, then only 2 more years of service would be needed to qualify for adjustment of status. However, petitioners and beneficiaries should note that the authorization to begin a medical practice in a new area does not constitute the beginning of a new 6-year period. Regardless of the number of moves, physicians are granted just one 6-year period to comp
