As new federal visa restrictions and processing pauses take effect in early 2026, healthcare leaders are facing understandable questions about what these changes mean for international clinician hiring and workforce planning.
Medical Solutions supports healthcare organizations across the country with a broad range of workforce solutions. Through our global workforce brand, WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions (WWHS), we also specialize in international direct hire recruitment, giving our clients access to dedicated legal, compliance, and immigration expertise.
To help bring clarity, we spoke with Ann-Rose Johnson-Lewis, Director of Legal Services at WWHS, about what is changing, what is not, and how healthcare employers should be thinking about next steps. Below, she answers some of the most common questions healthcare leaders are asking about these changes.
New visa pauses are now in effect. What should healthcare employers understand first?
According to Johnson-Lewis, the most important thing to know is that these are temporary, country-specific actions, not a blanket shutdown of international hiring. Not all countries are affected, and not all visa types are impacted.
“We are seeing two separate federal initiatives happening at the same time,” she said. “One involves national security-related travel and visa restrictions for certain countries, and the other is a pause on immigrant visa issuance for some countries while the government reviews public benefits policies. Each has different rules and implications, which is why there is so much confusion right now.”
What has not changed despite these pauses?
Johnson-Lewis said a lot remains the same. Visas that were issued before the pauses took effect have not been revoked. Many candidates can still move forward with parts of the process, such as filing applications or attending interviews. And for clinicians from non-impacted countries, immigrant visa processing is continuing as normal.
“These pauses are procedural,” she said. “They do not cancel or deny cases, and they do not change the long-term need for international clinicians in the U.S. healthcare system.”
How might these changes affect international clinician start dates?
“For clinicians from impacted countries, we may see delays in visa issuance and arrival timelines,” said Johnson-Lewis. “Some candidates will be able to complete steps in the process, but will not receive a visa until the pause is lifted or modified. How long that takes can vary based on the country, visa category, and individual circumstances.”
She continued by explaining that for clinicians from non-impacted countries, there have been no announced changes.
“In some cases, we may even see improved processing times due to reduced demand in certain visa categories.”
Which countries are affected by the current visa pauses?
“The key thing to understand is that the impact varies by country and by policy. There is no single list that applies the same way across the board,” said Johnson-Lewis.
Some countries are subject to full or partial travel and visa suspensions tied to national security reviews. Others are affected by a temporary pause on immigrant visa issuance while the government evaluates public benefits policies. In both cases, the restrictions apply only to certain categories and circumstances, and there are important exceptions.
For example, individuals who already held valid visas before the pauses took effect, lawful permanent residents, and some dual nationals may not be affected. Clinicians from countries not included in either action are continuing through standard immigrant visa processing.
“Because these categories can change and exceptions matter, we advise healthcare employers to look at each candidate individually rather than assuming broad impact,” she said.”
What does this mean for hospitals and health systems that rely on international clinicians?
Hospitals are still dealing with real workforce shortages, and that pressure has not gone away. What this moment requires is flexibility and informed planning. Employers may need to adjust timelines for some candidates while continuing to move forward with others.
“This is also a reminder of why long-term workforce solutions matter,” said Johnson-Lewis. “International clinicians remain a critical part of care delivery, especially for rural and underserved communities, and these temporary pauses do not change that reality.”
What guidance would you offer healthcare leaders navigating this uncertainty?
“I would encourage leaders not to make assumptions based on headlines alone. The details matter. Which countries are affected, which visa types are involved, and where a candidate is in the process all make a difference.”
She mentioned that staying connected to trusted partners and monitoring official guidance is key. As policies evolve, having accurate, up-to-date information helps organizations plan responsibly rather than react out of concern or incomplete information.
Looking Ahead: Clarity, Context, and Long-Term Planning
While visa pauses can create short-term uncertainty, they do not change the fundamental role international clinicians play in the U.S. healthcare workforce. For many organizations, international direct hire remains a critical part of long-term workforce planning, especially as domestic shortages persist and competition for talent continues.
Medical Solutions helps healthcare leaders think beyond immediate disruptions and design workforce strategies built for stability and sustainability. Through our international direct hire expertise at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, we support organizations in planning ahead, navigating policy changes, and building reliable pipelines of qualified clinicians over time.
If you are evaluating how international clinicians can support your long-term workforce plan, connect with Medical Solutions to start the conversation.
