FILE PHOTO: The American Medical Association logo is seen at their office in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File photo

(Reuters) -The American Medical Association and 53 leading medical societies have urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to exempt physicians from the newly announced $100,000 H-1B visa application fee, the groups said on Thursday.

In a letter to the DHS, the groups urged the agency to issue guidance exempting physicians, residents and fellows from the proposed fee, arguing they are essential to sustaining a robust healthcare workforce in the country.

The American Medical Association said it is eager to collaborate with the administration to safeguard patient access to care.

President Donald Trump announced a $100,000 one-time fee for H-1B visas, part of his immigration crackdown that has raised concerns about higher labor costs and limited access to skilled workers.

The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty fields like technology, engineering, medicine and academia.

The visas are widely used by the U.S. healthcare sector to recruit international medical graduates or foreign-trained doctors and other professionals trained abroad.

"[We] urge the Administration to categorically consider H-1B physicians entry into the U.S. to be in the national interest of the country, and waive the new application fee, so that H-1B physicians can continue to be a pipeline that provides health care to U.S. patients," physician organizations said in the letter.

In 2021, approximately 64% of foreign-trained physicians practiced in medically underserved areas or health-professional shortage areas, with nearly 46% working in rural regions, according to advocacy groups.

With the U.S. facing a projected shortage of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, the groups warned that the new fee would worsen access to care and increase wait times for patients.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)