• Initial / New J-1 Visa: First time on J-1 clinical visa. 
• Continuation of J-1 Sponsorship: continuing in same training program at same institution. 
•  Change of J-1 Visa Category: changing from J-1 “research scholar” visa type to J-1 clinical visa category
• Non-Standard Training  - please refer  to Non-Standard Training section  details on institution approval/process for offering non-standard.

• The J-1 exchange visitor visa is a temporary,  nonimmigrant  visa reserved for educational training purposes for physicians. 
•  The J-1 clinical visa is only available for physicians in training programs 
• Other types of J-1s include J-1 research,  J-1 scholar (not processed by GME office).
• The J-1 via has a two-year home residency requirement with seven years’ maximum progressive training length.   

        See ECFMG site for full details

• J-1 renewal is processed annually with each contract training year.
• J-1s pay processing fees in ECFMG system.
• There can be no gaps in training between contract/training dates for continuing J-1s.

Role of Host Institution

1. Assumes responsibility for providing the J-1 Physician for the GME training for which he/she is coming to the U.S.
2. Cooperates with ECFMG to providing administrative oversight. 

Role of J-1 Alien Physician (and J-2 Dependents)

1. Complies with all J-1 Alien Physician regulations including the following:
   • Reports new address within 10 days of move via ECFMG site 
   • Accepts obligations of J-1 sponsorship – obtaining health insurance, no moonlighting, reporting of serious incidents, Two-year home country physical presence, etc.
      

    Minimal Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements for J-1 Physicians – refer to ECFMG for most up-to-date requirements 

    ECFMG Reference Guide for J-1 Physicians    

J-1 Physician (and J-2 Dependents) Regulations 

J-1 Physician (and J-2 Dependents) must comply with all J-1 Alien Physician regulations including:

1. No moonlighting or employment outside of approved training program - 

 To moonlight is to work a second job in addition to the approved program of training (primary job) reported on the DS-2019.  Refer to U.S Code of Federal Regulations, strictly prohibits J-1 physicians from working outside of the approved training program. There are no exceptions to this policy.

2. Health Insurance Requirement - 

 J-1 exchange visitors and accompanying J-2 dependents must secure comprehensive health insurance all times during the exchange visitor program. Additional details about the insurance requirements can be found at ECFMG website . Incoming Residents and Fellows will receive details regarding enrolling in UK offered health care benefits during on-boarding and orientation. 

3. Serious Incident Reporting - 

Serious incidents impacting safety, health, or welfare of J-1 and J-2 dependents must be reported to ECFMG.  Refer to ECFMG document for examples of serious incident at Incident Reporting Rubric 

International Travel on J-1 visa 

DS-2019 must be signed in Travel Validation by Responsible Office box on the lower right side of DS-2019. Only ECFMG personnel can sign this field. Initial or first training year on J-1 visa will not be travel validated (endorsed/signed in lower left corner of DS-2019) for international travel.  If international travel is planed during first year, a Travel validated DS-209 will need to be requested.  For details, see  inquire  with TPL and refer to ECFMG Request for Duplicate Form DS-2019. 

Instructions can be found using the link below. 

J-2 dependent applicants

This document  is required for all J1 clinical visas  from the Ministry of Health of the country of most recent legal permanent residence. For full details, refer to ECFMG site.

For additional details, please refer to :

 ECFMG CERTIFICATION 2024 INFORMATION BOOKLET

GME residents and fellows are sponsored on H-1B visas only in rare cases with extenuating circumstances. H-1B visas offers require prior GME approval with justification from the training program director and applicant. H-1B visa allows for a maximum of six years of visa eligibility. 

Physician trainees are sponsored on H-1B visas only in rare cases with extenuating circumstances. H-1B visas offers require prior GME approval with justification from the training program director and applicant. H-1B visa allows for a maximum of six years of visa eligibility. 

For additional H-1B information,

Refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  

Non-U.S. citizens applying to non-physician UK GME training programs (listed below) must either have Permanent Resident Status, Employment Authorization Card, or be eligible to obtain one of the following employment visas; F-1 OPT, or H-1B.

Non-physician training program managed by UK GME include

• Dentistry
• Hospital Administration
• Medical Physics
• Medical Physics
• Optometry 
• Pharmacy 

Non-physician GME residents and fellows are not eligible for the J-1 visa program, which is only for available to physicians in training.  

Non-physician training programs should discuss visa options during interview, and inquire with GME Registrar for confirmation.   H-1B visas require justification from the applicant and program director, with both the candidate and the program responsible for associated individual and institutional fees. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for Non Physicians

Optional practical allows eligible students to get real-world work  experience related to their field of study. Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in SEVIS,  and the student must apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

H-1B for Non Physicians 

GME residents and fellows are sponsored on H-1B visas only in rare cases with extenuating circumstances. H-1B visas offers require prior GME approval with justification from the training program director and applicant. H-1B visas allow for a maximum of six years of visa eligibility. For additional H-1B information, please refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.