J-1 Clinical (ECFMG) Visa
Overview
A Clinical J-1 visa in the category of "Alien Physician" is for foreign national physicians seeking entry into U.S. programs of graduate medical education or training. It is a temporary nonimmigrant visa reserved for participants in the Exchange Visitor Program.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) must sponsor alien physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), and the other affiliates in accredited programs of graduate medical education or training, or advanced research programs involving primarily observation, consultation, teaching, or research.
PIPS is not authorized to issue clinical J-1 sponsorship and our office is not involved in this process.
Basic Requirements
- Full-time participation in the approved training program is required.
- All J-1 physicians sponsored by ECFMG for clinical training are subject to the two-year home country residence requirement.
- A “Statement of Need” from the physician’s country of last legal permanent residence is required to serve as evidence of home country support for the U.S. training and provides assurance that you are committed to returning home.
- Approval of your J-1 visa depends partially upon your ability to prove strong ties to your home country and a clear intent to return home upon completion of the training program.
- Host institutions are required to provide you with approved clinical training.
Applicant Requirements
If you are a physician seeking J-1 sponsorship for a non-standard training program, you must:
- Hold a Standard ECFMG certificate with current examination dates
- Have already completed the necessary base residency (or fellowship) training in the U.S. or abroad in your home country
- Hold a valid training contract or letter of offer
- Present a Statement of Need from your home country
- Submit a current curriculum vitae
- Have a clear Statement of Educational Objectives to submit
Clinical J-1 Sponsorship Application
- Contact your U.S. your hospital department with any questions about being sponsored by ECFMG.
- Your U.S. hospital department will coordinate the request with the Training Program Liaison (TPL) who serves as the hospital's official representative to communicate directly with the ECFMG. (PIPS is not involved in any part of the Clinical J-1 process.)
- Once a clinical J-1 visa sponsorship application is complete and all regulatory requirements are satisfied, the ECFMG creates an electronic record for you (and for each of your J-2 family dependents, if applicable) in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a database jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security for the issuance and maintenance of DS-2019s.
- ECFMG issues Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, through SEVIS to confirm your J-1 sponsorship approval.
- ECFMG will provide you with additional guidance and visa application instructions.