ECFMG Sponsorship Types

• ACGME-accredited Training
• Non-Standard Training
• J-2 Dependent

ACGME-accredited Training

Physicians sponsored as exchange visitors for participation in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited clinical programs or directly associated fellowship programs of graduate medical education or training are categorized as J-1 “(alien) physicians.” Training must be undertaken within an ACGME-accredited Sponsoring Institution.

ALIEN PHYSICIAN (Clinical Training Program): The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines the J-1 “alien” physician as a “foreign national who is a graduate of a school of medicine who comes to the United States under a program in which he or she will receive graduate medical education or training conducted by accredited U.S. schools of medicine or scientific institutions” [22CFR62.4(h)(1)]. Graduate medical education or training “generally consists of a residency or fellowship program involving health care services to patients, but does not include programs involving observation, consultation, teaching or research in which there is no or only incidental patient care. This program may consist of a medical specialty, a directly related medical subspecialty, or both.” [22CFR62.2].

More information about the “physician” category is available on the U.S. Department of State website at https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/physician/ .

Please refer to the ACGME-accredited or Non-standard Training (NST) at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution checklists on the Application Checklists webpage for documentation requirements.

Non-Standard Training

Non-standard training (NST) programs are advanced clinical subspecialty disciplines or paths for which Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation and/or American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Member Board certification is unavailable. If ACGME accreditation is available in the subspecialty being pursued, but an institution’s program is not accredited, the program does not qualify under the non-standard provision for J-1 trainees.

As of July 1, 2023, appointment profiles may only be created for applicants seeking to engage in NST programs by Sponsoring Institutions that have achieved ACGME NST Recognition . The process includes a favorable recognition finding by the ACGME and submission of information on individual NST programs to the ACGME’s Accreditation Data System (ADS). Note that chief resident years (PGY-4) in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Pediatrics are considered NST programs. This requirement also applies to academic/research tracks (see below).

Please refer to the ACGME-accredited or Non-standard Training (NST) at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution checklists on the Application Checklists webpage for documentation requirements.

Academic/Research Tracks: The non-standard provision does not permit ECFMG to sponsor J-1 physicians for stand-alone research programs or years. Similarly, research cannot serve to extend the originally defined duration of a clinical training program under J-1 sponsorship. However, ECFMG can consider sponsorship for participation in a research pathway on a case-by-case basis at a Sponsoring Institution that has achieved ACGME NST Recognition if the pathway is predefined as a required component of an ACGME-accredited program and documented as such prior to an applicant’s entry into the accredited program.

J-2 Dependent

ECFMG is authorized to sponsor the spouse and/or unmarried minor children of a J-1 physician for entry into the United States under J-2 visa status. A minor child is defined as one under the age of 21. A J-1 physician’s parents, siblings, extended family members, and nannies/caregivers are not eligible for sponsorship as J-2 dependents.

J-2 dependents must:

• Maintain a valid passport
• Secure and maintain required health and accident insurance as detailed on the Mandatory Medical Insurance page
• Notify ECFMG of plans to permanently depart the United States prior to the J-1 spouse/parent or change U.S. visa status
• Live with the J-1 physician (at the same U.S. residential address)
• Adhere to all U.S. laws

J-2 dependent sponsorship can be requested:

• At the time of application for J-1 sponsorship, OR
• At any time via the J-1 Visa Sponsorship section of OASIS, under the “Dependents” tab

A copy of the dependent’s passport biographic page and evidence of the family relationship (i.e., marriage, birth, or adoption certificate) with English translation, if applicable, must be uploaded in support of any dependent sponsorship request.

Please see the instructions sheet for more information on how to acquire J-2 status once Form DS-2019 has been issued by ECFMG. J-1 physicians are not required to notify ECFMG of newly arrived J-2 dependents.

J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once an EAD card is issued, the J-2 dependent is then eligible to apply for a Social Security number through the Social Security Administration. If employed, income derived from the spouse’s employment cannot be used to support the J-1 physician and/or the family.