Application Checklists

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• Application Checklists and Descriptions
• Minimal Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements for J-1 Physicians
• Minimal Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements for J-1 Research Scholars
• U.S. and Canadian Medical School Graduates

J-1 sponsorship requires direct coordination between the J-1 applicant, the host institution, and ECFMG. The teaching institution’s Training Program Liaison (TPL) and the J-1 applicant must coordinate the submission of the sponsorship application and all supporting documentation to EVSP for review.

The checklists below describe the applications’ steps and include instructions on how to apply for J-1 sponsorship through ECFMG.

Application Checklists and Descriptions

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ACGME-accredited or Non-standard Training (NST) at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution

Application Type	When to Use
Initial ECFMG sponsorship in an ACGME-accredited training program or NST program at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution. View checklist.	Applicant is not currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an ACGME-accredited training program or NST program at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution.
Continuation of ECFMG sponsorship in an ACGME-accredited training program or NST program at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution. View checklist.	Applicant is currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an ACGME-accredited training program or NST program at an ACGME-recognized Sponsoring Institution.

Non-standard Training (NST) via ABMS Member Board Recognition
(Available through June 30, 2023.)

Application Type	When to Use
Initial ECFMG sponsorship in an NST program via ABMS Member Board recognition. View checklist.	Applicant is not currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an NST program via ABMS Member Board recognition. (Available through June 30, 2023.)
Continuation of ECFMG sponsorship in an NST program via ABMS Member Board recognition. View checklist.	Applicant is currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an NST program via ABMS Member Board recognition. (Available through June 30, 2023.)

Research Scholar

Application Type	When to Use
Initial ECFMG sponsorship in a research scholar non-clinical program of observation, consultation, teaching, or research. View checklist.	Applicant is not currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in a research scholar non-clinical program with either no or incidental patient care.
Continuation of ECFMG sponsorship in a research scholar non-clinical program of observation, consultation, teaching, or research. View checklist.	Applicant is currently sponsored by ECFMG in a research scholar non-clinical program and seeks to continue participation in a non-clinical research program with either no or incidental patient care.

ABMS Member Board Exam Sponsorship Extension

Application Type	When to Use
Continuation of ECFMG sponsorship to sit for an ABMS Member Board examination. View checklist.	Applicant is currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks an extension of sponsorship to sit for an ABMS Member Board examination.

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Minimal Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements for J-1 Physicians

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Foreign nationals applying for sponsorship as J-1 physicians to participate in clinical training programs must meet the following general requirements:

• Pass Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
• Be certified by ECFMG. (Note that graduates of LCME-accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada are not required to be ECFMG certified.)
• Hold a contract or an official offer letter for a position in an approved clinical training program. (Note that it is the program that initiates the J-1 visa sponsorship application process with ECFMG.)
• Provide an original Statement of Need from the Ministry of Health of the country of most recent legal permanent residence. More about Statements of Need can be found on this page: https://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/applying-general.html#need

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Minimal Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements for J-1 Research Scholars

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If a foreign national physician’s proposed host institution is not designated as a J-1 sponsor by the U.S. Department of State, ECFMG will consider sponsorship in the research scholar category for participation in programs of observation, consultation, teaching, or research. Foreign nationals applying for sponsorship as J-1 research scholars must meet the following general requirements:

• Be a graduate of a U.S., Canadian, or foreign medical school;
• Hold a contract or official letter of offer for a position;
• Obtain the appropriate certification statement for no patient contact or incidental patient contact.

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U.S. and Canadian Medical School Graduates

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To initiate a sponsorship application, a TPL must have an applicant’s USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number. Applicants who do not currently have a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number must request one by contacting evsp-support@ecfmg.org with the following information:

• Full name of applicant physician
• Date of birth (mm/dd/yy)
• E-mail address
• Name and country of medical school
• Gender

TPLs are not permitted to request a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number on behalf of an applicant. Once the Identification Number is issued by ECFMG, the applicant must provide the Identification Number to the TPL.

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