The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is the only institution approved by the US Department of State to sponsor international medical graduates to enter the US on J-1 exchange visitor visas in the "Alien Physician" category to participate in clinical training for residencies and fellowships.
UAB’s ECFMG Training Program Liaison (TPL), Emily Vigneulle, works closely with UAB’s Office of Graduate Medical Education to facilitate the J-1 onboarding process. ALL requirements are dictated by ECFMG. We cannot change the timing, order, or requirements. ISSS serves only as the liaison between ECFMG, the UAB program, and the physician.
Please feel free to review the ECFMG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
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Initial Application
(first application with ECFMG)Physician seeking ECFMG sponsorship for the first time and currently residing outside the US will need a form DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa to come to the US. There are many steps involved in obtaining this form, and all of them are controlled by ECFMG. ECFMG has created specific, detailed checklists describing exactly what needs to upload into their database (EVNET & OASIS). ECFMG has very specific requirements: each document must be uploaded as a separate PDF with a maximum file size of 500KB.
Here is the general process:
- First, the UAB program coordinator notifies ISSS TPLs that a physician will be joining UAB in J-1 status and the TPLs will contact the physician and the program coordinator.
- The physician and the Program Coordinator collect the necessary documents as described in the ECFMG checklist (see the table below to access the list).
- Once we received the necessary documents, the TPLs will create an online Appointment Profile for the physician on ECFMG’s portal (EVNet) and upload the documents. This step depends on how quickly and accurately the documents are sent.
- ECFMG will email the physician to complete his/her part of the application online and pay administrative fees through the physician’s portal (OASIS). Carefully review the information on OASIS and contact a TPL with any questions.
- After the physician completehis/her application and pay the fees in OASIS, ECFMG will review the application.
- If anything is missing from your application, ECFMG will issue a deficiency notice via email to both the physician and the TPLs. It is best to upload everything exactly as ECFMG wants it so that there are no delays in processing.
- After 4-6 weeks, ECFMG approves the application and mails the Form DS-2019 to the ISSS office here at UAB (via UPS or FedEx).
- We will email the physician with instructions to come collect your Form DS-2019 (if already in the Birmingham area) or mail the DS-2019 via UPS or FedEx if the physician is outside the US.
- The physician can make a visa appointment online at this point.
- The physician takes the DS-2019 and other supporting documents to the J-1 visa interview at the US Embassy/ Consulate.
ECFMG checklists table
Please read carefully the table below and click on the appropriate link to be directed to the official and complete ECFMG Checklist pertaining to your situation. Please note that all documents listed may not be required depending on your particular situation. Read carefully the checklists and instructions to determine which documents are required. ISSS is available to answer any of your questions.
Program Type Application Type When to Use Checklist ACGME - accredited Clinical Training Program Initial ECFMG sponsorship Applicant is not currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an ACGME-accredited training program. View Checklist Non-Standard Clinical Training Program NOTE – UAB and ECFMG must confirm that the Program can be sponsored by ECFMG Initial ECFMG sponsorship Applicant is not currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an ACGME-accredited training program. View Checklist -
Extension Application
(already sponsored by ECFMG)The application for physicians who are already in the US and already sponsored by ECFMG, will be considered as an extension/continuation. The process will be the same as the one described for the initial process. Please be sure to select the correct checklist below.
After we receive the extended DS-2019, we will either contact the physician to pick it up at our office (we do not use Campus mail for important immigration documents) or mail it to him/her.
ECFMG checklists table
Please read carefully the table below and click on the appropriate link to be directed to the official and complete ECFMG Checklist pertaining to your situation. Please note that all documents listed may not be required depending on your particular situation. Read carefully the checklists and instructions to determine which documents are required. ISSS is available to answer any of your questions.
Program Type Application Type When to Use Checklist ACGME - accredited Clinical Training Program Continuation of ECFMG sponsorship Applicant is currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an ACGME-accredited training program. View Checklist Non-Standard Clinical Training Program NOTE – UAB and ECFMG must confirm that the Program can be sponsored by ECFMG Continuation of ECFMG sponsorship Applicant is currently sponsored by ECFMG and seeks to engage in an ACGME-accredited training program. View Checklist -
Change of Category
(already in US in J-1 status)If the physician is currently working in the US in J-1 status as a Research Scholar and seek to engage in clinical training program (residency or fellowship) program, he/she has the possibility to apply for a Change of Category.
This means that the physician will remain in J-1 status but change his/her category from J-1 Research Scholar to J-1 Alien Physician.
The application requires additional documents (in addition to those listed under the Initial process) and is reviewed by the US. Dept. of State. Therefore, the processing time for this type of application is longer and it recommended to remain in US while in process.
The same process must be followed if the research program was completed within 6 months before the clinical training program start date.
ECFMG document checklist is available HERE
Important Note – applicants for a change of category are NOT authorized to work until ECFMG has issued their document DS-2019. This does not take place more than 5 days before the start date listed on their contract.
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Board Extension
For physicians who have finished their clinical training, there is an option to extend the J-1 status to sit for an ABMS member board exam.
This application is done directly by the physician him/herself and the TPL is not involved.
Work beyond the training program end date is not authorized.
ECFMG document checklist is available HERE
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International Travel during the Training Program
Physicians who wish to travel outside the US should visit ECFMG travel page and coordinate with ISSS to get their form DS-2019 endorsed for travel. A request for duplicate may be needed.
Please contact
isss@uab.edu for more details.