Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if EVSP has received my sponsorship application?
- How long will it take to process my sponsorship application?
- How can I ensure timely review of my sponsorship application?
- Where do I send my sponsorship application?
- How do I request travel validation?
- What do I need to do in order to bring my spouse and/or child to the United States in J-2 visa status?
- When am I required to submit a new Statement of Need from the Ministry of Health and where can I find a copy of the language required for the Statement of Need?
- If I am currently sponsored by ECFMG in J-1 visa status, may I change my specialty?
- Am I allowed to work or train outside my training program?
- Where can I find additional information about non-standard training programs?
- Do I need to notify ECFMG or the Immigration Service if I change my U.S. residential address?
- When applying for a J-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate, do I need to submit a Form DS-7002?
1. How do I know if EVSP has received my sponsorship application?
ECFMG receives a high volume of mail on a daily basis. All incoming mail, faxes, etc., are logged into a mail tracking system in date order. If you have an On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS) account, you can view your case status on-line. Therefore, it is not necessary in most cases to call ECFMG for status updates. Due to the high volume of cases, please allow seven to 10 business days before checking on the status of your case.
2. How long will it take to process my sponsorship application?
Processing times vary depending upon application type, how the application was sent, and the method of payment. EVSP reserves four to six weeks to review applications for sponsorship in accredited programs, and six to eight weeks for applications for non-standard programs. Applications that are incomplete at the time of submission to ECFMG may require additional time. EVSP will make efforts to review applications in a timely manner, and will review all applications on a first come, first served basis. Please see page 6 of the EVSP Reference Guide for additional information.
3. How can I ensure timely review of my sponsorship application?
The best way to ensure that your application is processed in a timely manner is to submit all required documentation at the same time. Payment of the application fee via OASIS will also allow for prompt review of your sponsorship application. Detailed mailing and payment instructions are available on this website.
4. Where do I send my sponsorship application?
The mailing of your application packet depends upon your method of payment. For complete mailing instructions, please visit our website. Keep in mind that EVSP staff e-mail inboxes are not large enough to handle most scanned documents. Therefore, it is requested that all application materials and documentation be sent via fax or mail. Please do not scan items and attempt to send documentation via e-mail.
5. How do I request travel validation?
See Travel, which details considerations for J-1 / J-2 travel outside of the United States.
6. What do I need to do in order to bring my spouse and/or child to the United States in J-2 visa status?
ECFMG is authorized to sponsor the spouse and unmarried minor children of the J-1 exchange visitor physician as J-2 dependents. Page 3 of the EVSP Reference Guide offers detailed information on dependent sponsorship. The application for dependent sponsorship can also be found on this website.
7. When am I required to submit a new Statement of Need from the Ministry of Health, and where can I find a copy of the language required for the Statement of Need?
The Statement of Need is required for all INITIAL applicants to ECFMG or if any of the following apply:
- The applicant is entering a new specialty or subspecialty
- The letter on file with EVSP will expire
- The letter on file with EVSP is institution-specific and a change in host institution is proposed
A Statement of Need sample letter is provided in the EVSP Reference Guide on page 10.
8. If I am currently sponsored by ECFMG in J-1 visa status, may I change my specialty?
The Regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Program state that “...the alien physician may once, and not later than two years after the date the ‘alien physician’ enters the U.S. as an Exchange Visitor (or acquires exchange visitor status), change his/her designated program of graduate medical education or training...” [22CFR62.27(f)]. ECFMG is authorized to issue a change in program specialty before the completion of the second year of training. Once an Exchange Visitor enters the third year of training, a change in specialty is no longer permitted. Please see page 7 of the EVSP Reference Guide for additional information.
9. Am I allowed to work or train outside my training program?
The primary objective of each ECFMG-sponsored Exchange Visitor is to receive graduate medical training in the United States which will ultimately enhance his/her skills in a specialty field of medicine. Visa sponsorship, which is documented by Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Exchange Visitor Status) and issued by ECFMG, authorizes a specific training activity and associated financial compensation. Federal regulations do not permit activity and/or financial compensation outside of the defined parameters of the training program. Therefore, employment outside of approved residency or fellowship training (or “moonlighting”) is not permitted. Detailed information on this subject is available at www.ecfmg.org/evsp/evspemot.pdf.
10. Where can I find additional information about non-standard training programs?
For detailed information on the non-standard training provision as well application forms, checklists, and a listing of currently-recognized specialties, see Non-Standard Training.
11. Do I need to notify ECFMG or the Immigration Service if I change my U.S. residential address?
Yes, you must notify both ECFMG and USCIS of any changes to your U.S. residential address. ECFMG can be notified by either:
- Updating your OASIS account
or
As indicated above, USCIS must also be informed of any changes to your U.S. residential address within 10 days of such a change. To report an address change, complete Immigration Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card), available on the USCIS website under “Immigration Forms.” Please note that if you are classified as a "Special Registrant," you must use Form AR-11SR.
12. When applying for a J-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate, do I need to submit a Form DS-7002?
No. Form DS-7002 is a new requirement for J-1 Exchange Visitors in the “trainee” category only and does not apply to foreign national physicians seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of graduate medical education in the category of J-1 "alien physician."