ECFMG Application Tips - siumed.edu

1 ECFMG Application tips From the Office of Graduate Medical Education international medical graduates 2018-2019. Just the Facts The Department of State To be eligible for ECFMG . has designated ECFMG to be certification the applicant the sole sponsor for all J-1 must have graduated from an Visa exchange visitor physi- international medical school cians. ECFMG sponsors J-1 included in IMED, and passed visa holders to enable them to step I, step II CK & CS. participate in residency and Refer to the ECFMG website MOONLIGHTING: fellowship training programs for more information on eligi- in the United States. bility. ECFMG strictly pro- hibits J-1 visa hold- Any resident on a J-1 visa is It is strongly recommended ers from moonlight- subject to the Two Year that each applicant consult available to assist with any ing outside of their Home Country Physical with an immigration attorney questions regarding the appli- training program.

2 Presence Requirement, to decide if a J-1 visa would cation process. Julie Rhodes Moonlighting could which states that after com- be the proper choice for and Jennifer Rodgers are the lead to visa revoca- pletion of your training pro- them. designated ECFMG Training tion and the inability gram you will return to your Program Liaisons (TPL) at For more detailed information to complete your home country for a period SIU School of Medicine. & instructions on the applica- residency or fellow- of two years. They can be contacted at the tion process, please visit the ship. following email addresses: Regardless of citizenship, any EVSP website. individual that graduated from or The Office of Graduate Medi- Both an international medical cal Education (OGME) is can be reached at this phone school must be certified through ECFMG .

3 Number, 217-545-8853. J-1 Sponsorship Application Process The J-1 sponsorship applica- OGME for review and sub- submitted with the applica- tion is initiated by the TPL mission. Once the TPL up- tion. Evidence of family There is an once a signed letter of offer or loads the documents and sub- relationship and a copy of annual contract is received. Once the mits the Application , the ap- each dependent's passport Application fee for appointment is made by the plicant must log in to name page must accompany a J-1 visa. TPL in ECFMG 's EVNet OASIS to accept the ap- the J-2 Application . It is currently system, an email will be sent pointment & pay the $325. to the Coordinator with a Application fee. There are no additional fees $325. checklist of required docu- for dependents.

4 J-1 sponsor- If you have a spouse or de- ship applications must be ments. The program coordi- pendent child that will be renewed annually prior to the nator & applicant will work accompanying you, the appli- end date of your contract. together to submit this sup- cation for a J-2 dependent porting documentation to the must be completed online &. Page 2 ECFMG Application tips Supporting Documentation for Initial Application Each ECFMG applicant should use country or country of most recent cal School you must also submit: the checklist provided from the legal permanent residence; this Copy of Medical School Diploma ECFMG website to ensure they are must be an original sent direct- submitting a complete Application to ly to ECFMG . Full-Face Passport-Size Photo prevent delays.

5 Supporting documen- Current must detail educa- English Language Attestation tation consists of the following: tion & professional history TO Form if graduate of an LCME- Contract or Letter of Offer DATE WITH NO GAPS; Canadian medical school & are (start & end dates of training year, month/year to month/year for- without ECFMG certification. specialty, training level, stipend mat ( June 2015 to July 2015). amount, signatures of the resident Copy of Passport Name Pages Application and the program director). for Initial Additional documents may be re- Fellowship program descrip- J-1 Visa quired and/or requested by ECFMG . tion (only if applicable) Sponsor- If you are a graduate of an LCME ship Statement of Need from the accredited or Canadian Medi- Ministry of Health in your home Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

6 Once a J-1 visa sponsorship applica- you are reinstating your J-1 visa as tions on paying the fee visit their tion is complete and all regulatory well. Only J-2 visa holders are ex- website. requirements are satisfied, ECFMG empt from paying the fee. creates an electronic record for the J-1 Remember the SEVIS fee is separate applicant and each J-2 dependent in The fee must still be paid for those from the ECFMG fee, and both must the Student and Exchange Visitor applicants who are already in the be paid in full by the applicant. Information System (SEVIS). and do not need to re-enter the coun- try (Internal Change of Status). SEVIS is a database jointly adminis- The SEVIS fee tered by the Departments of State You will be expected to present a ($180) must be and Homeland Security.

7 SEVIS receipt of payment at the paid directly to embassy or port of entry. the There is a fee of $ that must The SEVIS fee must be paid directly Department of be paid in addition to the ECFMG . to the Department of Homeland Secu- Homeland fee for initial J-1 applications or if rity. For information and instruc- Security Changing Visa Status If you are currently in the United (USCIS). This form is also known as In order to ensure your timely arrival States with a visa other than a J-1, and the Internal Change of Status form. for training, it is generally recom- you wish to change your status to a J- The processing fee is an additional mended that you depart the to 1, you may be required to provide $370. The process of filing an internal change your visa status versus filing an additional information.

8 If you do not change of status can take 4+ months. Internal Change of Status. plan to leave the prior to begin- It is your responsibility to ensure the ning your training, you may need to documents are submitted in time to An Application to Extend/. complete an Application to Extend/ begin your training. Change Nonimmigrant Status Change Nonimmigrant Status form (I- For more information on this pro- (I-539), can take more than 4. 539) through the United States Citi- cess, visit the DHS website. months to process. zenship and Immigration Service international medical graduates 2018-2019 PAGE 3. J-1 Continuation Sponsorship Application Residents on J-1 visas must renew nal sent directly to ECFMG ) to the EVNet system and submit the their sponsorship each year through Application .

9 Then the applicant can log Form I-644. ECFMG . It is the resident's responsi- in to OASIS to pay the $325 applica- bility to ensure they maintain a valid Form I-94: submit a copy of tion fee & accept the program ap- visa throughout their residency train- the FRONT & BACK of the pointment. ing. The following information is most recent I-94 or download ECFMG reserves the right to request required when submitting a continua- the electronic version. original documents. tion sponsorship Application (see Additional documentation may be ECFMG Checklist for Continuation): If you are entering a program that is required. not ACGME accredited, this is con- Contract or Letter of Offer All documents, except a new State- sidered a Non Standard Program and (start and end dates of training ment of Need, should be sent as there are different requirements.)

10 Year, specialty, training level, sti- PDFs to your program coordinator. pend amount, signatures of the The Coordinator will then send resident and the program direc- them to OGME for review & sub- tor). mission to ECFMG . Updated Statement of Need The TPL will upload the documents (only if required must be origi- Issues and Changes During Residency Training Many things can arise during your fied immediately of any serious issue, Contract or Letter of Offer residency training. If you are re- incident, or major illness requiring Letter explaining any extension in quired to extend your training at hospitalization. training any time for illness, remediation, visa delays, or any other reason, If you accept a fellowship or any other Work with your program coordinator you must notify ECFMG .