Scope
All foreign national physicians participating in a clinical training program at the University of Washington.
Policy
The UW School of Medicine accepts foreign national physicians into its accredited residency and fellowship and non-ACGME accredited fellowship programs on J-1 visas sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The UWSOM generally does not accept residents or fellows on H-1Bs into its accredited training programs unless the resident/fellow is otherwise ineligible for a J-1 visa. Requests for UW sponsorship on an H-1B visa are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to approval by the UW GME Office and the UW Provost's Office.
Procedures
J-1 Visa:The J-1, or Exchange Visitor visa, is a temporary non-immigrant visa sponsored by the ECFMG for foreign national physicians to participate in graduate medical training in the United States. The duration of participation for J-1 physicians in graduate medical education is the "time typically required" to complete the program, and duration is further limited to seven years, provided that the J-1 physician is advancing in an approved program of graduate medical education or training. The J-1 visa holder is further obligated to return to their country of most recent legal permanent residence for at least two years immediately following the completion of their training. The GME Office supports and administers J-1 visa applications with sponsorship by the ECFMG for residents and fellows.
J-1 Eligibility and Requirements:
- Exchange Visitors applying for a J-1 visa must be eligible for visa sponsorship under the criteria set forth by the ECFMG, including successful completion of USMLE Steps 1 and 2 (CK & CS) and ECFMG Certification. For a full listing of eligibility requirements, please refer to the ECFMG Fact Sheet.
- J-1 visa sponsorship applications must be submitted to the Training Program Liaison (TPL) for UW GME (Gabrielle Pett, Box 356340) and should not be submitted directly to the ECFMG. Application fees and other registration costs, as well as reporting changes to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, are the responsibility of the Exchange Visitor.
- It is the J-1 visa holder's personal responsibility to maintain lawful status while in the US and while training within a UW GME training program. Lawful status is evidenced by possession of a current Form DS-2019, an active SEVIS record, and Form I-94 confirming admittance for "J-1, Duration of Status - D/S."
- Moonlighting is not permitted on the J-1 visa.
H-1B Visa: The H-1B, or Temporary Professional Worker visa, is a non-immigrant visa intended for employment purposes. The UWSOM generally does not accept residents or fellows into its accredited training programs on H-1Bs unless the trainee is otherwise ineligible for the an ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visa. All requests for exception must be approved in advance by the GME Office and the UW Provost's Office. The salary for an H-1B must be consistent with the prevailing wage for employed workers in the requested occupation in the same geographic area. Training on an H-1B visa is permitted for a maximum of six years.
H1-B Eligibility and Requirements:
- Foreign Medical Graduates must successfully complete USMLE Steps 1, 2 (CK & CS), and 3 and be ECFMG Certified. Completion of Step 3 is also required for Canadian medical graduates for the purpose of H-1B sponsorship.
- Graduates of Canadian medical schools are considered foreign medical graduates for the purpose of H-1B purposes, and are required to complete USMLE Step 3.
- H-1B applications are processed by the UW International Students and Scholars (ISS) Office. All application fees and any other costs associated with the application are the responsibility of the department in which the resident or fellow will be training.
- A valid medial license is required.
- H-1B visas are position and employer specific, and therefore moonlighting is not permitted on the visa issued for the training program. If the trainee wishes to engage in moonlighting activities while at UW, approval must first be granted according to the UW Moonlighting policy, and a petition specifically for the moonlighting activities must be submitted.
F-1 Student Visa: Foreign nationals who attended a US medical school on an F-1 visa will need to apply for a year of Optional Practical Training (OPT) through their medical school. Processing takes 3 months. OPT provides F-1 students with an opportunity for hands-on work experiences complementary to their academic field of study for up to 12-months. During this period the trainee will still be considered an F-1 student and will be issued an Employee Authorization Document (EAD) card.
Prior to the end of 12-month OPT period, the trainee will need to apply for another type of visa in order to continue in the training program. The GME Office should be contacted in advance to discuss visa options.
Other Visas and Permanent Residence
Foreign nationals are not eligible to train on TN or E-3 visas.
The University will not provide sponsorship of permanent residence for foreign nationals in GME training programs under any circumstances.
Effective: 2007, Revised 11/2008