International Affairs

Medical Residents and Fellows

Foreign-born medical doctors who received their medical degrees abroad are commonly referred to as International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and are subject to special regulations with regard to licensure and visa status. Many IMGs participate in post-graduate medical training at UTMB.

Most IMGs complete medical residency and fellowship programs using the J-1 exchange visitor visa sponsored by the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Decisions about the availability of visa sponsorship are made by individual training programs and the Office of Graduate Medical Education. The Office of International Affairs provides advice and support to them with respect to immigration matters, but does not make any sponsorship decisions.

All applications for visa sponsorship for clinical training must be reviewed, signed, and forwarded for action by the Office of International Affairs.

Additional Information:

• ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program - For additional information about ECFMG's J-1 program for physicians.
• ECFMG J-1 Travel Page - Physicians with ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas should carefully review the information and instructions from ECFMG when planning and preparing for any international travel.
• Graduate Medical Education at UTMB - For information about UTMB medical residency and fellowship programs.
• Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education - For information about approved graduate medical education programs.