Many medical residency programs, Graduate Medical Education or GME, will accept international medical graduates in the Exchange Visitor (J-1) program sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). The J-1 program permits physicians to complete graduate medical education or training in the U.S. while in J-1 status.

However, the J-1 visa carries with it the two-year home residence requirement, a provision that renders the J-1 physician ineligible to apply for a change of status to another nonimmigrant visa status (H or L), to apply for an immigrant visa or to adjust their status to permanent resident until the home residence has been satisfied or waived.Continue Reading The Conrad 30 Program provides an avenue for J-1 physicians to remain in the U.S.