ECFMG Sponsorship for J-1 Visa Holders
Following is information from the ECFMG website.
In short, if the proposal under consideration is enacted, the ECFMG will no longer be able to sponsor J-1 visa holders in non-ACGME accredited programs, effective July 1, 2003.
The ECFMG suggests that the directors and department heads of our affected programs may wish to write to their respective Specialty Boards requesting that they ask the Department of Health and Human Services to modify/review this position. HHS will convene a meeting with the "medical organizations with an interest" in April 2002.
Please take this information into consideration as you recruit for any positions that will begin after, or extend past, June 30, 2003.



ECFMG Notice: J-1 Sponsorship in Subspecialty Programs NOT Independently Accredited by ACGME ("Non-Standard" Programs)
February 28, 2002
This notice is to update you on continued discussions between the United States Department of State (DOS) and ECFMG regarding J-1 visa sponsorship eligibility. As designated by federal regulation, ECFMG serves as the J-1 visa sponsor for "foreign medical graduates seeking to pursue graduate medical education or training at accredited schools of medicine or scientific institutions."
The specific issue in question involves the continued sponsorship of individuals by ECFMG in clinical training in recognized subspecialties that are directly associated with ACGME accredited programs, but are not independently accredited by ACGME. These programs are sometimes referred to as "nonstandard" programs. They are typically offered at academic medical centers in the United States and frequently involve cutting edge therapies and procedures in medical subspecialties.
Officials at the Department of State (DOS) have informed ECFMG that it is the current position of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that sponsorship of J-1 physicians is meant to be limited to ACGME accredited programs. In this context, it is important to clarify the eligibility for sponsorship in subspecialties not accredited by ACGME but recognized by an appropriate Specialty Board. ECFMG may continue to sponsor individuals in a subspecialty that is recognized by the appropriate Specialty Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (as evidenced by a letter from the Executive Director of the appropriate Specialty Board) even if that subspecialty is not accredited by ACGME.
DOS advised ECFMG that any request for review or modification of this position should be directed to HHS by medical organizations with an interest in this issue. Therefore, upon recommendation of DOS, ECFMG will convene the pertinent medical organizations (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American Board of Medical Specialties, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Council of Medical Specialty Societies) on this issue, with the goal of presenting a proposal to HHS for its consideration. ECFMG's role in this process would be that of a facilitator.
In the interim, DOS has confirmed that ECFMG shall be permitted to continue to sponsor individuals in clinical fellowships in recognized subspecialties that are directly associated with ACGME accredited residencies or fellowships, but not independently accredited by ACGME, through June 30, 2003. It was further agreed that if no overriding policy directive is recommended by HHS and adopted by DOS, that ECFMG would cease sponsorship in such programs after June 30, 2003.
This memo is intended to serve as official notice of the current guidelines affecting the eligibility of J-1 physicians.  If you have questions regarding this, please contact your Regional Advisor at ECFMG or call 215-823-2121.