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Traveling Outside the U.S.

If a J-1 physician or J-2 dependents have travel plans outside the U.S. and they are not in possession of a travel-validated DS-2019, they must submit a Request for Duplicate Form DS-2019. ECFMG will process the request within 7 to 10 business days and upload the document to your account in MyIntealth. It is your responsibility to ensure that your request for a travel-validated DS-2019 is received by ECFMG well before your departure from the United States.

For more information on international travel tips, please visit the ECFMG website.

Moonlighting

Moonlighting is strictly prohibited while in J-1 status. Physicians on ECFMG J-1 visas are only authorized to participate in official program training activities. If a physician on an ECFMG J-1 visa engages in unauthorized employment including internal moonlighting, ECFMG may have to terminate the physician’s visa status.

For ACGME programs, the training activities are well-defined.  For non-standard programs, ECFMG will review the original program description submitted in support of the visa application.

If you have any questions about a proposed activity and whether it constitutes moonlighting, please contact OIS.

Two-Year Home Residency Requirement

All J-1 physicians sponsored by ECFMG for clinical training are subject to the two-year home country physical presence (foreign residence) requirement of §212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. A Statement of Need from the physician’s country of last legal permanent residence is a J-1 sponsorship requirement and serves to evidence home country support for the U.S. training and provide assurance of an applicant’s commitment to return home.

Accordingly, all J-1 “alien physicians” must return to their home countries for a cumulative period of at least two years before being eligible to do any of the following:

  • Change status while in the United States to the nonimmigrant categories of temporary worker (H) or intracompany transferee (L);
  • Adjust status while in the United States to immigrant visa/lawful permanent resident status (LPR/Green Card);
  • Receive an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; and
  • Receive a temporary worker (H), intracompany transferee (L), or fiancé (K) visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Alternatively, a J-1 physician may obtain a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement. OIS cannot advise J-1 physicians on obtaining a waiver, but we encourage you to seek assistance from an immigration attorney who is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and specializes in physician immigration law.