Overview and Definitions

An International Medical Graduate (IMG) is a physician who received his/her basic medical degree or qualification from a medical school located outside the United States and Canada. (U.S. citizens who are IMG’s do not require visa sponsorship, but do require an ECFMG certificate). ECFMG sponsors IMG’s for the J-1 visa (Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program) to participate in graduate medical education programs in the U.S.

OIS serves as the Training Program Liaison at UT Health San Antonio with ECFMG. Training Program Liaisons (TPL’s) are individuals designated to serve as the official teaching hospital representatives and assist in the communications between the GME training programs, the physician on the ECFMG J-1 visa, and ECFMG to ensure regulatory compliance and provide administrative oversight. OIS relies on the GME office, the program coordinators and directors, as well as the J-1 physicians to communicate important and timely information to ECFMG to ensure continued J-1 sponsorship.

If you are offered a clinical residency or fellowship at UT Health San Antonio, your program will work directly with OIS to begin the process of requesting a J-1 from ECFMG on your behalf. Please make sure to work closely with your program coordinator to ensure that you have provided him/her with all required documentation.