Reminders for Maintaining Status

If you are an alien physician in J-1 status, your program sponsor is ECFMG. Therefore, you must make sure to read all communication from ECFMG and pay care attention to their requirements and policies. Failure to do so could result in loss of your J-1 sponsorship. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the ECFMG website, where you can find not only these reminders, but also resources that can assist you with your stay in the U.S.

Note: new EV physicians and their dependents are required to read ECFMG’s Exchange Visitor Orientation and confirm understanding by signing off in their OASIS account. The orientation will be made available within two week after ECFMG has validated the physician’s record.

As a J-1 physician, you are responsible for:

  • Maintaining a valid passport at all times
  • Securing and maintaining required health and accident insurance as detailed on the Mandatory Insurance page
  • Reporting any address changes within ten days to ECFMG through ECFMG’s On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS) or the MyECFMG mobile app
  • Engaging in full-time training at the host institution identified on Form DS-2019
  • Notifying ECFMG of any proposed changes to his/her training plan (e.g., training levels, training dates, resignation, etc.)
  • Reporting to ECFMG any serious matter involving you or your J-2 dependents; including any events impacting your health, safety, and welfare
  • Adhering to all U.S. laws

Reporting Requirements

In addition to reporting any change of address or contact information to OIS and ECFMG, you must notify OIS of any of the following changes in advance:

  • Arrival / Delays – If physician is delayed for any reason including visa issuance more than 30 days from the start date of the program (as indicated as on the DS-2019 form), then the program must notify the OIS.
  • Leave of Absence  – ECFMG must be informed at least 30 days in advance of any planned leave of absence, including, but not necessarily limited to, medical, parental, or academic leave.
  • Remedial Training – Per J-1 regulations, a maximum of 12 months of repeat training may be granted on the request of the program director, and ECFMG must approve in advance.
  • Off-Site Rotation/Elective – ECFMG must be informed at least 30 days in advance of any proposed off-site rotation or elective that will be conducted at a location other than UT Health San Antonio or a participating site as reported and recognized by ACGME, including international rotations.
  • Resignation – OIS must be informed immediately of a physician’s plan to leave his/her training program in advance of the program end date on the DS-2019.
  • Dismissal – OIS must be informed immediately of any physician’s dismissal in advance of the program end date on the DS-2019.

In addition to the scenarios mentioned, any changes to the approved training plan or planned gaps between training years must be communicated with OIS, who will report these changes to ECFMG.

J-2 Dependents

ECFMG is authorized to sponsor the spouse and/or unmarried minor children of a J-1 physician for entry to the United States under J-2 visa status. A minor child is defined as one under the age of 21. Parents, brothers, sisters, other family members, and nannies are not eligible for sponsorship as J-2 dependents.

J-2 dependents must:

  • Maintain a valid passport
  • Secure and maintain required health and accident insurance as detailed on the Mandatory Insurance page
  • Notify ECFMG of plans to permanently depart the United States prior to the J-1 spouse/parent or change U.S. visa status
  • Live with the J-1 physician (at the same U.S. residential address)
  • Adhere to all U.S. laws