For international clinical trainees who require a visa, UT Southwestern supports the J-1 Alien Physician Trainee visa sponsored through the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECMFG.) 

NOTE: Contact International Affairs immediately if the prospective trainee is already in the U.S. under a visa classification other than the ECFMG J-1. Additional requirements may apply.

To initiate the ECFMG J-1 Visa Process, please provide the following three items to International Affairs as soon as trainee is selected and accepts the offer:

1. Completed  ECFMG J-1 Departmental Application

• You must specify whether the program is ACGME-accredited or is a “non-standard” (TMB-approved) program
• The “Parent Program” of a non-standard program is usually the program that serves as a prerequisite and shares resources with the non-standard program
• Provide a Federal Express account number so visa document can be forwarded to the trainee as quickly as possible
• If no Federal Express account, a PeopleSoft Subledger and Department Number is acceptable

2. A copy of the contract letter printed on letterhead, signed by the program director and the prospective clinical trainee, and containing the following information:

• Official name of clinical training program
• Duration of residency or fellowship program
• PGY level of trainee
• Annual salary or stipend
• Start date of training (including dates of any required orientation)
• End date of training

3. A copy of prospective trainee’s CV, including current address (if possible)

Upon receipt of items 1-3, International Affairs will identify which documents from the ECFMG J-1 checklist will be needed from the trainee and from the program to complete the application. 

• To access the correct ECFMG checklist on your own you must understand the following terminology:
• ACGME Accredited Training Program: Approved by the American Council on Graduate Medical Education and assigned an ACGME number
• Non-Standard Training Program: Cutting-edge training not yet recognized by ACGME but approved as a training pathway by the Texas Medical Board
• Initial ECFMG Sponsorship: Prospective trainee has never held ECFMG J-1 visa before and is asking to be issued that status for the first time
• Continuation of ECFMG Sponsorship: Prospective trainee already holds ECFMG J-1 visa for another U.S. training program and is asking for an extension of time to complete your program
• Various required forms, samples, and instructions are linked to each checklist
• ECFMG is quite strict regarding completion of forms and other documentation
• If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate liaison person in the Office of International Affairs before you complete the forms, to avoid delays and rework.
• If trainee is a UTSW employee, please ask him/her to complete the New Hire Documentation and submit it to HR-Records Division before attending orientation.