UCLA GME Visa Policy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to set a standard for US Work Authorization and Visa applications for trainees in UCLA GME programs.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all ACGME-accredited training programs at UCLA.

DEFINITIONS

ECFMG: Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates
IMGs: International Medical Graduates

POLICY

For IMGs needing US Work Authorization, the clinical J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG is preferred when applying to an ACGME accredited training program at UCLA. Each Department’s Training Program Liaison (TPL) with the ECFMG will facilitate applications and will work directly with UCLA DGSOM Visa and Licensing Office for J-1 applications.

US Work Authorization with H1B visas may be considered by the UCLA GME Office in the following situations:

if the applicant is or will be a graduate from an LCME-accredited US or Canadian Medical School, or from a college of osteopathic medicine in the US, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOACOCA), and is eligible for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension of their F-1 student visa to start residency, during which time completion of USMLE Step 3 and H1B visa application will be processed for the remainder of their training.
if the applicant is currently in the US in another clinical residency or fellowship program under an H1B and there is sufficient time left to complete the UCLA training program to which the resident or fellow has applied. This does not apply to applicants currently holding H1B status for non-clinical employment. Transferring the existing H1B visa to UCLA sponsorship will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
if the applicant qualifies as a “physician of national or international renown,” as defined by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, an H1B visa may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Financial and administrative responsibilities for H1B visas sponsorship are borne by individual departments. Departments will work directly with UCLA DGSOM Visa and Licensing Office for H1B applications.

Applicants requiring US Work Authorization must be reviewed by GME/DIO prior to offering a position to confirm the applicant is eligible for appointment. Submission form can be found on MedHub – GME Forms – International Medical Graduate and Visa Holder Request.

PROCEDURE

N/A

FORMS

N/A

REFERENCES

ECFMG Certification & J-1 Visa Sponsorship
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-5900
http://www.ecfmg.org/

USMLE
3750 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3190
Telephone: (215) 590-9700
http://www.usmle.org/

California Medical Board
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-2382 phone
http://www.mbc.ca.gov/

UCLA DGSOM Visa and Licensing Office
10833 Le Conte Avenue, 17-078 CHS
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Mail Code: 709107
https://medschool.ucla.edu/research/research-infrastructure/administrative-support/visa-and-licensing-office

US Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://www.uscis.gov

Contact

Nelson SooHoo, MD
Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Email: gme@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 206-5674

REVISION HISTORY

Effective Date: 12/4/2023

APPROVED

GMEC 12/4/2023

APPROVAL

Graduate Medical Education Committee
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Nelson SooHoo, MD
Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Designated Institutional Official
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Clarence Braddock, III, MD, MPH, MACP
Chief Medical Education Officer of UCLA Health System, and
Vice Dean for Education of UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Johnese Spisso, MPA
President of UCLA Health System,
CEO of UCLA Hospital System, and
Associate Vice Chancellor of Health Science