Visa Sponsorship and International Medical Graduate Information | Graduate Medical Education | UC Davis School of Medicine

The California Medical Board will recognize an international medical school as meeting the educational requirements for a Postgraduate Training License/Licensure if the school is listed on the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) World Directory of Medical Schools.

• Visa – A clinical J-1 visa is required for training in any UC Davis Health residency and fellowship program. The visa can only be sponsored by ECFMG, which requires passage of USMLE Steps 1 and 2.  Applicants on a J-1 with a waiver from the Department of State (DOS) can only be accepted into our programs on an EAD or clinical J1 visa.
• ECFMG Certificate – International Medical Graduates (IMG) must have a current, valid ECFMG certificate in order to be eligible for postgraduate training. To obtain an ECFMG certificate, IMG must meet the following examination and medical education credential requirements.
  • Pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
  • California law states that passing scores on the written examinations shall be valid for a period of 10 years from the month of the examination for purposes of qualification for licensure in California. Upon expiration of the 10-year period, the applicants may be required to re-take the expired examination.
  • Pass the English exam; and,
  • Meet all educational requirements as specified by ECFMG.

• Permanent resident, refugee or asylee must provide proof of resident alien status and have the legal right to work in the United States.
• ECFMG Certificate – The International Medical Graduate (IMG) must provide a copy of a current, valid ECFMG certificate regardless of citizenship.
• An IMG with pending applications for Permanent Residency will sometimes qualify for a Work Authorization permit (EAD). A copy of the current permit must be submitted along with a copy of the receipt for filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

• Non-U.S. citizens, who graduate from a U.S. medical school, sponsored by an F-1 student visa, are not required to meet ECFMG requirements.
• The F-1 student visa is not permitted for postgraduate training at UC Davis Health and may be converted to a one-year Work Authorization permit (EAD) before the start of training, using the F-1 OPT option. 

• Graduates of Canadian medical schools are required to obtain a clinical J-1 visa, sponsored by ECFMG, for training in UC Davis Health residency and fellowship programs.
• Candidates must pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK. California law states that passing scores on the written examinations shall be valid for a period of 10 years from the month of the examination for purposes of qualification for licensure in California. Upon expiration of the 10-year period, the applicants may be required to re-take the expired examination.
• A U.S. Social Security Card is required for training.
• ECFMG certificate and English test are not required.

Important Note: Individuals who will graduate from Canadian medical schools on or after July 1, 2025 will be considered international medical graduates for the purpose of entry into graduate medical education (GME) programs in the United States, and, in order for these graduates to enter ACGME-accredited residency programs, the ACGME will require that they either obtain ECFMG Certification or hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S. licensing jurisdiction in which the ACGME-accredited program is located. Please refer to this announcement for more information. 
Source: ECFMG Certification