UAB’s Office of Graduate Medical Education handles the recruitment and matching of hundreds of residents and fellows every spring. Program Directors notify ISSS when an international medical graduate (IMG) will need J-1 sponsorship. ISSS Training Program Liaisons (TPLs) are certified to work directly with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to obtain the necessary immigration document (Form DS-2019) for an IMG to enter the US and begin a training program--or extend an ongoing training program. ECFMG is the only entity in the United States authorized to issue Form DS-2019 for IMGs to participate in US residencies and fellowships. ECFMG generates and sends Form DS-2019 to UAB's TPLs. ISSS cannot directly generate Form DS-2019s for IMGs and must wait for the DS-2019 to arrive from ECFMG after the IMG completes the process below.
To begin the process of initial or extended hiring of a J-1 Resident or Fellow, please complete the J-1 Resident/Fellow hiring process.