Repeating a year on J1 visa?

[NoMeOlvides]

Hi guys!

An SDN newbie here 🙂 I wanted to ask if any of the IMGs here were in a situation where they had to repeat a year while under J1 sponsorship? Perhaps, any PD could also shed some light on it..?

I am in the 1st year of a fellowship (PGY-4) - research track with the first year being devoted towards research. For personal reasons I will need to move next year to a different state (already secured a fellowship spot at a different program and my current program is supportive). I would be moving there for the remaining clinical part of my fellowship. I would be starting there as a PGY-4.

I am currently in my 4th year of J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG. I called ECFMG and asked whether repeating a year is a problem and they informed me that it is not a problem as long as it falls under category of 'remedial training'. Based on what I told them they were not sure. They would have to receive the documents from both programs to provide me with the final answer.

I acknowledge this situation is unique but if anybody has any experience in that matter I would appreciate if they could share it (either by responding in this thread or sending me a PM).

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[NotAProgDirector]

J visas are rather liberal as far as the rules are concerned. As long as you have the SoN from your home country and a contract, you should be fine. And don't forget about the 7 year limit.

 

[itisallrelative]

Hi guys!

An SDN newbie here 🙂 I wanted to ask if any of the IMGs here were in a situation where they had to repeat a year while under J1 sponsorship? Perhaps, any PD could also shed some light on it..?

I am in the 1st year of a fellowship (PGY-4) - research track with the first year being devoted towards research. For personal reasons I will need to move next year to a different state (already secured a fellowship spot at a different program and my current program is supportive). I would be moving there for the remaining clinical part of my fellowship. I would be starting there as a PGY-4.

I am currently in my 4th year of J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG. I called ECFMG and asked whether repeating a year is a problem and they informed me that it is not a problem as long as it falls under category of 'remedial training'. Based on what I told them they were not sure. They would have to receive the documents from both programs to provide me with the final answer.

I acknowledge this situation is unique but if anybody has any experience in that matter I would appreciate if they could share it (either by responding in this thread or sending me a PM).

Have you spoken to your new director regarding this?

 

[NoMeOlvides]

My new PD does not have any experience with IMGs 🙁

 

[rokshana]

My new PD does not have any experience with IMGs 🙁

Your GME office should

 

[NoMeOlvides]

J visas are rather liberal as far as the rules are concerned. As long as you have the SoN from your home country and a contract, you should be fine. And don't forget about the 7 year limit.

Thank you very much aProgDirector. I will still be within my 7 year limit. However I am concerned that ECFMG might not grant me a J1 visa extension just like they do not to people who complete a PGY-1 preliminary year and get a PGY-1 categorical spot in surgery.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Thank you very much aProgDirector. I will still be within my 7 year limit. However I am concerned that ECFMG might not grant me a J1 visa extension just like they do not to people who complete a PGY-1 preliminary year and get a PGY-1 categorical spot in surgery.

This is not a problem I was aware of. Do you have a link?

 

[NoMeOlvides]

This is not a problem I was aware of. Do you have a link?

Then hopefully I am wrong 🙂
ECFMG states in their rulebook that "J-1 physicians are expected to advance through progressive levels of training. Regulations limit ECFMG sponsorship for repeat/remedial training to a maximum of 12 months."

On few forums I found surgery applicants/PGY-1 prelims saying that this rule works against them if they want to do a PGY-1 categorical year in surgery (after completing a PGY-1 prelim year). Please see below:

I extrapolated this to my situation. Perhaps incorrectly?

I apologize I cannot provide any links. When I try to post a website address I get a pop-up window saying I cannot proceed until I reach a certain number of posts or receive likes.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Then hopefully I am wrong 🙂
ECFMG states in their rulebook that "J-1 physicians are expected to advance through progressive levels of training. Regulations limit ECFMG sponsorship for repeat/remedial training to a maximum of 12 months."

On few forums I found surgery applicants/PGY-1 prelims saying that this rule works against them if they want to do a PGY-1 categorical year in surgery (after completing a PGY-1 prelim year). Please see below:
View attachment 224922

I extrapolated this to my situation. Perhaps incorrectly?

I apologize I cannot provide any links. When I try to post a website address I get a pop-up window saying I cannot proceed until I reach a certain number of posts or receive likes.

Doing a prelim year followed by a categorical year would not be considered remediation. It seems to me like progressive levels of training. Not everyone get to go from prelim to pgy2.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

OK. What you're talking about is vaguely described here: ECFMG | EVSP Selected Federal Regulations for J-1 Physicians

The bullet point is this:

• J-1 physicians are expected to advance through progressive levels of training. Regulations limit ECFMG sponsorship for repeat/remedial training to a maximum of 12 months.

The question is whether your situation counts as remedial/repeat training -- but even if it does (which it really doesn't), you still get 12 months, so I think you're OK. Unfortunately, this answer to your question is probably "file the paperwork and we'll tell you afterwards", which is annoying but there's probably nothing you can do about it.

 

[NoMeOlvides]

OK. What you're talking about is vaguely described here:

The bullet point is this:

The question is whether your situation counts as remedial/repeat training -- but even if it does (which it really doesn't), you still get 12 months, so I think you're OK. Unfortunately, this answer to your question is probably "file the paperwork and we'll tell you afterwards", which is annoying but there's probably nothing you can do about it.

aProgDirector - thank you for taking time to look into my situation.

I agree that in my case it is not really a remedial but I am not sure if ECFMG sees it that way since in my current contract it says PGY-4 and my next year contract will state the same. In remedial cases ECFMG expects an explanation from a PD (why the full credit for this year was not given which might be a bit problematic since I am expecting to receive it) and a plan for the repeat year along with reports every couple of months regarding a progress of a trainee. That being said I agree with you aProgDirector - I will submit paperwork and will have to wait.

 

[maxvanderbilt]

in case of repeating J1 for the same level of training (for ex. PGY4 and then another PGY4), having already successfully completed it (without any remediation needed), ECFMG will not grant the J1 visa.
Maybe after 2 years from the ending of your J1, after the expiration of the 2-year rule, will you be able to get an H1 visa to repeat the same PGY4? What do you think?

 

[fitgirl27]

Hi guys!

An SDN newbie here 🙂 I wanted to ask if any of the IMGs here were in a situation where they had to repeat a year while under J1 sponsorship? Perhaps, any PD could also shed some light on it..?

I am in the 1st year of a fellowship (PGY-4) - research track with the first year being devoted towards research. For personal reasons I will need to move next year to a different state (already secured a fellowship spot at a different program and my current program is supportive). I would be moving there for the remaining clinical part of my fellowship. I would be starting there as a PGY-4.

I am currently in my 4th year of J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG. I called ECFMG and asked whether repeating a year is a problem and they informed me that it is not a problem as long as it falls under category of 'remedial training'. Based on what I told them they were not sure. They would have to receive the documents from both programs to provide me with the final answer.

I acknowledge this situation is unique but if anybody has any experience in that matter I would appreciate if they could share it (either by responding in this thread or sending me a PM).

HI

Did it work for you ? Was just wondering how it turned out, I know of someone who is trying to do the same and its just not a very common situation so wondering if it has worked for anyone before.
Thanks

Hi guys!

An SDN newbie here 🙂 I wanted to ask if any of the IMGs here were in a situation where they had to repeat a year while under J1 sponsorship? Perhaps, any PD could also shed some light on it..?

I am in the 1st year of a fellowship (PGY-4) - research track with the first year being devoted towards research. For personal reasons I will need to move next year to a different state (already secured a fellowship spot at a different program and my current program is supportive). I would be moving there for the remaining clinical part of my fellowship. I would be starting there as a PGY-4.

I am currently in my 4th year of J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG. I called ECFMG and asked whether repeating a year is a problem and they informed me that it is not a problem as long as it falls under category of 'remedial training'. Based on what I told them they were not sure. They would have to receive the documents from both programs to provide me with the final answer.

I acknowledge this situation is unique but if anybody has any experience in that matter I would appreciate if they could share it (either by responding in this thread or sending me a PM).

 

[fitgirl27]

Hi
Similar situation, for family reasons am trying to move to a different program, same year and will get credit for this year. Anyone for whom this has worked successfully with ecfmg ?