Exchange Visitor
Sponsorship Program (EVSP)
Copyright © 2021, 2023 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®). All rights reserved.
February 10, 2023
Page 1 of 2
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The information provided in this memorandum outlines the process and requirements to le a change of category request with the U.S. Department of
State (DOS) through ECFMG. Please read all of the information below very carefully before submitting an application requesting a change of category
from J-1 “research scholar” to J-1 “alien physician.”
Individuals in the United States as J-1 “research scholars” at the time of application to ECFMG who wish to request sponsorship in the “alien
physician” category must le a formal change of category request with the DOS through ECFMG/EVSP. The DOS has indicated that worthy change of
category requests must document consistency with and relationship to one’s original exchange objective. Additionally, the DOS has indicated that
applicants who have applied for or received a waiver of a two-year home country physical presence requirement associated with their current (or any
previous) J status are not eligible to apply for a change of J-1 category.
Receipt of the documentation listed below allows ECFMG to evaluate an individual’s eligibility to seek a change of category.
Required Change of J-1 Visa Category Documentation
• COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR ECFMG SPONSORSHIP
Please see “Application Checklists and Descriptions” at https://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/applying-checklists.html for additional information on the
application process and all general application requirements.
• COPIES OF ALL CURRENT AND PREVIOUS FORMS DS-2019
• COPY OF CURRENT FORM I-94, ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE RECORD
• STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES (SEO) FROM APPLICANT
Completion of SEO Form. The SEO Form is available at https://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/applicant-SEO.pdf.
• RESEARCH MENTOR SUPPORT LETTER
Letter of support from current research program director/mentor clearly explaining how the research activities relate to the proposed clinical
training activity.
• RESPONSIBLE OFFICER FORM
Signed acknowledgment from the Responsible Ofcer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Ofcer (ARO) of the current sponsoring J-1 program
conrming his/her knowledge that (1) a change of category is being pursued, (2) the Exchange Visitor will maintain J-1 status while the change
of category request is pending, and (3) program release and SEVIS transfer will be granted if DOS approves the requested change in category;
the requested acknowledgement must be conrmed through completion of the “Responsible Ofcer/Alternate Responsible Ofcer Change of
Category Acknowledgement” form available at http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/category.pdf.
• CLINICAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR SUPPORT LETTER
Letter of support from proposed clinical program director clearly explaining how the research activities relate to the proposed clinical training
activity.
• ECFMG APPLICATION FEES OF $570.00
Fees include the $370.00 regular application fee + $200.00 for change of category case review and preparation. Required method of payment is
on-line through ECFMG’s OASIS.
• DOS FEE OF $367.00
This fee is separate from any and all ECFMG fees. This fee should be paid to ECFMG through a payment in the nancial account summary section of
OASIS. ECFMG will, in turn, submit payment to DOS on behalf of the applicant.
• PROOF OF SEVIS PAYMENT (I.E., RECEIPT)
» The $220.00 SEVIS fee must be paid for every change of category request, even if paid previously upon original entry to the U.S.
» The fee is payable on-line at www.fmjfee.com; a printable receipt will be immediately available upon payment.
» Information from the current (i.e., research) Form DS-2019 must be used to complete payment, including the Program ID and category
(i.e., research scholar).
All required documentation must be uploaded by the TPL and/or applicant through EVNet or OASIS at the time of application to
ECFMG. Upon receipt and review of all above-listed documentation and fees, ECFMG will determine an individual’s eligibility to
request a COC through the DOS. As individual circumstances vary, additional documentation may also be requested.
Request for a Change of J-1 Visa Category
MEMO
Copyright © 2021, 2023 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®). All rights reserved.
February 10, 2023
Page 2 of 2
Please note the following with respect to the
change of category process and requirements:
• Applicants must maintain J-1 “research scholar” status while a change of category request is pending with the DOS; there is no provisional status
while a case is pending.
• The DOS reserves up to 60 days for review of and decision of all change of category requests.
• ECFMG is unlikely to receive status updates while a case is pending with the DOS; generally, ECFMG will be notied only when a decision has
been reached. Therefore, it is unnecessary to call/e-mail for status updates. Applicants and TPLs will be informed immediately once the DOS
provides ECFMG with notication of a case decision.
• The start date of an ECFMG-issued Form DS-2019 following DOS change of category approval is determined by the date ECFMG is authorized to
print the form, even if that date falls after the originally proposed start date. Forms cannot be backdated by ECFMG.
• If a change of visa category is approved, ECFMG sponsorship is limited to the specic training/time frame requested in the original request. Any
deviation from the original training plan, including subspecialty training, must be approved through formal request to and review by the DOS.
Please contact EVSP-suppor[email protected]
with questions about the change of category process.
