J-1 Application Process

The University of Minnesota's ECFMG Training Program Liaisons (TPLs) will guide you through the J-1 visa application process via email and a detailed checklist.

Your J-1 application process starts when your program notifies the UMN TPL that you will be joining or continuing in the program for the coming academic year. After the program has confirmed you, the application process proceeds through these steps:

The TPL will contact you (via email from gme@umn.edu) with instructions and a link to the appropriate application checklist.
You will collect the documents and information outlined in the checklist, and submit them to the TPL (via email to gme@umn.edu).
Once ALL application documents are received, the TPL will initiate your online application in ECFMG's EVNet system, upload the supporting documents, and notify you by email of your next steps. Read more about ECFMG's online application system here.
You will log into your OASIS account to review your online application. You will complete all remaining required information and pay the administrative/application fee. Your application cannot proceed until you complete your online portion in OASIS.
ECFMG will review your application, working through the TPL to address any questions or gather any additional documents needed from you.
Once ECFMG has approved your application, they will create your DS-2019 and mail it directly to the TPL.
The TPL will notify you via email that the DS-2019 has arrived, and outline your next steps to receive it.

J-1 application timeframes

The earliest ECFMG can issue your DS-2019 is six months prior to your start date. In December, the TPL will email all continuing and known new UMN J-1 trainees to share application instructions (see Step 1 above). New residents matching via the national Match Day in March will receive their instructions via email during the first week in April.

If you have a J-2 spouse dependent who is working, it is very important that you submit your J-1 and J-2 dependent application to the TPL as soon as possible. Please note that for those J-2 dependents who need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, the renewal process for the EAD card is lengthy and can take up to 6 months.

Average J-1 application processing times

Standard applications (for ACGME-accredited programs):

4-6 weeks (during the busy season--April, May, June, July)
2-4 weeks (during the non-busy season)

Non-standard applications (for non-accredited programs and any applications requiring Department of State review):

6+ weeks (during the busy season--April, May, June, July)
4-6 weeks (during the non-busy season)

Please submit your application materials early to avoid processing delays!

Application checklists

When contacting you to initiate your J-1 application, the TPL will direct you to the checklist that fits your specific situation:

Initial J-1 applicant checklists

Trainees who are not currently sponsored on a J-1 visa of any type will complete an Initial J-1 application:

Checklist for initial J-1 applicants entering an ACGME-accredited program
Checklist for initial J-1 applicants entering a program NOT accredited by ACGME

Trainees who are currently sponsored on a J-1 Research Scholar visa will complete an Initial Change-of-Category J-1 application:

Checklist for initial change-of-category J-1 applicants entering an ACGME-accredited program
Checklist for initial change-of-category J-1 applicants entering a program NOT accredited by ACGME

Continuing J-1 applicant checklists

Trainees who are currently sponsored as J-1 Alien Physicians will complete a Continuing J-1 application:

Other applications

Other applications that can be submitted to ECFMG for J-1 sponsorship are: