UW departments that sponsor foreign medical graduates (FMGs) to participate in non-clinical programs must submit a patient care letter with the UW J Visa Request Form. Mandatory language is provided below.
Process
- The letter must be signed by the dean of the medical school or department chair.
- Provide the signed letter to ISO along with the signed J Visa Request and supporting documents.
- ISO will return the letter with the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
- Both the DS-2019 and the letter must be presented by the FMG to the U.S. consulate when applying for a J visa to enter the U.S.
No Patient Contact or Care
If no patient contact or care is involved in the FMG’s duties, the letter must state verbatim:
To Whom It May Concern:
This certifies that the program in which (name) is to be engaged is solely for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching, or research and that no element of patient care services is involved.
______________________________________________
Dean of the medical school or department chair signature
Incidental Patient Contact
If incidental patient contact is involved in the FMG’s duties, the letter must certify the following 5 points verbatim:
To Whom It May Concern:
- The program in which (name) will participate is predominantly involved with observation, consultation, teaching or research.
- Any incidental patient contact involving (name) will be under the direct supervision of a physician who is a U.S. citizen or resident alien and who is licensed to practice medicine in Washington State.
- (Name) will not be given final responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- Any activities of (name) will conform fully with licensing requirements and regulations for medical and health care professionals in Washington State.
- Any experience gained in this program will not be creditable toward any clinical requirements for medical specialty board certification.
______________________________________
Dean of the medical school or department chair
Public Health and Preventative Medicine Programs
If the FMG is coming to the UW to participate in a public health or preventive medicine program not involving any patient contact or care, the letter must state verbatim:
To Whom It May Concern:
This certifies that the program in which (name) is to be engaged does not include any clinical activities involving direct patient care.
______________________________________
Dean of the medical school or department chair
Internships, Residencies and Clinical Training
The only exchange program authorized to sponsor FMGs as J-1 exchange visitors for internships, residencies, specialized clinical training, and in other jobs involving more than incidental patient contact is the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). ECFMG discourages transfer to its program from nonclinical exchange programs sponsored by academic institutions.