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J-1 Initial Validations
Arrival and Reporting of
Initial J-1 Physicians
Copyright © 2016 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. All rights reserved.
What is Validation of Initial Arrival?
• ECFMG, as J-1 program sponsor, must notify the U.S.
Department of State of the arrival of all newlysponsored J-1 exchange visitors
• ECFMG confirms each J-1’s arrival in SEVIS
• Specific documents evidencing arrival in J-1 status
are required before a SEVIS record can be validated
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Who Needs to be Validated?
• All foreign national physicians who have newly
acquired J-1 visa status
• Foreign national physicians continuing under ECFMG
sponsorship in the same or a different training
program DO NOT need to be validated in SEVIS
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Validation of Arrival
• Upon arrival to the training program, a J-1 physician
must provide the TPL with evidence of J-1 visa status
• Evidence of J-1 status includes copies of:
• J-1 visa stamp in passport issued by U.S. Consulate, unless
a Canadian citizen
• J-1; D/S (Duration of Status) on I-94 card
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Visa Stamp Issued by U.S. Consulate
*Entry Document Only*
Confirms
• Visa type/class
• Number of entries
o Single or multiple
• Issue date
• Expiration date for entry
*May expire while in the United States
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
Upon arrival to air and sea ports of entry to the United
States, foreign visitors are no longer issued paper I-94
cards*.
• Electronic arrival/departure record can be obtained at
www.cbp.gov/I94
• Land ports of entry will still issue paper I-94 cards
*Stamp
is still placed in the passport.
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Automated I-94 Example
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Paper Form I-94
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Example of Admission Stamp
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Exceptions to Visa Issuance
• Citizens of Canada are not required to have a U.S.
Consulate visa stamp
• J-1 exchange visitors who change status within the
United States through U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) will have a Form I-797,
“Notice of Action” (not a J-1 visa stamp in passport)
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Form I-797
Approval Notice
(CoS to J-1)
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
What to Upload for SEVIS Validation
• Completed and program-signed Initial Validation form
– http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/arrival.pdf
• Copy of I-94 Arrival / Departure Record
– Physician must print copy www.cbp.gov/I94
– J-1s entering by land port of entry will be issued paper I-94 card
• Copy of I-797 (for change of status applicants only)
• Copy of J-1 Visa
– n/a for Canadian citizens or change of status applicants
Documents must be uploaded to EVNet (TPL) or OASIS (J-1 Physician)
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
EVNet Search for
Validated/Non-Validated Physicians
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Validations
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Non-Validated Physicians
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Initial Applicants Facing Delays
Communicate with EVSP!
• Is the contract still valid?
• Program willing to wait? If so, how long?
• Visa delayed or denied?
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Applying for a SS Number
• Before applying for a SSN J-1 physicians must:
– Wait 10 days after the U.S. in J-1 status (or approval to J-1 status by
USCIS); AND
– Confirm Validation by ECFMG of the SEVIS record
• Applying for a SSN prior to SEVIS validation may
cause significant delays in issuance of the SSN
• J-1 applicants are informed of this in the “Welcome
Letter” ECFMG emails to them upon issuance of
the initial DS-2019 form
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Role of TPL
• Communication with J-1s
– Frequency
– Topic
– Method
• Communication with Program Coordinators &
Program Directors
– When and why to notify the TPL
• J-1 Regulations
– When to refer questions to EVSP
• Cross cultural activities
– Regulatory requirement
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Cross Cultural Activities
Definition An activity designed to promote exposure and interchange
between the exchange visitors and Americans so as to increase their
understanding of each other’s society, culture and institutions.
Examples
• Family picnics
• Excursions to local amusement parks, sporting events, concerts,
museums or community events
• Celebrations for U.S. holidays (i.e., Thanksgiving, Fourth of July)
• Gatherings for physicians / families to share and compare their cultures
• Outings to local restaurants or “pot luck” dinners featuring foods from
different cultures
• Departmental luncheons, happy hours, or other social events
• Academic conferences
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Required Reporting
• Arrival / Delays
– Within 30 days of SEVIS start date
• Proposed Changes to Approved Training Plan
–
–
–
–
Leave of absence
Remedial training
Resignation or termination
Gaps in training (i.e. licensure, delay)
• Legal Concerns
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Travel Outside the U.S.
• EVSP Travel Information
http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/travel-index.html
• Request for Duplicate Form DS-2019
http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/ds2019dup.pdf
• Re-entry to the U.S. as a J-1 requires:
– Travel validated DS-2019 Form
– J-1 visa in passport as issued by U.S. Consulate*
* Except for Canadian citizens
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.
Questions?
(215) 823-2121
[email protected]
Copyright © 2016 by ECFMG. All rights reserved.