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J-1 Physicians type 1 

The maximum length of time these physicians may remain in the U.S. is seven years. In certain situations, the period of stay can be extended beyond seven years if the applicant can show that "the country to which the alien will return at the end of such specialty education or training has an exceptional need for an individual trained in such specialty."

The organization that administers the J-1 paperwork for this kind of physician is the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, also known as the ECFMG. To qualify for this status, the applicant must demonstrate to the ECFMG the following:

1. She will attending an accredited medical school or health professional school.

2. She has passed either Part I and II of the NBME, Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE or the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in the Medical Sciences (FMGEMS).

3. She has competency in writing and speaking English.

4. She will be able to adapt to the educational and cultural environment of her training.

5. She has appropriate prior training that will enable to succeed in the U.S. program.

6. She will return to her home country upon the completion of her program.

7. Her home government has a need for physicians with the kinds of skills she will acquire while in the U.S.
   

The main disadvantage for physicians utilizing this program is that they will be subject to the two year residency requirement upon the completion of their program. That is, they will be required to return to the country of last residence and stay their for a period of two years. The purpose of this is so that the physician has the opportunity to share the knowledge and skills that she received while in the States. If the physician wants to stay in the U.S. for a longer period of time, in a different status, she will need to apply for a waiver of the two year residency requirement.