Information for Foreign Medical Graduates

In addition to the basic application requirements, FMGs must have:

• Current Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification (ECFMG)
• Passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• If not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, must obtain a J-1 Clinical Visa. This is the ONLY visa accepted by the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
• Minimum of 3 months of either medical school clinical rotations or direct patient care experience in United States or Canadian hospitals. Direct patient care may include externships, but not observerships or pure clinical research.
• The above-mentioned direct patient care activity in the U.S. or Canada must be documented by a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation from U.S. or Canadian physicians who observed your clinical work and can comment on your academic, professional, and personal performance.