Visa Guidance for GME Students & Residents

Jefferson Health sponsors H1B and J1 visas at its sole discretion for residents or fellows entering graduate medical, dental, and podiatric training programs in the Jefferson Abington, Jefferson Einstein, Jefferson New Jersey, Jefferson Northeast, Lehigh Valley, and Sidney Kimmel Medical College/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital programs.

Candidates who desire H1B visa sponsorship must express that desire at the time of the program application. Only graduate medical training program candidates with USMLE or COMLEX Step 3 passing results posted to the Electronic Residency Application Servic (ERAS), or other application portal, by February 1 prior to the start of the PGY 1 year will be eligible for consideration of H1B visa sponsorship. 

Candidates with F-1 student visa are expected to extend the F-1 visa through the PGY 1 year using the Optional Practical Training (OPT) year and must express the desire to be considered for H1B visa sponsorship at the time of program application. Candidates holding F-1 visas must successfully pass USMLE or COMLEX Step 3 before December 1st of the PGY 1 training year to be eligible for consideration of an H1B visa sponsorship.

Candidates applying to Jefferson Health dental or podiatry programs will be considered individually.

Jefferson Health will indicate to candidates in writing, prior to the Match, its desire to sponsor an H1B visa or J-1 visa. Candidates must not construe verbal communication as evidence of Jefferson Health's desire to sponsor any visa.