PM&R Application Guide for International Medical Students

Contributors: Lisa D'Souza

Need to find answers to your questions about applying to PM&R? Check out our guide for IMG students! Don’t forget to listen to Dr. Eva Kubrova-Marek (IMG and Mayo-Rochester PM&R Graduate) give a fantastic talk for IMGs applying into PM&R.

Section 1: Visa Information 

Disclaimer: The information that is included in this section is based on information obtained from various resources. However, visa statuses of institutions are constantly changing and can be program-specific at the institutions even if other programs accept visas. Please use your best judgment when reading and applying the following information.

Below is a list of the PM&R programs that accept visas and the type that they accept. Typically, more programs accept the J-1 Visa than the H-1B Visa.

J-1 Visa: The Visitor Exchange Visa sponsored by the ECFMG

Requires holders to return to their home country for 2 years following their completion of training. However, there are many opportunities to obtain a waiver of the home country requirement.

H-1B Visa: Persons in Specialty Occupation sponsored by host institution

This requires completion of USMLE Step 3, and there is an annual limit on the number of visas approved annually.  Once you have been on a J-1 visa and have the 2-year requirement, you cannot transfer to an H-1B