How a visa hold could deepen the US doctor shortage this residency season
A recent visa appointment freeze by the Trump administration has placed hundreds of international medical graduates (IMGs) in uncertainty, just weeks before many are expected to begin US residency programs.
The pause affects all new visa appointments, leaving many newly-matched doctors at risk of missing their start dates.
The freeze, aimed at revising vetting procedures to include social media checks, was announced by the US State Department. According to Forbes, this sudden halt impacts thousands of students, teachers, and exchange visitors. However, IMGs are particularly vulnerable, as most US medical residencies begin in July and require interns to be present in June for orientation.
Residency programs depend on foreign-trained doctors
According to the American Medical Association, about 25% of practicing doctors in the US were educated in foreign medical schools. These IMGs are required to complete a US residency before receiving a license to practice. In March's 'main residency match,' 37,677 medical graduates were placed into first-year jobs, of which 6,653 were foreign-born graduates of non-US medical schools, based on data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), as reported by Forbes.
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An additional 3,108 matched graduates were US citizens who studied abroad.
The visa freeze affects the J-1 visa, which is commonly issued to IMGs for training and education purposes. While many have secured their visa appointments, an estimated 5%—over 300 incoming doctors—have not, said Zain Abdin, a Chicago-based physician and IMG, as quoted by Forbes. These doctors now face the risk of missing the start of their training.
A pause with real consequences
Hospitals rely heavily on interns—first-year residents—to provide supervised patient care. Missing even a few weeks of training can put IMG positions at risk, and leave hospitals understaffed. According to Forbes, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), which supports IMGs, is seeking an exception for physicians during the freeze. The ECFMG also warned current residents not to leave the country, as re-entry could be denied during the pause.
Some IMGs have spoken out about their concerns. 'We are stuck and we are helpless,' said one IMG matched to a Texas medical center, in a message to Sebastian Arruarana, a resident physician and social media influencer focused on IMG issues, as quoted by Forbes. Their orientation had already started in early June. Another newly matched resident said, 'I just got matched on May 23 after so many challenges and against all odds,' but had yet to secure a visa appointment.
Some states may be hit harder than others
While large states like New York and Florida received the most foreign medical residents this year—1,592 and 698 respectively, according to NRMP data reported by Forbes—smaller, rural states rely on IMGs even more. In states like North Dakota, Wyoming, and Arkansas, IMGs made up 38%, 33%, and 32% of incoming residents respectively.
As the visa freeze continues with no confirmed end date, hospitals and foreign doctors are left in a holding pattern, with serious consequences for patient care and the US medical system.
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