Statements of Need for Postgraduate Training in the United States - Medical graduates currently enrolled in a Canadian specialty residency training program who wish to pursue a short-term elective or rotation [Category A ST].

Table of Contents

• Who is eligible?
• Do I need a J-1 Visa to undertake my short-term training?
• Which training programs are eligible?
• When do I submit my application?
• How long will my application take to process?
• What documents do I need to submit?
• Where do I submit my application?

Who is eligible?

Candidates in this category are currently enrolled in a Canadian postgraduate medical specialty residency training program and wish to pursue a short-term clinical elective or rotation of less than six months duration in the United States as part of their current residency training.

To be eligible the candidate must be:

a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident in Canada

and

currently enrolled in a Canadian postgraduate medical residency program

Do I need a J-1 Visa to undertake my short-term training?

Residents should first seek advice from both U.S. Immigration authorities and the training program to determine the actual need for the J-1 Visa.

Some U.S. universities have an institutional policy that requires visiting residents to obtain the J-1 Visa for short-term electives or rotations. Health Canada is presently aware that the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland, Baltimore have such a policy. The following universities have also recently requested that visiting residents obtain the J-1 Visa: University of Texas, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Advocate Christ Health Medical Center, the University of California Los Angeles & San Francisco & Davis, the University of Minnesota, Harvard University, the University of Miami, Florida State University, Stanford University, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, Yale University, the University of Washington, Lennox Hill Hospital and the Oregon Health and Science University.

Which training programs are eligible?

Eligible residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The training must be in a specialty recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

When do I submit my application?

As soon as possible and at least two months before the start date of the elective or rotation.

How long will my application take to process?

Please allow 30 working days to process an application and issue the Statement of Need. Every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, especially from March through May of each year. The Statement of Need, bearing the seal of the Canadian Federal Department of Health, is delivered directly to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). A copy of the signed Statement of Need is mailed by Canada Post to the applicant.

What documents do I need to submit?

Below is the list of documents that applicants enrolled in a specialty residency program who wish to pursue a short-term rotation or elective must submit in order to apply for a Statement of Need:

1. Application Form

Provide a signed application form.

Application Form for a Statement of Need (Category A)

Print the pdf form and fill it in, then submit it by mail, email, courier or fax to the Program Administrator (Health Canada).

2. Proof of Canadian Citizenship/Permanent Residency

Provide proof ¹ of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency by submitting a certified copy^* of one of the following documents:

• Canadian citizenship card
• Canadian Passport
• Record of birth
• Permanent Resident Card

3. Letter of Approval signed by your Dean or Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education

Procedure: Contact the Postgraduate Medical Education Office (PME) and request a letter in support of the proposed training, signed by the Dean or Associate Dean of PME and addressed to the Program Administrator, Health Canada. Send your request by e-mail with "Your Name, Statement of Need and J-1 Visa Request" in the subject line to the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, and include the following information:

• your name, address, phone number, e-mail
• your current residency/specialty program: what and when
• the location and type of short-term rotation or elective
• evidence of expected attendance at the training program
• the start and end dates of the rotation or elective

Upon approval of your request, the PME will send an e-mail to Health Canada with the Dean's letter as an attachment (and a copy of your request, as decided by PME).

4. Agreement from the US program.

An email from the U.S. clinical training program, or a copy of a letter of acceptance, or other written agreement for the short term training.

5. Curriculum Vitae

Provide your curriculum vitae in electronic format. Send by electronic mail to j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca with "Your Name, CV" in the subject line.

Notes

Where do I submit my application?

All the required documents listed above must be sent to the Program Administrator, Statement of Need Program, Health Human Resource Policy Division, Health Canada. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all required documents are submitted.

With the exception of certified and notarized documents, all the required documents listed above can be submitted to Health Canada by fax, email, mail or courier.

Certified and notarized documents must be sent by mail or courier.

See below for electronic mail, regular mail, facsimile and courier addresses:

Regular Mail
Program Administrator
Statement of Need / J-1 Visa Program
Health Human Resource Policy Division
Strategic Policy Branch, Health Canada
Jeanne Mance Building, Address Locator 1918C
200 Eglantine Driveway
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9

By Courier
Program Administrator
Statement of Need / J-1 Visa Program
Health Canada
200 Eglantine Driveway
Jeanne Mance Building, Address Locator 1918C
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Telephone: (613) 952 1912

By Facsimile
Program Administrator
Statement of Need Program
Health Human Resource Policy Division
Facsimile: 613-948-8081

By Electronic Mail
j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca
Subject: Application for Statement of Need, "Your Name"

If you have a question about the administration of your application, please contact the Program Administrator using the following email address: j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca or by calling 613- 952-1912.