Dear Applicant and Family,
For 25 years, Residents Medical (RM) has been the nation’s trusted expert in helping International Medical Graduates (IMGs) achieve residency and fellowship in the United States. We have guided thousands of IMGs through the toughest cycles, standing as a stalwart and advocate when others turned away.
During COVID, when the world was locked down and hospitals were in crisis, RM helped more IMGs achieve residency than ever before. Our IMG cohorts risked their lives on the frontlines in New York, Florida, and beyond. They stepped in when no one else would, and we worked tirelessly to secure visas so they could serve the patients who needed them most.
This year, the challenges are different but just as urgent. After speaking with Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs) and Program Directors nationwide, one truth is clear: most programs will filter out applicants needing visas. The bottom line: just because a program’s website says “visa sponsorship available” does not mean it will sponsor in this cycle. In fact, H-1 visas, the most sought-after, are effectively frozen. No residency program will absorb a $100,000 sponsorship fee.
Yet there is hope. Programs will sponsor but only if you are positioned correctly. This comes down to relationships, advocacy, and being known. You must show not only why you deserve a chance, but why you are the solution to their residency bottleneck. Remember, only 50% of IMGs achieve residency compared to 95% of U.S. graduates. The odds are stacked, but with RM the odds change.
Here is why RM is uniquely positioned to help:
- RM is the sole expert dedicated to guiding international medical graduates into visa-friendly residency programs.
- We don’t just guide; we create and manage our own residency and fellowship programs.
- RM hires qualified J-1 visa candidates into the programs we start, because we support community-based hospitals that need resident retention post-graduation.
- We understand the residency bottleneck better than anyone and have proven solutions year after year.
This is a letter of hope and clarity: while others may be anxious, RM is leading the way forward. We know how to navigate the hidden doors in this cycle. America still needs good doctors, and IMGs remain an essential part of that story.
In chaos lies opportunity. RM is that opportunity. Approach this cycle with grit, determination, and a never-give-up attitude.
Rooting for you always,
Dr. Michael Everest
Chairman,
Residents Medical
