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In medical education, a clerkship refers to the practice of medicine by medical students during their later year(s) of study. Traditionally, the first half of medical school trains students in the classroom setting, and the second half takes place in a teaching hospital. Medical clerkships give students experience in all parts of the hospital setting, including the operating room, emergency department and various other departments that allow learning by viewing and doing. The intent of the clinical clerkship is to teach the medical student the fundamentals of clinical examination, evaluation, and care provision, and to enable the student to select the course of further study. Another purpose of the clerkship is for the student to determine if they really want to pursue a career in the field of medicine.  

An Observership program is an informal shadowing experience that enables participants to watch procedures and surgeries and attend patient rounds and teaching conferences. Federal regulations prevent observers from having patient care responsibilities or involvement in any form of volunteer research.

Medical Clerkships

The FAM recognizes the use of the B-1 category for students pursuing a medical degree at a foreign institution, who are coming to the United States to engage in a required clerkship (unpaid). The use of the B-1 for this purpose is limited to medical students, and does not extend to alien physicians who have already completed medical school.

9 FAM 402.2-5(E)(3)(b)

b. Medical Clerkship: An alien who is studying at a foreign medical school and seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order to take an “elective clerkship” at a U.S. medical school’s hospital without remuneration from the hospital. The medical clerkship is only for medical students pursuing their normal third or fourth year internship in a U.S. medical school as part of a foreign medical school degree. (An “elective clerkship” affords practical experience and instructions in the various disciplines of medicine under the supervision and direction of faculty physicians at a U.S. medical school’s hospital as an approved part of the alien’s foreign medical school education. It does not apply to graduate medical training, which is restricted by INA 212(e) and normally requires a J-visa.)

The "medical clerkship" use of the B-1 is reserved for medical students. Students who have already graduated are not eligible to use the B-1 in this way. For example, foreign medical graduates might seek an externship to gain clinical experience in order to increase the likelihood of securing a medical residency in the United States. But if the individual has already graduated from his or her medical school abroad, he or she cannot use the B-1 for this purpose, since it does not constitute "an approved part of the alien's foreign medical school education."

Medical doctors coming to observe or consult with colleagues

Foreign medical doctors can obtain a B-1 visa to observe U.S. medical practices and consult with colleagues on latest techniques, provided no remuneration is received from a U.S. source and no patient care is involved. 

9 FAM 402.2-5(F)(3)

A medical doctor otherwise classifiable H1 as a member of a profession whose purpose for coming to the United States is to observe U.S. medical practices and consult with colleagues on latest techniques, provided no remuneration is received from a U.S. source and no patient care is involved. Failure to pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is irrelevant in such a case.

Contact Information For Medical Rotations/Observerships

Medical Student Rotations:

Office of Clerkship Administration 

Cindy Berry  or visit VSLO                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Non-Medical Students and Visitors (High School and Pre-Med Students):

Regulatory Affairs Department, TUH

  Anne McGettigan, 215-707-7766

 

Affiliate International Medical Students (Refer to International Affiliates List):

Office of Clerkship Administration

  Ellen Johnson, 215-707-7190

  or

Post-Graduate Clinical Rotators (Residents/Fellows from an Accredited Training Program):

Graduate Medical Education Department, TUH    

Angela Daniel              

Physicians from another organization:

Regulatory Compliance Department, TUH

Anne McGettigan    215-707-7766        

Other:         Written Request from the Chair and Department Section Chief addressed to Susan Coull

                          Request Letters must be sent to Lioudmila Cruz, Director of GME

For electives/ observership, the B1 visa is permitted by the State Department. However, remember that this is not always the case. There have been applicants who have been called into second screening during and immigration officers have questioned the validity of this visa class for electives. Be prepared to articulate, explain and show the immigration officer your intend is just for the electives (and you will not receive any remuneration for it). You may state that the State Department website has clearly permitted B1 holders to pursue electives in their FAM manual- the official guidelines to visa classes and process.

NOTE: Many immigration officers in the Custom and Border patrol are unaware of this.
 
The State Department website has the following information regarding the B1/B2 visa
 
B1: Business associates, travel for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention,
B2: tourism/recreation-non-scientific/business purpose.
 
The B1/B2 visa is usually issued together but it is advisable to Mention the B1 class when applying.
 
Important Tips:

  1. the B1/B2 visa class only permits you to stay for six months. Any rotation more than six months is not permitted under the B1/B2 visa class.
  2. All activities must be unpaid and you cannot receive any form of payment or work under this class of visa.
  3. It is advisable to stay less then six months at all times and extensions may be sought but may jeopardize your future travel to US.