journal
Journal For International Medical Graduates
Journal For International Medical Graduates
California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology
US
https://www.cibnp.com
2832-9864
192
Articles
Visa-Related Barriers for International Medical Graduates How Immigration Policies Derail Medical Careers
Summayya Anwar
Anwar
Summayya
summayaa.anwar@gmail.com
Hashim Al-Roubaie
Al-Roubaie
Hashim
doctorhashim12@gmail.com
Abhishek Thapa
Thapa
Abhishek
thap.abhi007@gmail.com
Anum Naimat
Naimat
Anum
anumvirk593@gmail.com
16
09
2025
Received: 1692025
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal For International Medical Graduates
2025
Journal For International Medical Graduates
International Medical Graduates
Emigration and Immigration
Health Policy
Physician Shortage
Rural Health Services
Workforce
[
Beayno A. Physicians on visas navigate immigration stress. Psychiatr News. 2025;60(3). doi:10.1176/appi.pn.2025.03.3.43
]
[
Ramos J, Aung PP. International medical graduates and the shortage of US pathologists: Challenges and opportunities. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2023;148(6):735-738. doi:10.5858/arpa.2022-0290-SA
]
[
Mackey TK, Liang BA. Rebalancing brain drain: Exploring resource reallocation to address health worker migration and promote global health. Health Policy. 2012;107(1):66-73.doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2012.05.015
]
[
Moazzam Z, Woldesenbet S, Munir MM, et al. Immigrant doctors and their role in US healthcare. J Gastrointest Surg. 2023;27(12):2724-2732. doi:10.1007/s11605-023-05719-4
]
[
Moyer DV, Erickson S, Opole IO. International medical graduates are integral to the delivery of patient care in the United States. Ann Intern Med. 2025;178(5):737-738. doi:10.7326/M24-1314
]
[
Whitford E. Visa pause could leave U.S. with fewer new doctors amid shortage. Forbes. Published June 3, 2025. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawhitford/2025/06/03/visa-pause-could-leave-us-with-fewer-new-doctors-amid-shortage/
]
[
American Medical Association. Advocacy in action: Clearing IMGs’ route to practice. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://www.ama-assn.org/education/international-medical-education/advocacy-action-clearing-imgs-route-practice
]
[
Asaad M. States allowing international doctors to practice in the United States without U.S. residency training. The Match Guy. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://thematchguy.com/state-img-license-practice-without-residency-international-doctors/
]
[
Medical Council of Canada. Pathways for international medical graduates. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/pathways-for-international-medical-graduates/
]
[
Eapen K, Varghese J. New visa rules for IMGs: Cutting through the confusion. BMJ. 2006;332(7550):s191.doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7550.s191
]
[
NBC News. Hundreds of international doctors due to start medical residencies are in visa limbo. Published July 2025. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/international-doctors-visa-problems-rcna213710
]
[
Khaled Almilaji. Wikipedia. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khaled_Almilaji&oldid=1302852649
]
[
Association of American Medical Colleges. U.S. physician workforce data dashboard. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/report/us-physician-workforce-data-dashboard
]
[
Association of American Medical Colleges. The complexities of physician supply and demand: Projections from 2021 to 2036. Published 2021. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://www.aamc.org/media/54681/download
]
[
Boniol M, Kunjumen T, Nair TS, Siyam A, Campbell J, Diallo K. The global health workforce stock and distribution in 2020 and 2030: A threat to equity and “universal” health coverage? BMJ Glob Health. 2022;7(6):e009316. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009316
]
[
American Medical Association. International medical graduates in American medicine: Contemporary challenges and opportunities. Chicago, IL: AMA; 2023.
]
[
Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). 2024 CaRMS Forum Report. Ottawa, ON: CaRMS; 2024.
]
[
European Commission. The EU Blue Card directive. Brussels: European Union; 2023. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/migration-and-asylum/legal-migration-and-integration/eu-blue-card_en
]
[
United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). Chapter 16: Temporary entry for business persons. 2020. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement
]