As a result of the H-1B crisis, the USIA has authorized ECFMG to reinstate and extend the valid program status of foreign medical graduates who have received a waiver of their two-year home residency requirement and are awaiting adjudication of their H-1B application. The extension may be granted for only as long as it takes the exchange visitor to take examinations required by the American Board of Medical Specialties, but no more than six months.

In order to qualify for the extension, the Foreign Medical Graduate must present evidence that he or she has registered for the AMBS examination, has the funds to support themselves and any dependents, and has health insurance that meets USIA requirements.

The foreign medical graduate is not authorized to work during the period of the extension, and this must be noted on their IAP-66. Also, ECFMG is required to supply the USIA with a list of all Foreign Medical Graduates so sponsored, including the following information: the name of the alien physician, their ECFMG number, the duration of their extension, the date of reinstatement, and the name and date of the specialty examination for which they have been allowed to stay.

This procedure will be authorized only until the H-1B cap is lifted.