International Medical Graduates

Oct 14, 2025
2 min read

International medical graduates (IMGs) are physicians who have graduated from medical schools outside the country where they intend to practice medicine. The term specifically refers to doctors who obtained their primary medical qualification from a medical school located abroad relative to their destination country. IMGs can be either citizens or non-citizens of the country where they want to practice, but what defines them as IMGs is the location and accreditation status of their medical school, not their citizenship.

Definition and Terminology

IMGs are doctors who graduated from medical schools outside the country of intended medical practice.
The term IMG replaced the earlier term "foreign medical graduate" (FMG), which is now less preferred because it may carry negative connotations.
The World Directory of Medical Schools typically lists accredited international medical schools.
There are also terms like "non-local medical graduate" used in countries with multiple licensing regions.
Use of consistent terminology is important for policy, research, and support interventions targeting IMGs.

IMG Status by Country Context

In the United States, graduates from Canadian medical schools are not considered IMGs, but U.S. citizens who graduate from foreign medical schools are.
IMGs generally must pass certification exams (like ECFMG for the U.S.) to be eligible for residency and practice.
Visa considerations such as J1 or H-1B visas are applicable for non-U.S. citizens seeking training in the U.S.

Challenges and Quality of Care

IMGs face challenges including certification exam pass rates, visa issues, and sometimes discrimination.
Despite challenges, studies found that patient outcomes under care by IMGs are comparable or sometimes better than those under U.S. medical graduates.
IMGs contribute significantly to the physician workforce in many countries like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

Pathways and Support

Countries have different registration and licensing pathways for IMGs; for example, Australia and Canada have specific programs for recognizing qualifications and enabling practice.
Professional bodies in various countries advocate for IMGs to address their unique needs and issues.