International Student Resources

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine provides resources and information relating to visas, residency guidelines, and licensure requirements for prospective, admitted and current students. Please be aware that this information does not serve as individualized career or legal advice and each student is responsible for knowing the regulations for their individual country. The application of this information is both situation and student-dependent.

Consequently it is the responsibility of each student that is impacted by this information to contact the appropriate agencies and systems to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the requirements for his or her specific circumstances.

During your time at MSUCOM you must continuously maintain your F-1 visa status.

MSUCOM Resources for International Students

• Admissions - The Admissions team strongly encourages admitted international students to schedule an appointment with OISS as soon as they receive their admission decision.
  • Enrollment verification documentation for incoming students.
  • Facilitating Connections with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
  • Linking incoming students with international student ambassadors for support and guidance.
• Registrar's Office
  • Disruptions in enrollment (example: academic extension due to a failed course or COMLEX).
  • Enrollment verification documentation for enrolled students.
• Student Affairs
  • ​​​​​​​Financial need.
  • Connecting to the community.
• Wellness & Counseling
  • One-on-one counseling with a licensed counselor who works specifically with osteopathic students.
• Academic and Career Advising
  • International Graduate Mentors.
    • Connect with a mentor - If you'd like to speak with a recently matched MSUCOM graduate about the match process, obtaining a H1B or J1 visa, or any other questions related to international student career planning, please check out our international student mentors. 
  • Identifying residency programs that offer J1/H1B visa support.

University Resources for International Students

• Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
  • ​​​​​​​Maintaining visa status.
  • Any questions regarding visa.
  • Are there any financial resources or guidance available for international students?
    • OISS has funds to support students during their final semester in their program.
    • There are two emergency funds available through OISS as well as one scholarship listed on their website - click here to review.
• Resources Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Assistance with receiving accommodations in the classroom.
• English Language Center (ELC)
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Assistance with English as a second language resources.
• English Partners in Communication (EPIC)

Understanding the Visa Process

2025 International Student Session

Download Session Presentation

Visa Options

• F1 OPT Visa

  • An F-1 OPT visa covers your first postgraduate residency year. It is your responsibility to contact the MSU Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) to secure an F-1 OPT visa to cover your first postgraduate residency year.The F-1 OPT can be applied for and sent to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for adjudication 90 days before the completion date of your graduation requirements. For example, a student completes her studies on May 4th. The student can and should apply for the F-1 OPT any time after February 5th. The student can select an OPT start date anytime between May 5th and July 3rd (within 60 days of completion date OPT can start, but you can apply 90 days prior to completion. Consult with MSU's OISS before proceeding. This information is explained in the free D2L course all F-1 OPT applications must review prior to applying. Please follow this link for more information.

    • Optional Practical Training OPT for F-1 Students

    • Review the recent OPT presentation for MSUCOM from OISS

• H1B & J1 Visas

  • When using an F1 OPT visa for your first year of residency, you must obtain a visa prior to your second year of residency, which will allow you to continue working legally in the United States. Amongst the visas that may be available to you, two of the most commonly applied for include the J-1 visa and the H-1B visa. Regardless of which is obtained, it is your personal responsibility to remain in legal immigration status throughout your residency training while in the United States.

  • If a physician is a graduate of a US medical school, they do not need to be ECFMG certified or pass any of the USMLE exams to qualify for J-1 visa sponsorship. Please note that their D.O. degree must be recognized in their home country by the appropriate medical authority to qualify for J-1 Visa Sponsorship. 

To identify ACGME programs that offer H1B and/or J1 Visa, log in to the Residency Explorer and select the visa of interest in the Visas Accepted or Sponsored dropdown. Contact programs of interest to confirm visa availability. 

• Every ACGME hospital system handles the visa status of non-citizen resident candidates with its own unique procedures. Due to these important differences, you must contact the appropriate office for the most up-to-date information for that hospital system, as MSUCOM is not able to advise each student as to the dynamic processes adhered to by individual training programs.