International Medical Graduates

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IMGs in the United States

Below is a profile of the IMG population and significant dates in U.S. immigration policy affecting IMGs. Additional information is also available in IMGs in the U.S. Physician Workforce Discussion Paper- 2008 edition (PDF). This document provides information on  IMG workforce related issues including: the role of IMGs in the U.S. physician workforce, statistics on IMGs, IMG contributions to the delivery of health care in the U.S. and much more. Additional information on IMG workforce issues is also available in a slide presentation (PDF) given by Nyapati R. Rao, MD, MS in June 2007.

Profile of the IMG population

  • In 2006, out of 902,053 physicians, 228,665 IMGs received medical degrees from 127 different countries, accounting for 25.3% of the total physician count.
  • IMGs make up approximately 25% of the U.S. physician population.
  • The heaviest concentration of IMGs is in New Jersey (44.8% of doctors); New York (41.9%);  Florida (36%); and Illinois (34%).
  • The largest national group is from India (19.9% of total). 
  • Among the top four primary specialties, the IMG population represents 36% of total physicians in internal medicine; 29% anesthesiology; 31.4% in psychiatry; and 28% in pediatrics.
  • The total physician population increased by 350,386 between 1970 and 1994 (or 104.9%), while IMGs accounted for over one fourth (27.8%) of this increase by gaining 97,359 physicians.
  • In this 24-year period, non-IMGs grew by 91.4%, while IMGs increased by 170.2%.
  • In 1980, IMGs accounted for 20.9% of the total physician count of 467,679, while that percent climbed to 22.6% of the total count of 684,414 physicians in 1994.

Significant dates in U.S. immigration policy affecting IMGs

  • 1933-1948 - European IMGs immigrate as refugees in relatively small numbers.
  • 1948 - Exchange visitor program lets IMGs train in the United States. Many stay.
  • 1956 - AMA and others create IMG-certification system; the ECFMG.
  • 1965 - Easily obtainable visas in some specialties attract Third World IMGs.
  • 1971 - IMGs get quicker job clearances for permanent residency status.
  • 1976 - Congress raises immigration barriers against IMGs.
  • 1980 - Federal study recommends IMG limits.
  • 1985 - Federal legislation proposed to cut off GME funding for IMGs. Fails.
  • 1990s - Steep rise in incoming IMGs attributed to breakup of Soviet Union, changes in licensing exam and new immigration laws.

IMGs by state
Demographic information of practicing IMGs by state.

IMGs and the AMA
AMA membership information related to International medical graduates.

Directory of ethnic medical associations
An extensive list of ethnic medical associations.