[Zein]

I always read "the J1 sponsored by ECFMG", is it obligatory to be sponsored by ECFMG? Can you sponsor yourself? (Doesn't sponsor mean "pay for"?)

If you are sponsored by ECFMG, you can't apply for a "No Objection" after your J1 ends..

And by the way, isn't a visa a solid document? What does "extend" the visa mean?

 

[lee-usmle]

No you cannot

You can sponsor yourself if you have a corporate business in USA! Many folks do that but not in the medical field.

In the medical field you need to get into residency. Residency programs do not deal with J1 visa applicants unless they are sponsored by the ECFMG.
So there's no way to do that only through the ECFMG.

Extension of the Visa means they extend their vailidity and postpone their expiry date, they'll stamp a new "solid" sticker on your passport.

 

[Zein]

Thanks a lot for your reply, I guess that means you will have to secure a fellowship early somehow to avoid the 2-year return, if you any info about that point then please tell me more

 

[DRFP]

To be clear, you cannot sponsor yourself.

You must have a Business, school or an Organization sponsor you.