Process to request SoN from India

A new/updated SoN is required to apply for sponsorship continuation if any of the following criteria apply:

 • The applicant is proposing to enter a new subspecialty.

• The letter on file with EVSP will expire prior to or during the proposed training period.

• The letter on file with EVSP is institution-specific and a change in the host institution is proposed.

SoN letters are accepted in two ways—electronically OR by mail/courier service.

Regardless of submission method, per the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), all SoNs must:

• Be issued by the federal/central office of the applicant's country of most recent legal permanent residence

• Be issued on official Ministry of Health letterhead and addressed to ECFMG

• Exactly follow the prescribed wording outlined in the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §62.27

• Specify a need that exactly matches the name of the training specialty/subspecialty being pursued

• Contain the official stamp or seal of the issuing government and the dated signature of issuing official on the SoN

• Be issued in English; if not issued in English, a certified word-for-word English translation is required (again, please note that the SoN and any translation must follow regulatory prescribed language).

For applying for SoN from India while you are in the US:

Important links:

1. Consulate General of India, Houston link: https://cgihouston.gov.in/pages/Mjk,

2. Revised application format for issuance of SoN/ENC (SoN application form): https://main.mohfw.gov.in/newshighlights-79

3. Guidelines, and instructions for issuance of a statement of need certificate for medical doctors going abroad including the USA for pursuing higher studies: https://main.mohfw.gov.in/eventsandannouncements-0

- An original, official SoN issued directly from the Ministry of Health in the country of most recent legal permanent residence must be submitted directly to ECFMG.

- It is important to note that the source country for the SoN cannot be changed once an applicant acquires J-1 status. Any/all subsequent SoNs must be issued from the same source country.

- The application form for SoN from India can be downloaded from the above links. Please download the latest form, as it may change with time.

- After filling out the application form, it must be couriered to the nearest Consulate General of India for attestation if you are applying from the USA (steps mentioned below).

Steps/documents required for attestation of SoN application form from Consulate General of India:

1. Completed application form for Attestation of Surety Bond for Statement of Need (SoN) with one passport-size photo affixed in the box. (https://cgihouston.gov.in/public_files/assets/document/pdf/Misc_Form15.pdf)

2. Fill in all the information correctly. An incomplete application will be returned without service.

3. Two notarized copies of (Annexure 1 & Annexure A) - from the SoN application form

4. Applicant's valid Original passport and a photocopy of pages containing personal particulars (first three and last two pages).

5. Copy of valid Visa.

6. Copy of Proof of address (utility bill, driver's license, or lease agreement).

7. Notarized copy of the contract with the Hospital / Institute on the standard Agreement Form with a letter from the Program Director on the official letterhead with seal and contact telephone number.

8. Written Assurance form. (https://cgihouston.gov.in/public_files/assets/document/pdf/Microsoft_Word-WRITTENASSURANCE.pdf)

9. A copy of bio-data (CV) with address, telephone number, email address/fax number.

10. Fee $10 for Bio-data, $20 for Bond, and $2 for ICWF.

11. Fee is to be paid by Cashier's check or money order drawn only in favor of "Consulate General of India". There should be a separate cashier's check or money order for ICWF Fee. Cash payment is also accepted at the counter of the Consulate. Applicants are requested to come with exact change for efficient services.

12. Personal checks, Debit cards, and Credit cards are not accepted.

 

The above documents must be mailed to the Consulate General of India (for example address for CGI Houston is "Consular Wing of the Consulate General of India, Houston at  4300 Scotland Street, Houston, Texas,77007").

Note:

• If the application is being sent by post please send a separate $20/- Cashier's check or money order fee for return mail. No prepaid envelopes are accepted.

• Fee is to be paid by Cashier's check or money order drawn only in favor of "Consulate General of India". There should be a separate cashier's check or money order for ICWF Fee. Cash payment is also accepted at the counter of the Consulate. Applicants are requested to come with EXACT CHANGE for efficient services. (CURRENCY NOTES ONLY. NO COINS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

• When applying by mail, please ensure to send original and one photocopy of specified supporting documents along with Miscellaneous Application Form and $20/- Cashier's check or money order fee for return mail. Note: Bank/credit card/mobile phone statements are not accepted as residence proof. In case the Consulate receives applications with incomplete documentation, the same would be sent back unprocessed using the postal charges sent along with the application.

• Fees: When applying by mail, specified fees must be paid only as Money order/Cashier's check drawn in favor of "Consulate General of India". All fees specified and the payment of an additional fee of $2.00 (Two Only) towards the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) must be drawn in a separate  Money order/Cashier's check. ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. PERSONAL CHEQUES, CREDIT CARDS, DEBIT CARDS, OR OTHER BANKING INSTRUMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED

• For any queries relating to the Miscellaneous Services, you may send an email to info.houston@mea.gov.in

After receiving an attested SoN application form, please follow the instructions on the guidelines for the application (please refer to the latest guidelines, these are the latest guidelines from the MoH website as of July 2022):

 • For the issue of SON Certificate or ENC, the applicants are required to apply in prescribed Application proforma per ANNEX — A, along with the following documents:

a. Copy  of offer letter received from the concerned foreign University/institution (self-attested)

b. Copy of self-attested valid INDIAN PASSPORT (excluding the blank pages)

c. Copy of self-attested valid VISA in connection with applicant's present stay in the foreign country.

d. Copy/Copies of self-attested Statement of Need (SoN) certificate(s) earlier issued to / received by the applicant.

e. SURETY BOND in original, along with two Sureties. 

Instructions for Sureties and Procedure for execution of Surety Bond:

-The applicants staying abroad or applying from abroad shall sign the Surety Bond on plain paper and get it attested from the concerned Indian Consulate abroad (as mentioned above).

-The Surety Bond signed by the applicant and attested by the Indian Consulate, should then be signed by the Sureties in India (as mentioned below). 

-There will be two sureties, out of which one will be a close relative (who is a citizen of India and based in India) and another one should not be a relative to the applicant, both with sufficient financial standing.

a. The first Surety will be a close relative (who is a citizen of India and based in India) to the Obligor. The first Surety will furnish information in respect of himself/herself as in the proforma as per ANNEX — C.

b. The second Surety will not be a relative to the applicant and is required to furnish information in respect of himself/herself in the proforma as per ANNEX — D.

c. The sureties must be filing ITR for three consecutive years on the previous occasions including the current accounting year.

- The first Surety will be responsible for payment of the bond amount including interest, if any, in case the candidate defaults on any of the conditions mentioned in the Bond. If the first Surety fails to make payment, the second Surety will be liable to make payment.

- For issuance of SoN certificate, applicants shall be required to execute a Surety bond of Rs. 10 Lakhs (Rupees Ten Lakh only) on a non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.100/- (Rupees One Hundred only).

- The Surety Bond should then be stamped in India by depositing the requisite amount and attested by either the Area Sub-Divisional Magistrate or the Notary Public in India.

Note:

-Application, along with all requisite information/documents (Original or Copy —as applicable), to be sent to "The Under Secretary (IC), International Cooperation Section, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Department of Health &Family Welfare), Room No.504, 'D' Wing, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi - 110011".

-Once the application with the above-mentioned supporting documents is completed and mailed to the MoH with the Surety bond, and processed by the MoH, the SoN will be issued to ECFMG.