Visas

Lets talk about visa issues first, as in my opinion having a visa Vs citizen/Green card holder does make a difference to your chances. Most of IMGs are going to be on a H1B or a J1 visa.
As you might know, H1B is like a work permit, which can be held for a maximum of 6 years. You are pretty much tied to an institution whichever is employing you. You apply for H1 when you change employer.
On the other hand ...with J1 you can stay for 7 years, and then either you serve a underprivileged area in US for 2 years or... go back to your home country. And you have to renew it every year (which is a pain, as I see a few of my colleagues do that)


In terms of Fellowship opportunities, a good chunk of programs do not offer H1 visas ( its their policy,as they say!. Bottomline ...they dont want to go through the paperwork , and spend money on it). But there are many good programs which still offer H1. (I will post a list of H1 programs for each specialty later). Another reason some programs say...they dont like H1 ..is because they cant apply for NIH funding with H1. This would be true for research oriented specialties like Immunology, Rheum and Endo.


For J1...you have more places accepting it than H1. Chances of getting an interview may be slightly better than H1.If you are a person willing to change your visa to J1 from a H1, then try to mention that clearly in the ERAS application. (This would suit someone wanting to go back to home country after training )


Apart from the last option...visa issue at this stage is a non modifiable thing ....and we have to try the best with what we have.People have done it in the past...and so can you!


have a look at this link for some more idea on H1( not pertaining to fellowship).