2026 Match Rates: A Guide for International Medical Graduates
- IMG applicants accounted for approximately 23.6% of matched applicants in the 2026 Match.
- 59.9% of all IMG participants matched into a residency in 2026.
- Top medical specialties for matched IMGs included Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine.
- A competitive USMLE Step 2 CK score is a key factor for IMGs to match into their preferred residency specialty.
Match Day 2026 yielded strong results for international medical graduates (IMGs). According to the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP), the total number of all active applicants this year was 48,050. In the 2026 Match, U.S. citizen and non-U.S. citizen IMGs matched into a total of 9,682 first-year residency positions. Read on for more details about the 2026 medical residency match rates for IMGs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Who is an international medical graduate?
- Medical Residency Match Rates for IMGs
- Top Medical Specialties for Matched IMGs
- ECFMG Certification Requirements for IMGs
- USMLE Step 2 CK Scores for IMGs
- Frequently Asked Questions by IMGs
Who is an international medical graduate?
An international medical graduate, or IMG, is a physician who graduated from a medical school outside the U.S. or Canada. There are two types of IMGs:
- U.S. IMG: A U.S. citizen who has graduated from a medical school outside the United States.
- Non-U.S. IMG: An international medical school graduate who was not a U.S. citizen at the time of their graduation.
Note that non-U.S. citizens who graduated from medical schools in the U.S. or Canada are not considered IMGs.
To be eligible for the U.S. residency match, IMGs must first earn ECFMG® Certification. Following the Match, completing a U.S. residency program and passing the USMLE Step 3 are the final steps toward full state licensure.
Medical Residency Match Rates for IMGs
The table below showcases the first-year residency match rates for international medical graduates in 2026 compared to previous years.
| Match Year | Total Number of IMG Match Participants | Total Number of IMGs Matched Into a U.S. Residency | Percentage of All IMGs Matched Into a U.S. Residency |
| 2026 | 16,154 | 9,682 | 59.9% |
| 2025 | 16,052 | 9,761 | 60.8% |
| 2024 | 14,772 | 9,045 | 61.2% |
| 2023 | 13,432 | 8,388 | 62.4% |
| 2022 | 12,912 | 7,670 | 59.4% |
Source: ECFMG
Top Medical Specialties for Matched IMGs
The medical specialties with the highest percentage of first-year positions filled by U.S. IMGs and non-U.S. IMGs in 2026 are showcased below.
| Top Specialties for Matched U.S. IMGs | Top Specialties for Matched Non-U.S. IMGs |
| Internal Medicine – 1,060 matched | Internal Medicine – 3,448 matched |
| Family Medicine – 585 matched | Family Medicine – 962 matched |
| Emergency Medicine – 319 matched | Pediatrics – 682 matched |
Source: NRMP
ECFMG Certification Requirements for IMGs
To be eligible for a residency program in the U.S., IMGs must first apply for certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). There are three main requirements you must complete to qualify for ECFMG certification.
For more information about residency requirements for IMGs, check out our country-specific resources:
- How to Become a U.S. Doctor as an IMG From India
- How to Become a U.S. Doctor as an IMG From Saudi Arabia
- How to Become a U.S. Doctor as an IMG From Pakistan
USMLE Step 2 CK Scores for IMGs
Since USMLE Step 1 transitioned to pass/fail in 2022, Step 2 CK scores have factored more heavily into residency program admissions. In 2026, the average USMLE Step 2 CK score for IMGs that matched into their preferred residency specialties was 248 for non-U.S. IMGs and 236 for U.S. IMGs. For both U.S. and non-U.S. IMGs, those who matched to their preferred specialties generally had higher Step 2 CK scores than those who did not.
Some of the top medical specialties for which IMGs matched had the following Step 2 CK USMLE scores in 2026 based on data from the NRMP:
- Internal Medicine – U.S. IMGs: 237; Non-U.S. IMGs: 251
- Family Medicine – U.S. IMGs: 229; Non-U.S. IMGs: 230
- Pediatrics – U.S. IMGs: 236; Non-U.S. IMGs: 240
- Emergency Medicine – U.S. IMGs: 234; Non-U.S. IMGs: 243
[ READ NEXT: USMLE Scoring Guide ]
Frequently Asked Questions by IMGs
Below, we answer some common questions about the Match from IMGs.
Can international medical graduates do residency in the U.S.?
Yes, qualified IMGs can complete a residency in the U.S. For more information about finding a residency that’s right for you, visit the AMA Toolkit.
What is the match rate for international medical graduates?
In 2026, the medical residency match rate for all international medical graduates was 59.9%.
How difficult is it to match into residency as an international medical graduate?
Matching into a U.S. residency is a very competitive process, regardless of where you graduated from medical school. However, IMGs continue to show a strong performance in the Match.
In 2026, U.S. IMGs who submitted rank order lists of programs matched to a PGY-1 position at a rate of 70% and non-U.S. citizen IMGs who submitted rank order lists matched to a PGY-1 position at a rate of 56.4%.
What is the hardest residency to match into as an IMG?
In general, the hardest residencies for IMGs to match into are the surgical ones, such as plastic surgery and orthopedic surgery, since they are the most sought-after and competitive.
What is the easiest residency to match into as an IMG?
Primary care specialties, such as Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, as well as Pathology and Neurology, consistently offer a higher total volume of positions and higher match rates for IMGs compared to surgical specialties.
Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Shannon Magee, Executive Director, Medical Programs at Kaplan North America.
