In short: The 2026 Main Residency Match, released March 20, 2026, was the largest on record, and it split IMGs in two. U.S. citizen IMGs matched at 70.0%, their highest rate on record. Non-U.S. citizen IMGs matched at 56.4%, their lowest in five years, and those who need visa sponsorship matched at 54.4%.
2026 match rates by applicant type
| Applicant type | Active applicants | Matched to PGY-1 | Change from 2025 | Placed after SOAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. MD seniors | 20,934 | 93.5% | No change | 97.8% |
| U.S. DO seniors | 8,503 | 93.2% | +0.6 points | 98.5% |
| U.S. citizen IMGs | 4,210 | 70.0% | +2.2 points | 77.8% |
| Non-U.S. citizen IMGs | 11,944 | 56.4% | −1.6 points | 59.9% |
| All active applicants | 48,050 | 79.8% | No change | 84.7% |
What the numbers mean for non-U.S. IMGs
- More applicants, barely more matches. 11,944 non-U.S. IMGs certified rank order lists, 479 more than in 2025, but only 80 more matched (6,733 in all).
- Visa status made a big difference. Non-U.S. IMGs who needed visa sponsorship matched at 54.4%, a five-year low; the high for this group was 59.1% in 2023. Foreign-born IMGs who are U.S. permanent residents matched at 67.9%, a five-year high.
- Your share of the seats. Non-U.S. IMGs filled 16.4% of PGY-1 positions, and U.S. IMGs 7.2%.
What the numbers mean for U.S. citizen IMGs
Fewer U.S. citizen IMGs applied (4,210, down 377) and 2,949 matched, but the match rate rose to 70.0%, a record. After SOAP, 77.8% had a position.
Where the positions are
- Internal medicine: 11,632 positions, 95.2% filled, down 1.6 points.
- Family medicine: 5,491 positions, 83.6% filled, leaving 899 unfilled before SOAP.
- Pediatrics: 3,185 positions, 94.4% filled.
- Emergency medicine: 3,198 positions, 95.6% filled, down 2.3 points.
- Psychiatry: 2,516 positions, 97.4% filled; unfilled positions rose from 8 to 65.
See every specialty with open positions in unfilled residency positions by specialty: 2026 Match data.
What to do now for the 2027 Match
- Know the 2027 dates. Standard NRMP registration runs until January 29, 2027. Rank order lists open February 1 and must be certified by March 3, 2027, at 9 p.m. ET. Match Week runs March 15 to 19, and Match Day is Friday, March 19, 2027.
- Finish ECFMG requirements by March 3, 2027. IMGs must meet ECFMG's verification requirements by the rank order list deadline to take part in the Match.
- Use real score data. Check the NRMP's Charting Outcomes reports for non-U.S. IMGs and U.S. IMGs (July 2026) for your specialty instead of averages quoted on social media.
- If you need a visa, filter your list first. Confirm on each program's own website that it sponsors the visa you need before you spend an application on it.
- Rank in true order of preference. The NRMP advises ranking programs in the order you actually prefer them, not where you think you will match.
- Prepare for SOAP before Match Week. Read the NRMP's SOAP rules and have your documents ready, so a Monday surprise does not cost you the week.
For last year’s results, see 2025 NRMP Match results: what they mean for IMGs.
How MedRise can help
MedRise offers CV advisory, interview coaching and the Residency Rescue Package for IMGs and reapplicants, and U.S. clinical observerships in South Texas. You can start with a free 10-minute call.
Frequently asked questions
Did IMGs match at a higher rate in 2026?
It depends on citizenship. U.S. citizen IMGs rose to 70.0%, a record. Non-U.S. citizen IMGs fell to 56.4%, a five-year low.
Which specialty had the most unfilled positions in 2026?
Family medicine, with 899 positions unfilled after the matching algorithm ran, before SOAP.
When is Match Day 2027?
Friday, March 19, 2027. The rank order list certification deadline is March 3, 2027, at 9 p.m. ET.
Sources
- NRMP, Match by the Numbers: 2026 Main Residency Match (March 2026)
- NRMP news release on the 2026 Main Residency Match results (March 20, 2026)
- NRMP, 2026 Main Residency Match outcome reports (May 26, 2026)
- NRMP, Advance Data Tables: 2026 Main Residency Match (March 2026)
- NRMP, 2027 Main Residency Match applicant checklist
MedRise is not affiliated with the NRMP, ECFMG, Intealth, the AAMC or ERAS. Figures come from the NRMP's public reports and are for education only; check the NRMP for official data. This is not legal or immigration advice, and no outcome is promised.
