Why does immigration want my medical exam?

 Posted on August 19, 2020 in Immigration

Medical exams by an authorized physician are a key part of any application for an immigrant visa or green card. This is done to evaluate the applicant’s health-related inadmissibility grounds. During the medical exam, the doctor will make sure you have all the required vaccines and perform a physical exam. He or she will also review your test results and complete the required forms for the government. While many common ailments are not an issue for obtaining a green card, having a highly communicable disease or being a drug addict may pose a problem, for instance:

• Tuberculosis (active)
• Syphilis (infectious stage)
• Chancroid
• Gonorrhea
• Granuloma Inguinale
• Lymphogranuloma Venereum
• Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy, infectious)

You may also be denied your benefit if you do not have the required vaccines or if you have a mental disorder that may cause you to be harmful to yourself or others. This is why it’s important to bring your immunization record with you to your medical appointment. If you don’t have of the required vaccines, a medical professional can administer them unless it’s not medically needed.

In most adjustment of status cases, applicants will receive their medical exam (Form I-693) in a sealed envelope. It is crucial to not open the envelope! The results are to be opened by USCIS only. However, you should request a copy of the results as it is important for your records. The results are only valid for a limited period of time, so it is often best to have the medical exam after receiving the adjustment of status interview notice and before the interview. Medical exams must be filed with USCIS within 60 days after being issued and they are only valid for two years. Regardless if you are applying for an immigrant visa abroad or adjustment of status in the United States, remember that this is a normal part of the process and should not be cause for concern for most applicants.