The U.S. immigration medical exam, notably the Green Card, is necessary for the U.S. visa application process. According to U.S. immigration law, Green Card applicants must complete a medical exam to verify they are in good health conditions to live in the U.S. permanently.
What is U.S. Immigration Medical Exam?
The U.S. Immigration Medical Exam or U.S. Immigration Medical Test is necessary for the U.S. immigration process. You need the certificate of being healthy to receive the Greed Card. A doctor authorized by the government will take the test, and it includes:
- Applicant’s mental and physical examination
- Review over medical history, immunization, and vaccine record
- Screening for drug and alcohol
- Checking for different types of illnesses and diseases
USCIS-Authorized Doctors
A USCIS-authorized doctor (a civil surgeon) must perform the U.S. Immigration Medical Exam. Dr. Amir Nicknam is a USCIS-authorized civil surgeon who can conduct this exam at Southern Nevada Occupational Health Center. If you have difficulties locating one in your area, visit the USCIS website.
Why do you need to take the U.S. Immigration Medical Exam?
The USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) wants to protect the health and safety of U.S. citizens. So anyone who wants to apply for permanent Residency must pass the U.S. immigration medical exam. If you suffer from a health condition threatening the public, you may become ineligible to receive a permanent Residency and Green Card. The term gest is called “medical inadmissibility.”
What does medical inadmissibility include?
There are five main categories for medical inadmissibility and not receiving permanent Residency. You could fall into one of the following categories:
- Infectious diseases which might affect the public health
- Abuse of drugs or alcohol
- Physical or mental disorders leading to harmful behaviors,
- Not being able to work
- Incomplete vaccination record
How should you prepare for an Immigration Medical Exam in the U.S.?
The first step to taking the immigration medical exam in the U.S. for your application is to find a USCIS-Authorized Doctor. Not every doctor is eligible to perform the test. Do research carefully to know whether the center is authorized to conduct the test.
Southern Nevada Occupational Health Centre provides you with the U.S. immigration medical exam in Las Vegas and is authorized by the government to conduct it.
U.S. Immigration Medical Exam inside the country
There are two ways to schedule the Immigration medical exam inside the U.S.
Schedule the exam before you start the application process
It’s possible to start the medical exam before you begin applying for a Green card and permanent Residency. But if you receive the results before beginning the procedure, a civil surgeon must sign it within sixty days of filing your green card application. If the signing is before sixty days, you may not apply.
You must wait to submit the medical exam result after sending your green card application to the USCIS. You can also bring the form to the interview with you. If not, you need to repeat the U.S. Immigration medical exam.
Schedule the medical exam after you start your application process
After you begin the permanent Residency or green card application, you can submit your U.S. immigration medical exam result to the USCIS. You also have the option of bringing it to the interview session. When the doctor signs the documents, it’s valid for two years.
What should you bring to the Immigration Medical Exam?
The following requirements are required for the exam session:
- Vaccination records
- Medical history copy
- Copies of previous chest x-rays (if applicable)
- A letter from your physician or regular doctor explaining the treatment plans for any health situations you have.
- Necessary funds to pay the medical exam fees.*
- Health insurance card (if applicable)*
*Contact us to check the payment options and know the accepted insurances before your appointment. If any other documents are required, we will inform you to bring them.
Form I-693
Form I-693, officially named “Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record,” is required for the exam. The doctor provides the result of the exam in this document.
Most doctors provide a copy of the form, but you must bring your copy. Ensure you have the latest updated version of the document.
What is checked during the U.S. Immigration Medical Exam?
The test includes the following tests and screens:
A tuberculosis test
The CDC requires the applicant to pass an “interferon-gamma release assay” (IGRA) test for all two years old and older applicants. If the test indicates that you suffer from T.B., a further chest x-ray is necessary.
Vaccination screening
CDC and Immigration and Nationality Act requires applicants to have received certain vaccines:
- Mumps, Measles, and Rubella
- Diphtheria toxoids and tetanus
- Polio
- Pertussis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenzae Type B
- Influenza
- Varicella
- Pneumococcal Pneumonia
- Meningococcal
- Rotavirus
Medical history review
The authorized doctor will check your medical background and partially check the following:
- Hospital visits and critical medical events in your background.
- Being disabled for a period of time or severely sick and unable to work like an average person in society.
- Visits to an institution over the chronic mental or physical condition
Physical exam
The doctor will examine the following parts of your body:
- Ears
- Eyes
- Throat
- Nose
- Heart
- Lungs
- Extremities
- Abdomen
- Skin
- Lymph nodes
- External genitalia
A blood test and chest x-ray will also be conducted. If you are expecting, ask to postpone the medical exam session.
Mental exam
The doctor will examine the mental health of the applicant and evaluate the following:
- Intelligence
- Judgment
- Mood
- Behavior
- Comprehension
What the doctor is looking for, especially in the applicants, is:
- Current physical or mental disorders are connected with dangerous or violent behavior.
- Current physical or mental disorders are connected with dangerous or violent behavior that might happen again.
You will become inadmissible if the two options are actual for the applicant.
Drug and alcohol screening
The verified doctor will also check any prescribed medicine you take currently or in the past. The current and past alcohol usage will also be checked. If you are abusing any drug or alcohol, you will become inadmissible. Proof of recovery makes you eligible.
Blood and urine screening
If you are older than 15, a blood test to check syphilis and a urine test to check gonorrhea will be conducted. Remember that being inside or outside the U.S. doesn’t matter; the test will be shown.
U.S. immigration medical exam cost
The U.S. immigration medical exam cost is up to a few conditions and your case. However, it won’t exceed the regulations, and we will keep prices according to your budget. You need to contact us and provide a few details to inform you of the cost.
U.S. Immigration Medical Exam near me
When searching “Immigration Medical Exam near me,” your option is Southern Nevada Occupational Health Center. We have provided occupational health services to the residents of Las Vegas for +15 years now.
U.S. Immigration Medical Exam in Las Vegas
People who want to apply for a Permanent Residency or green card and need U.S. Immigration Medical Exam in Las Vegas can visit the Southern Nevada Occupational Health center. Dr. Amir Nicknam is the verified doctor who conducts the test and provides the result to submit to the USCIS.
Other widely used services of this center are: