Are you planning to give an immigration medical exam? Then you better brace yourself for the Green card medical exam! As part of the visa process, you must undergo a physical examination, lab tests, and immunizations to ensure you are healthy and fit for admissIbility. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with all the information you need.
First things first,
Let’s talk about lab tests. The most common tests include screenings for tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea. However, the requirements for each test vary depending on your age. For example, you’ll need to take a tuberculosis test if you’re 2 years of age or older. And while there are two types of tuberculosis tests available, the QuantiFERON® TB Gold Test and the T-Spot® TB Test, they both require a blood sample. If you test positive for tuberculosis, you’ll need to have a chest x-ray for further evaluation.
Now,
let’s move on
To syphilis and gonorrhea tests. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 44, you’ll need to take a syphilis test. And if you’re between 18 and 24, you’ll need to take a gonorrhea test. Both of these tests require a blood sample and a urine sample, respectively.
In addition to lab tests,
you will also have to get vaccines against some 16 vaccine-preventable viral or
bacterial infections, including COVID-19, mumps, measles, rubella, polio,
tetanus, and diphtheria. However, the requirements for each vaccination vary
depending on your age. For example, if you’re 5 years of age or older, you’ll
need to complete the COVID-19 vaccination. And if you’re 11 years old or older,
you’ll also need to get the tetanus vaccine.
Now,
here’s some big news: If you are under 59 years of age, you are now required to
have the Hepatitis B vaccination.
The
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has certain
immunization requirements that must be met by applicants for immigration
benefits, including green card applications. The most commonly required
immunizations include:
COVID-19
vaccination: Applicants who are age 5 or older are required to
complete the COVID-19 vaccination. Depending on your age, you are
considered fully vaccinated if you have been given two doses of either the
Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19
vaccine. Currently, as on the date of writing this, a COVID-19 booster is not
required for the purpose of an immigration medical exam.
Tetanus
vaccine: A tetanus vaccination, such as the Tdap or the Td,
is needed if you are age 11 or older. It is recommended to have a tetanus
booster every 10 years. An individual who received a tetanus shot within the
past ten years is exempt from tetanus vaccination.
MMR
vaccine: The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles,
mumps, and rubella, is required for applicants aged 1 to 64 years. In addition
to getting the MMR vaccination, you can also meet the MMR vaccine requirement
if your MMR titers from a blood test are positive. Please note that the MMR
vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Varicella
vaccine: The varicella vaccine is required for applicants
who are age 1 or older. Besides getting the varicella vaccination, you can also
meet the varicella vaccine requirement if your varicella titer from a blood
test is positive or if you have a history of chicken pox. Please note that the
varicella vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Flu
shot: A flu shot is required for applicants who are six
months of age or older. It is only required during the flu season, which is
between October 1 and March 31 of the following year.
If you have already taken these immunizations and vaccinations,
please show the relevant documents to the Civil Surgeon when you go for your exam.
Currently, the results of your Exam will be valid for two years from the date the Civil Surgeon signed it. Further, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the temporary waiver of the requirement that a civil surgeon’s signature on Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, be dated no more than sixty days before the date it is accepted by USCIS. Pursuant to the extension, Form I-693 dated more than sixty days prior to USCIS acceptance will remain acceptable until March 31, 2023.
USCIS may change these requirements at any time. It is best to plan early for your Immigration Medical Exam and check with the USCIS government website as well for the most accurate information.
Immigration Medical exams play a crucial role in the process of obtaining certain adjustments of status, including Green Card, Permanent residency, and citizenship. These include a physical examination, lab tests, and immunizations to ensure that you are healthy and free of infectious diseases. But don’t fret, with a little preparation, the process can be a breeze.
You can write to us (support@easyime.com) and check the easyIME website for all the necessary help in the matter.
Are
you preparing to apply for a green card and wondering what to expect during the
mandatory medical examination? If so, we’ve got you covered! The United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-693 is an important
document that reports the results of your medical examination. In this blog,
we’ll take a closer look at what you need to know about the form and what to
expect during the examination.
First things first, let’s talk about the form itself. Only USCIS approved Civil Surgeons are authorized to submit information in Form I-693:
- The form must be completed in
blue or black ink.
- The form must be signed and
dated by the civil surgeon who performed the examination.
- The form must be sealed in an
envelope and signed across the seal by the civil surgeon.
- The sealed envelope must be
submitted where applicable, along with the appropriate immigration application
and fee.
Now,
onto the physical examination part. Here is what to expect from the medical examination:
- The Civil Surgeon will review your medical history and perform a physical examination.
- The Civil Surgeon will test for certain communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
- The civil surgeon may also administer vaccinations if needed.
- The civil surgeon will provide the results of the examination on Form I-693, as well as include information on vaccinations.
The CDC publishes the vaccination
requirements and immigration medical examination instructions (including a
detailed table listing all required vaccines) at www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html
But
here’s an interesting note: Form I-693 is currently valid for two years from
the date of the examination. This allows you to be ready for submission to USCIS,
when needed. Additionally, if you are found to have a communicable disease, you
may be barred from receiving a green card unless you can demonstrate that you
pose no risk to public health.
Your first reaction may be, “That sounds like a lot of hassle.” However, trust us when we tell you that all medical examinations are necessary for the process of obtaining a green card. Who knows? You may even learn about a health issue that was previously unknown to you. In most cases, communicable diseases are curable, and you can re-appear for your medical exams.
In conclusion, USCIS Form I-693 is a vital document that reports the results of your green card medical examination. The examination itself is a necessary step in the process and may even help you discover and address any health issues. Stay healthy, and good luck with your green card application!
You can write to us (support@easyime.com) and check the easyIME website for all the necessary help in the matter.
As you plan to appear for a green card medical examination, there are certain requirements to full fill. The medical exam is a routine process ensuring the safety of the citizens.
Do you know, certain significant health diseases can make you inadmissible to the immigration medical examination? The search and reach platform of easyIME can help you through the entire medical examination process.
Why is a green card medical exam important?
The green card medical exam under the USCIS doctors is to determine if the person is healthy to meet the admissibility standards of the country. The doctor should be USCIS-approved to perform the examination.
You will be inadmissible if during the green card medical examination any of these 4 medical conditions are found –
- Communicable disease
- Irrelevant proof of required vaccinations
- Drug addiction or abuse
- Harmful behavior due to physical or mental disorder of any kind
In most of the cases, the Doctor may advise you to undergo an appropriate treatment.
This medical examination is not a full physical test but only those specific to the immigration purpose. For consular applicants, the right time to schedule the medical exam is communicated by the National Visa Center.
Besides, the CDC also requires the green card applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The updated Form i 693, effective from October 1, 2021, accommodates the record of Covid Vaccination. The person is considered inadmissible during the immigration medical examination, if not fully vaccinated. The examining physician may have facilities to give you the required vaccinations, else may advise you to get the required vaccinations
Reasons you could fail the green card medical exam –
Similar to criminal record verification, complete medical exam verification is a must. Any person failing the medical examination is denied.
The top reasons that can make a person inadmissible to a country based on the green card medical exam are as follow –
- Vulnerability to public health:
The prime concern of any country is to ensure good health for its residents and permanent citizens. Thus, any possibility of danger to their health is one of the prime reasons for inadmissibility.
To ensure that health meets the minimum requirements of the country, the USCIS doctors examine you and prepare the i-693 form (record of medical examination and vaccination record). The result of the immigration medical exam is an important part of approving the Green Card decision.
- Risk to public safety:
If at any point, you are observed to be a threat to the safety of the permanent citizens and residents of the country, you will be denied entry. The results mainly depend on your immigration medical examination and also include:
- Violent or unpredictable public behavior
- Sudden loss of physical and mental stability
- Excessive social services or health demands:
You will be denied entry into the country if it is found that your health conditions or social services demand more than the average resident over a period of time. If you are under an excessive stress on health and social services, you may be inadmissible.
It is always recommended to appear for the medical exam after undergoing all required health treatments and vaccinations, to ensure your suitability to enter the country without any hassles, on a Residency card.
Do you have any more doubts about why you can fail a green card medical examination? You can write to us (support@easyime.com) check the easyIME website for all the necessary help in the matter.
Top States & Cities To Find USCIS Authorised Civil Surgeon for Immigration Medical Exam
California
Florida
Illinois
New York
- New York
- Buffalo
- Astoria
- Every year, more than 100,000 appointments are made from New York with green card doctors. Find affordable USCIS Doctors nearby you in NY, such as:
Texas
- Dallas
- Houston
- Austin
- USCIS designated Immigration Medical Doctors are located across Texas and neighbourhood, such as in:
Click here to Find Green Card Medical Exam Doctors Near you via Zipcode/City/Area
What Information do I need to submit to see the location of the Doctors’ office? and why ?
The Doctor office requires to know who is enquiring for an appointment. By submitting your Name, Contact info and Date of Birth, the Doctor office is able to better manage appointments, track bookings, provide necessary information to the doctors’ office and guide on the vaccinations that you need based on your age.
By sharing this information, you gain knowledge of how to get your Immigration Medical Exam done in the shortest possible time and visits. It streamlines the process and ensures a smooth experience for both the user and the medical facility.
If you have concerns about providing personal information, you can review the easyIME’s privacy policy to understand how your data is handled and protected.
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s update on AUG 17, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a new directive in Form I-693. The instructions from the update are to be obeyed for COVID-19 vaccination among immigration applicants and are effective as of October 1, 2021. Where vaccination against hepatitis A, polio & chickenpox are already required, immigrants to the U.S. now should indicate they are immunized against COVID19 as part of a clinical test.
For Immigration Applicants,
People applying
for permanent residency must go through an immigration medical examination to
exhibit that they are free from any medical condition that may make them
impermissible concerning their health.
Hence, as an immigration applicant, you must
undergo an immigration medical examination to meet the COVID-19 vaccine and
provide vaccination documentation to the civil surgeon before completing the
immigration medical examination.
For Civil Surgeons,
Civil Surgeons
must use the new I-693 form which also provisions to record the results of the
Covid-19 vaccination requirements along with the results of the immigration
medical examination.
Blanket Waivers
However,
immigration aspirants can apply for waivers if the Covid-19 vaccination is:
- Not age-appropriate
- Contradicting the medical conditions you suffer
- Unavailable where the civil surgeon practices
- Facing a scarcity causing the applicant to wait a long time to get vaccinated
By submitting Form I-601, an individual can
demand a waiver based on religious beliefs or moral beliefs.
We always
recommend that visa applicants schedule the medical examination close to the
time of filing for immigration to ensure that their medical examination results
are valid when the immigration department adjudicates their associated benefit
application. Hence, they can have sufficient time for laboratory testing or any
other testing needed under CDC’s technical guide.
Note: USCIS is temporarily waiving the requirement for the civil surgeon to mark and acknowledge the Report of Medical Examination including Vaccination Record (Form I-693) no more than 60 days before the date the applicant files an Application for Permanent Residence. This temporary waiver is effective from December 9, 2021, until September 30, 2022.
Do you need more information on how to get your medical examination form signed by a civil surgeon? Check out the easyIME website and find out your nearest immigration medical doctors.
