The American Dream is an opportunity that millions of immigrants strive to achieve. It means that they can escape from their country and work towards obtaining a much better life for themselves and their families.
Many immigrants find career success by opening small businesses, escape wars back in their originated country, and find peace. One of the first steps to achieve these, and so much more, is to receive an immigration medical exam.
Immigration medical exams are necessary for those that wish to become a permanent resident in America. Also known as a green card medical exam, an immigration medical exam is a routine part of the process.
It ensures public safety and removes the grounds for inadmissibility for immigrants intending to reside in the US. In the US, certain diseases of public health significance make immigrants inadmissible. This particular exam removes the grounds for inadmissibility so that immigrants can achieve that American dream.
Let’s dig into what it means to achieve the highest aspirations and goals in the American Dream by getting an immigration medical exam.
The Primary Purpose of an Immigration Medical Exam
The medical immigration examination is administered to foreign nationals and is designed to protect the health of the US population. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses one’s medical examination and vaccination report to determine if they meet the health-related requirements for admissibility.
Some of these primary medical conditions may make green card applicants inadmissible on all health-related grounds.
- Drug abuse or addiction
- A communicable disease of public health significance
- Physical or disorder associated with harmful behavior
- An immigrant’s failure to provide proof of the required vaccinations
What to Bring to Your Immigration Medical Exam
When preparing for your immigration medical exam, you must bring the following items:
- Valid passport or other government-issued photo identification
- Vaccination records
- Required fee (varies by the physician)
- Complete form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
- Required number of US passport photos
- List of medications
- Report of health condition and any special education or supervision requirements
- Tuberculosis test certificate (proving that you were accurately tested and treated)
- Certificate of clearance signed by a doctor or public health official (proving that you were adequately treated)
- History of harmful or violent behaviors in the injury of people or animals
- Report of past drug and alcohol use or dependancy
- History of ever being treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness, as well as drug or alcohol abuse
Vaccinations for Your Immigration Medical Exam
To receive your immigration medical exam, you must have all of the required vaccinations. The Immigration and Nationality Act expressly requires some vaccinations. Others are required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These vaccines are performed in the interest of public health. These vaccines include:
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A
- Influenza
- Pertussis
- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
- Mumps, measles, and rubella
- Varicella
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Rotavirus
- Meningococcal
Find An Authorized Doctor to Perform Your Immigration Medical Exam
Remember, you can’t just go to any doctor to get an immigration medical exam. When you apply for a green card in the US, you need an immigration medical exam performed by a doctor that is authorized by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
USCIS designated certain doctors to perform immigration medical exams required for most green card applicants. For instance, military physicians, civil surgeons, and panel physicians certified by the Department of State can perform these examinations.
During the exam, the doctor will test for communicable diseases, such as syphilis or tuberculosis. Because the doctor executes the tuberculosis test in two parts, you will have to return to the doctor within 2 or 3 days to have your results read. A syphilis test is a simple blood test that you can complete in a day.
After you’ve finished your exam, the doctor will complete Form I-693 and place the form in a sealed envelope to submit to USCIS.
At The Medical Centre of Lehigh Acres, we have physicians that are certified and qualified to conduct immigration medical examinations.
Contact us for current prices, as prices may vary. We have designed packages to fit individual budgets based on the necessities to be within compliance and satisfy the requirements of the I-693 form. Schedule an appointment today to get started!
