What Happens at an Immigration Medical Exam

If you are in the process of migrating to the United States to become a permanent resident, you will need to undergo an immigration medical exam. The appointment, also known as a green card medical exam, is a required component of the procedure to protect public safety and eliminate reasons for inadmissibility for prospective immigrants.

Certain illnesses with significant public health implications render a person ineligible to enter the United States. As a result, the applicant's application for a green card may be denied. The exam is the procedure for removing these inadmissibility reasons. It is important to understand what to expect and how to prepare for your medical test.

Medical history

At the start of the immigration medical exam, the doctor or a member of the doctor's team will know the applicant's medical history. The doctor is particularly interested if they ever been admitted to a hospital or had significant events in their health history, a history of being institutionalized for a chronic physical or mental condition, or a history of being sick or disabled to the point of a "significant deviation from a normal state of well-being or function."

The doctor will also inquire about the person's drug use habits. Applicants who are discovered to be drug addicts or abusers will be denied admission. Recovering drug abusers in remission, on the other hand, are eligible for admission. If the applicant is categorized as a drug abuser or addict, they can apply for permanent residency if substance misuse or addiction is in remission.

Physical examination

After that, the doctor will do a physical examination. The exam entails checking the eyes, ears, nose, and throat, as well as your limbs, heart, lungs, belly, lymph nodes, skin, and external genitalia. To rule out syphilis, the doctor will conduct a chest X-ray and a blood test. In most cases, children will be exempt from the X-ray and blood test requirements. Expectant mothers need to contact their embassy or consulate office to request a delay.

Mental examination

A mental status assessment will also be performed to evaluate the applicant's intellect, thinking, understanding, judgment, affect, mood, and conduct. Applicants with medical or mental illnesses and hazardous conduct linked with such illnesses are ineligible. The grounds for inadmissibility are split into two categories: physical or mental illnesses that have resulted in hazardous conduct and previous medical or mental problems and hazardous conduct that is likely to reoccur or cause other harmful behavior.

Screening of blood and urine

Applicants above the age of fifteen will have a blood test for syphilis and a urine test for gonorrhea. This exam is necessary whether they are in the United States or not. It is essential to remember that applicants must finish the medical checkup despite experiencing a menstrual period.

Final thoughts

If you have your medical exam in the United States, your doctor will record your exam findings on Form I-693 and deliver them to you in a sealed envelope. You should bring this envelope to your green card interview. Under no circumstances should you open the mail before your interview. Please contact us if you have any further questions or concerns regarding the immigration medical exam. 

Request an appointment here: https://hoadly.millenniummedicalcare.com or call Millennium Medical Care Manassas at (703) 673-1558 for an appointment in our Manassas office.

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