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Why are medical exams needed?
Medical examinations verify good health and admissibility to the United
States on medical grounds. The exam can identify medical conditions that
require follow-up medical care after emigration to the U.S. or adjustment
of status to permanent residence.
All medical examinations include:
，
Physical Examination:
applicants are required to have a physical examination (to include
complete disrobing), and a mental status evaluation.
，
Tuberculin (TB) Skin Test:
All applicants 2 years of age and older are required to have a tuberculin
skin test (TST).
，
Serologic (Blood) Test:
All applicants 15 years of age and older are required to have serologic
(blood) tests for HIV and for syphilis. Applicants under age 15 can be
tested for HIV or syphilis if there is reason to suspect the possibility
of infection. Civil Surgeons and Panel Physicians are required to provide
pre-test counseling to all applicants who take the HIV test. If you are
found to have HIV infection, the Civil Surgeon must provide you with
post-test counseling.
，
Vaccinations:
Most applicants need to show that they are current with all vaccinations
recommended by US public health officials. See our complete list of
recommended vaccinations.
Who has to have a medical exam?
，
Adjustment of Status applicants and immigrant visa
applicants. Anyone applying for
adjustment of status in the United States, or for an immigrant visa at a
U.S. Consular post abroad, must undergo a medical exam including a
vaccination assessment. Note: If the individual is applying for registry
based on his or her entry before January 1, 1972, and has been in
continuous residence in the United States since that date, a medical exam
is not required.
，
K and V nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applicants.
Individuals applying for a K nonimmigrant visa as the fiancee or the
spouse of a U.S. citizen or for a V nonimmigrant visa as the spouse or
child of a lawful permanent resident (LPR) (including those applying for V
status in the United States) must undergo a medical exam, but are not
required to comply with the vaccination requirements at that time. They
will be required to comply with the vaccination requirements when they
eventually apply for adjustment of status.
，
Refugees.
Individuals outside of the United States applying for admission as
refugees must undergo a medical exam, but they are not required to comply
with the vaccination requirements at that time.
，
Refugee adjustment applicants.
Refugees become eligible to apply for adjustment of status 1 year after
their initial refugee admission. When they apply for adjustment of status,
they will not be required to repeat the medical exam they had overseas,
unless a medical ground of inadmissibility was discovered. But, a refugee
who is not required to repeat the medical exam must still comply with the
vaccination requirements and submit the vaccination sign-off in support of
the adjustment of status application. Contact your state refugee health
coordinator or local refugee resettlement agency to find out whether it is
possible for you to have the vaccination sign-off done by a state or local
health department.
，
Asylees. Individuals already in
the United States who are applying for asylum are not required to have a
medical exam.
，
Asylee adjustment applicants.
Individuals granted asylum become eligible to apply for adjustment of
status 1 year after the date of approval. When they apply for adjustment
of status, they are required to undergo the entire medical exam, including
the vaccination assessment.
Note: A medical exam is not required for other
nonimmigrant visa applicants and nonimmigrants arriving at a port of
entry, but the Consular officer overseas or the inspector at the port of
entry has can require you to undergo an exam if there are reasons to
believe that you might be inadmissible on medical grounds.
What if I am pregnant?
If you are pregnant, you are required to have a medical exam, but some
parts of it may be postponed until after delivery of your baby, depending
on the circumstances of your case. If you have any concerns, you should
discuss them with your family doctor before the medical exam, with the
Civil Surgeon, or with the Panel Physician.
What are the vaccination
requirements?
You should have vaccinations for:
，
Mumps
，
Measles
，
Rubella
，
Polio
，
Tetanus
，
Diphtheria toxoids
，
Pertussis
，
Influenza type B
，
Hepatitis B
If you are unable to submit all your vaccination records at the time of
the exam, or if you have never had certain vaccines, the Civil Surgeon or
Panel Physician can administer them to you.
Important: Do not try to fulfill your vaccination
requirements before you meet with the Panel Physician or Civil Surgeon, in
case it is not medically appropriate for you to have one or more of the
required vaccines.
What if vaccinations are
contrary to my religious beliefs or moral convictions?
If you have firmly held religious or moral beliefs that do not permit
vaccinations, you may still be eligible for adjustment of status. You will
need to apply for a waiver of vaccination requirements.
What happens after the medical
exam?
After the medical exam is complete, the Panel Physician (if you are
abroad) or the Civil Surgeon (if you are in the United States) will
certify the results on the appropriate forms and place them in a sealed
envelope. DO NOT OPEN THE SEALED ENVELOPE. Turn in your
envelope with your immigration application.
Who gives the medical exam?
Medical examinations are given by licensed and experienced doctors, called
Civil Surgeons (in the U.S.A.) and Panel Physicians (outside of the
U.S.A.). Doctors who qualify as Civil Surgeons or Panel Physicians receive
special and on-going immigration oriented medical training and policy
updates. Note: A medical exam performed by a doctor NOT approved by CIS
will not be recognized.
How do I find a designated
Civil Surgeon in my area of the United States?
Using a telephone, you can receive the names of CIS-designated Civil
Surgeons in your area by calling the CIS National Customer Service Center
at 1 (800) 375-5283. You will need to provide your zip code so that they
can give you the Civil Surgeons nearest to you. Be sure to have a pen or
pencil ready to write down the names and telephone numbers when you call.
If you have online access to the world wide web, you can find a selection
of qualified doctors on our Civil
Surgeons database. At your local CIS office, a list of Civil Surgeons
is also available. It will be sent to you when you receive your
appointment for an adjustment of status interview.
How do I find a Panel
Physician if I am applying from overseas?
You can get the names of recognized Panel Physicians by contacting the
Consular Office of your closest Consulate or Embassy of the United States
Consular Office.
Who pays for the medical exam?
You do. You are responsible for paying all doctor and laboratory fees
associated with your medical examination.
What form is needed for the
medical exam?
If you are applying for adjustment of status in the United States, Form
I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status, is used
to report the results of the medical exam to the CIS. If you are applying
for a visa at a U.S. Consular post overseas, Form DS 2053 (Formerly Form
OF 157) will be given to you. The Consular officer will supply this form
and the accompanying supplements, and will give you the names and
telephone numbers of Panel Physicians in your area. There is also a
vaccination supplement which your Civil Surgeon or Panel Physician will
provide. It is used to record the results of the vaccination assessment.
Is anything else needed?
Yes. When you come to your medical examination appointment, you need to
bring your passport, or other form of government issued photo
identification, and any written documentation of your vaccination history.
If you are applying for an immigrant visa from outside of the United
States, you need to bring 3 current photographs..
What happens after the medical
exam?
After the medical exam is complete, the Panel Physician (if you are
abroad) or the Civil Surgeon (if you are in the United States) will
certify the results on the appropriate forms and place them in a sealed
envelope. DO NOT OPEN THE SEALED ENVELOPE. Turn in the
envelope with your immigration application.
What is a ＾medical waiver￣
and what does it do?
A medical waiver permits an immigration applicant to be allowed into, or
remain in the United States despite having a health condition identified
as medical grounds of inadmissibility. Terms and conditions can be applied
to a medical waiver on a case by case basis.
You are eligible for a waiver if:
，
You are the spouse or
unmarried son or daughter or the minor, unmarried adopted child of a U.S.
citizen or LPR; or
，
You have a son or daughter or
lawfully adopted child who is a U.S. citizen or LPR; or
，
You are eligible for
classification as a self-petitioning spouse or child (including your
derivative children) because of abuse.
What are ＾medical grounds of
inadmissibility￣?
＾Medical grounds of inadmissibility￣ is a term used when an applicant
has a health condition which is a public health concern to the United
States. Under the U.S. immigration laws, the medical grounds of
inadmissibility are divided into four categories:
，
communicable disease of public
health significance;
，
lack of required vaccinations
(for immigrant visa applicants only);
，
physical or mental disorders
with harmful behavior; and
，
drug abuse/drug addiction.
Are all physical or mental
disorders considered ＾medically-related grounds of ineligibility￣?
No. The Civil Surgeon or Panel Physician must determine that there is no
harmful behavior associated with the disorder in question. If you have a
history of a physical or a mental disorder, there must be a harmful
behavior that is likely to recur in order for it to make you ineligible.
If your condition has no associated harmful behavior, then you can proceed
with your application process.
What happens if I have a
physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior?
If you have a physical or mental condition with associated harmful
behavior, you may still be eligible for adjustment of status. You may
apply for a waiver according to the terms and conditions established by
the CIS, in consultation with the CDC. If you are applying for adjustment
of status in the United States, you must file Form I-601, Application for
Waiver of Grounds of Excludability, including fee payment, with the CIS
office considering your adjustment of status application. If you are
applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consular post abroad, you must
submit your waiver application to the Consular post that is considering
your immigrant visa application. The Consular post will send your waiver
application to the overseas CIS office in that jurisdiction for a
decision. If you are applying for admission as a refugee, or for
adjustment of status 1 year following your initial admission as a refugee
or the grant of asylum, you may be granted a waiver for humanitarian
reasons, to assure family unity, or when it is otherwise in the public
interest. You must file Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of
Ground of Excludability, but you are not required to pay a fee.
What happens if the Civil
Surgeon or Panel Physician finds a health problem during the medical exam?
If a health condition is diagnosed which makes you inadmissible, you may
still be eligible for immigration after completing treatment for the
condition. In some cases, you may still be eligible for immigration after
applying for a waiver to overcome the medical ground of inadmissibility.
What is a communicable disease
of public health significance?
A ＾communicable disease of public health significance￣ is defined in
the HHS regulations that cover the required medical exam for immigration
purposes and includes the following 9 infectious medical conditions:
，
severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS)
，
tuberculosis (TB)
，
leprosy
，
human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV/AIDS)
，
syphilis (infectious state)
，
chancroid (STD, similar to
syphilis and herpes)
，
gonorrhea
，
granuloma inguinale (STD,
donovanosis)
，
lymphogranuloma (STD,
chlamydia)
Most communicable diseases are easily treatable. If the medical tests are
positive for a communicable disease, the Civil Surgeon will recommend a
course of treatment. Some medical conditions are not easily treatable.
However, you may still receive adjustment of status by filing a waiver
application. You are eligible for a waiver if:
，
You are the spouse or
unmarried son or daughter or the minor, unmarried adopted child of a U.S.
citizen or LPR; or
，
You have a son or daughter or
lawfully adopted child who is a U.S. citizen or LPR; or
，
You are eligible for
classification as a self-petitioning spouse or child (including your
derivative children) because of abuse.
The waiver may be granted according to the terms and conditions (which can
include posting a bond) determined necessary by the CIS in consultation
with public health officials, based on the nature of the medical
condition. If you are applying for adjustment of status in the United
States, you must file Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of
Excludability, including payment of fee, with the CIS office considering
your adjustment of status application.
If you are applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consular post abroad,
you must submit your waiver application to the Consular post that is
considering your immigrant visa application. The Consular post will send
your waiver application to the overseas CIS office in that jurisdiction
for a decision. If you are applying for admission as a refugee, or for
adjustment of status at least 1 year following your initial admission as a
refugee or the grant of asylum, you may be granted a waiver for
humanitarian reasons, to assure family unity, or when it is otherwise in
the public interest. You must file Form I-602, Application by Refugee for
Waiver of Ground of Excludability, but you are not required to pay a fee.
What happens if I test
positive for HIV?
In the case of testing positive for the HIV virus, you must file a waiver
application according to the above instructions. You must also show that
your admission to the U.S.:
，
Poses minimal public health
danger
，
Holds minimal possibility of
spread of infection
，
Will not incur costs to any
government agency without prior consent from that agency.
Note: Individuals seeking admission as refugees from
outside the United States are not required to submit documentation of
individual eligibility for HIV treatment or health care coverage with Form
I-602. They are already considered to have the required consent based on
their eligibility for Federally funded programs and the assurances
provided to CIS by HHS.
How do Civil Surgeons and
Panel Physicians determine drug abuse or addictions?
Using the CDC guidelines, Civil Surgeons and Panel Physicians review the
applicant¨s medical history during the medical exam and ask questions
considered necessary to determine whether or not there is any current or
past use of any drugs or other psychoactive substances (other than
strictly experimental). Applicants may also be required to undergo
additional testing for substance abuse.
If the Panel Physician or Civil Surgeon finds that you have a history of
drug use or drug addiction, he or she will discuss the medical treatment
options.
There is no waiver available for this condition for most adjustment of
status applicants. If you are applying for admission as a refugee from
abroad or for adjustment of status 1 year following the initial refugee
admission or grant of asylum, you may be granted a waiver for humanitarian
reasons, to assure family unity, or when it is otherwise in the public
interest. In these cases Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of
Grounds of Excludability, is required, but there is no fee.
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