Immigration Medical Exams for Adults
What Is an Immigration Medical Exam?
An immigration medical exam is a health screening required by the USCIS as part of the application for:
- Lawful Permanent Residency (Green Card)
- Refugee or asylum status adjustment
- Certain visas or immigration statuses
The goal of this exam is to ensure that applicants do not have any contagious diseases or health conditions that could pose a public health risk or make them inadmissible to the U.S.
Who Performs the Exam?
Immigration medical exams must be performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (for applicants already in the U.S.) or a panel physician (for applicants abroad).
You can find an approved civil surgeon through the USCIS website.
What to Bring to Your Exam
To make sure your visit goes smoothly, bring the following:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.)
- Immunization/vaccination records
- Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) – if you’re in the U.S.
- Medical history or records of chronic conditions
- List of current medications
- Glasses or hearing aids, if needed
- Payment method (check with the clinic for accepted forms of payment)
Tip: If you’ve had tuberculosis, syphilis, or other infectious diseases in the past, bring documents showing diagnosis and treatment.
What Does the Exam Include?
The medical exam is not a full physical exam. It’s specifically designed to check for medical conditions listed in immigration law.
Here’s what you can expect:
1. Physical Exam
The doctor will check your:
- Heart, lungs, skin, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Blood pressure, height, and weight
- General appearance and mental status
2. Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
Adults are tested for TB through a blood test called the IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assays). If the test is positive, you’ll need a chest X-ray and possible follow-up.
3. Syphilis Blood Test
A blood test is required for applicants 15 years or older to check for syphilis.
4. Gonorrhea Test
Adults aged 18–24 are also screened for gonorrhea using a urine test.
5. Vaccination Review
The civil surgeon will check your immunization records and administer any missing vaccines required by the CDC for immigration purposes. Common vaccines include:
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus and Diphtheria (Tdap)
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Influenza (during flu season)
- COVID-19 (per current CDC guidelines)
What If You Have a Medical Condition?
Not all health conditions make you inadmissible. The civil surgeon’s job is to document your health status accurately and explain whether the condition requires follow-up or treatment.
For example:
- If you test positive for TB, you’ll need to complete treatment and provide proof before proceeding.
- If you have a chronic illness (like diabetes or hypertension), it typically doesn’t affect your immigration status unless it's associated with a communicable disease.
Mental health conditions and substance use disorders may be reviewed more closely if they pose a risk to others.
What Happens After the Exam?
Once your exam is complete, the civil surgeon will:
- Fill out Form I-693 and place it in a sealed envelope (do NOT open this envelope).
- Provide you with a copy of the completed form for your records.
You must submit the sealed envelope along with your green card or adjustment of status application.
Note: The I-693 form is valid for 2 years from the date of the civil surgeon’s signature, as long as it's submitted within 60 days of the exam.