It is important to conduct your immigration medical examination for immigrating to United States at the time of becoming the permanent resident. Sometimes known as a green card medical examination, the appointment becomes a routine of the entire process that ensures public protection and removes further grounds for intending the immigrants.
There are some diseases related to the importance of public health which makes an individual not allowed to visit the United States. So, it will prevent applicant from applying for their green card. The examination can help to eliminate the grounds related to inadmissibility. So, it is necessary to be aware how you may prepare yourself for conducting the medical examination and what you should expect from the result.
Purpose of conducting an immigration medical examination
The medical examination of foreign nationals, the medical grounds of inadmissibility as well as vaccinations that have been administered to the foreign nationals have been designed to secure the health condition of the people of United States. For an immigration medical exam, the report of medical exam along with vaccination record provides necessary information that the Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Citizenship uses to find out whether the foreign national fulfills health-related standards for proper admissibility.
You need to follow these four medical conditions that can make an applicant unacceptable on different health-based grounds:
- Transmissible disease of significance related to public health
- Failure of an immigrant to show evidence of the needed vaccinations
- Mental or physical disorder that has harmful behavior
- Addiction or drug abuse
The objective of an immigration medical examination is to conduct screening for some medical conditions which are quite relevant to the U.K. immigration law. The U.K. government will not need the doctor to assess for any condition except that the U.K. Public Health Service denotes for U.K. immigration purposes. In the same way, the government will not need the doctor to provide with thorough diagnosis or proper treatment even if he/she finds other health problems. The exam will not be an alternative for complete physical examination, thorough consultation, proper diagnosis, or treatment as suggested by the health care provider.
How you can choose a doctor for your medical examination
You will not be able to visit any doctor for an immigration medical examination. This examination should be done by a government-approved doctor. When you go outside the United Kingdom, the consulate or U.K. embassy will refer you to an authorised panel physicians. The applicants who want to apply within the United Kingdom will have to visit a civil surgeon. In both the situations, you will find doctors have been authorized for taking the examination.
When applying for an immigrant visa through a consulate or an U.K. embassy, they will give panel physician’s list who are certified the Department of State. It is suggested that you check at your local consulate about the procedure before undergoing it. You need to get an appointment notification before the panel physician will be visiting you.
When you need to book an immigrant medical exam
In case of consular applicants, the National Visa Center informs when it is the right time or booking an appointment. You have to complete the medical examination and take the vaccinations before the interview date of your scheduled immigrant visa.
The status of the applicants will have greater flexibility and they need to submit exam results with the adjustment of status application package, being a part of your concurrent filing. So, there will be the complete package of items available to the USCIS for processing quickly. When you opt to follow the path, it is advised to schedule your appointment with a civil surgeon before starting with a green card application process. You have to submit your results with Form I-485as an application to Adjust Status.
Some applicants need to submit the application or do immigration medical examination in future. Health Screening Clinic can help them to prepare for the entire medical exam for your visa application. When this is your path, book your examination after you file the I-485 application. You need to take the results with you while attending e green card interview.
When you need to apply within the U.K., the examination results should be signed by a doctor before submitting the Form I-485. Your results will remain valid for the next two years from the date of signature.
What you can conduct a medical examination
When you decide to prepare for the medical examination, you have to take different items which differ based on your examination place. If you need to attend an examination outside the United Kingdom, then the U.K. embassy provides particular guidance for your country. But you have to take the following items at the immigration medical examination:
- Valid passport or other photo identification issued by the government
- Vaccination records
- Form I-693 which is Vaccination and Medical Examination Record
- Fees you need to pay to the doctor
- Number of U.S. passport photos needed
- Report of condition and special education or supervision requirements
- List of medications required on a daily basis
- Certificate of tuberculosis from the doctor that prove you have been adequately treated
- Certificate of clearance that has been signed by the doctor or health official
- History of violent or harmful behavior that cause injury to people or animals and information will let the doctor to know if the behavior is related to a medical or psychiatric problem
- If you are hospitalized or treated for mental or psychiatric illness, or drug abuse and written certification that include – proper diagnosis, treatment timing and prognosis
Vaccinations
The doctor confirms you have taken all the needed vaccinations as some of them will be required by the Immigration and Nationality Act. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is evaluated that they should be taken for the public health interest. Besides, you should take these vaccinations before getting admitted as a permanent resident:
- Hepatitis B
- Measels, rubella, mumps
- Varicella
- Hepatitis A
- Influenza
- Diphtheria toxoids
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Pertussis
- Rotavirus
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Meningococcal
- Haemophilius influenza type B
Thus you may visit a doctor to conduct an immigration medical examination and get your results as soon as possible.
