Required for persons seeking to become residents of the US by US Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The medical exam
- Reviews vaccination status and issues those required
- Evaluates for physical or mental disorders that may result in drug abuse or harmful behavior
- Helps determine that individuals entering the US are healthy and free of certain contagious diseases.
Prior to your Examination (needing to bring to exam)
- Government issued identification is required such as passport, drivers license, state ID, work permit, travel permit (cannot be expired)
- Prior vaccination/Immunization history proof
- List of medications with doses
- Completed I-693 form (is available on USCIS website as a PDF download)
- Required fee (varies per applicant)
Vaccination Requirements (are age dependent, Civil Surgeon will inform of the ones required by you)
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Meningococcal disease
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Influenza
Your encounter with the Civil Surgeon: Medical history
Your medical history will be reviewed with you by the doctor, inquiring about your physical and mental health, active and/or prior conditions.
Your encounter with the Civil Surgeon: Vaccination/Immunization History
The vaccination history you provided will be reviewed to determine if up to date and whether any are required.
Current medically appropriate vaccinations by age is available by USCIS
Your encounter with the Civil Surgeon: Physical Exam
Will be performed by the Physician to include,
- Eyes
- Ears
- Nose & Throat
- Heart
- Lungs
- Abdomen
- Skin
- Lymph nodes
- Arms and Legs
- External Genitalia (in rare instances)
Your encounter with the Civil Surgeon: Mental Health Evaluation
As assessment will be made of your Judgement, Intelligence, Comprehension, Thought process, Affect, Behavior and Mood.
It is to determine whether applicant with physical or mental disorders can cause harmful behavior or become involved with abuse of drugs.
Your encounter with the Civil Surgeon: Labs/Testing
- If immunization status needs to be determined blood titers will be done. This determines concentration of antibodies in your blood and will determine if further vaccination will be determined.
- testing will be performed for gonorrhoeae and syphillis. If positive appropriate treatment will be recommended.
- testing will be done for tuberculosis (TD) and infectious lung disease via your blood which will be drawn. Will be performed for every applicant above age 2. Based on vaccination history of test results a chest x-ray may be required to determine TB status
What happens after your exam is completed
Upon completion of the exam, testing/labs, the I-693 form will be completed and signed and returned to you in a sealed envelope.
This sealed envelop should only be opened by USCIS personnel.
The immigration medical exam/physical is usually valid for 2 years.
