Immigration refers to the process of relocating from one's home country to another country for various reasons such as job opportunities, education, residency, or other purposes. When individuals decide to immigrate to a different country permanently, they must fulfill certain medical requirements, which are commonly known as immigration physicals.

In the United States, individuals seeking a green card for citizenship are required to undergo immigration physicals to demonstrate their compliance with the country's medical requirements. These physical examinations are a crucial step in the immigration process, ensuring that immigrants meet all the necessary medical criteria.

What Entails an Immigration Physical?

The U.S. Government conducts physical examinations as part of the immigration process to safeguard public health. This precautionary measure ensures that individuals with medical conditions that may pose a risk to the well-being of other citizens are not granted immigration status

The immigration physical is specifically designed to assess certain diseases and health issues that the U.S. Government has identified as harmful, rather than being a comprehensive health examination for immigrants. For instance, individuals with the following conditions are not eligible for entry into the United States:

• Communicable diseases of public health significance.
• Failure to provide necessary vaccination certificates.
• Physical or mental disorders that pose a danger to U.S. citizens.
• Drug abuse or addiction.

Requirements For Taking Immigration Physicals

Here are the essential requirements for an immigration physical test.

1. Doctor Selection

The selection of the physician to conduct the immigration physical is not random and must be made from the list of doctors designated by the U.S. government.

If the immigrant is undergoing the immigration physical outside the U.S., the designated doctors must be chosen from the list provided by the U.S. embassies in the immigrant's home country.

2. Required Documents For the Immigration Physical

When undergoing immigration physicals, immigrants are required to carry important documents, which may vary depending on the location of immigration. However, there are some documents that are universally required, including:

• Authorized passport or government-issued photo ID.
• Medical Examination Report, Form I-693, Vaccination Record.
• Compulsory fee (varies depending on the doctor).
• U.S. passport pictures (as per consular office requirements if applying abroad).
• Information about any condition or exceptional education/supervision requirements for family members with learning disabilities.
• List of Medicines for chronic health problems or daily medication use.
• Tuberculosis certificate (if previously tested positive).
• Certificate of approval signed by a doctor or public health official (if history of syphilis).
• Any information relevant to conduct related to psychiatric problems or drug/alcohol abuse.
• Written certificate with diagnosis, treatment duration, and prognosis (if hospitalized or treated for psychiatric/mental ailments, drugs, or alcohol abuse).
• Vaccination certificates for Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Polio, Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids, Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenzae type B, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza, Pneumococcal Pneumonia, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Meningococcal, and COVID-19.

Process of Immigration Physicals

Immigration physical test follows a systematic process before reaching any conclusion. Here is how the process is followed. 

1. General Questions

The initial step in the immigration physicals process involves the doctor or examiner asking general questions related to the health and medical history of the immigrant. These questions may include:

1. Have you stayed in a hospital for more than a day?
2. Do you have any addiction?
3. Do you have any chronic diseases?
4. Do you have any mental conditions or disorders?

In the case of any history related to drug use, it is advisable to consult an immigration attorney to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

2. Physical Examination

After the general question session, the next step in the medical examination is the physical examination. During this process, the doctor will thoroughly examine various parts of the body such as the ears, tongue, throat, eyes, skin, external genitalia, and abdomen. Additionally, blood tests, X-rays, and other primary screenings for diseases that may pose a risk to other individuals may also be conducted. Our goal is to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your overall health and identify any potential health issues that need attention.

3. Mental Examination

Following the physical examination, the mental health assessment stage is conducted. During this stage, the doctor will thoroughly assess mental health, including examining for any potential mental disorders, evaluating thoughts, judgments, intelligence, behavior, and other related aspects in immigrants. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of both physical and mental health to ensure holistic care for our patients.

4. Final Result

The final step in the immigration medical examination process involves receiving the conclusive medical assessment. After conducting all the necessary examinations, the doctor will provide a final statement on the medical condition of the immigrant. If the immigrant does not meet the required criteria in any of the evaluation steps, their immigration request may be declined. Our aim is to ensure that all immigration requirements are met for the health and safety of both the immigrant and the receiving country.

Whether the outcome is positive or negative, the final result of the immigration medical examination is enclosed in a letter and securely sealed. This practice ensures that the results remain confidential and are not tampered with by the immigrant, safeguarding the integrity of the assessment. Our commitment is to maintain the authenticity and accuracy of the examination results, following strict protocols to prevent any fraudulent activities.

Cost of the Immigration Physicals

In the United States, the cost of medical services is not regulated by the government. Instead, the fees charged by healthcare providers are determined by individual doctors, and as such, can vary significantly. Depending on the specific practitioner visited, medical costs can range from $100 to $400.

Conclusion

When applying for a green card in the United States, the immigration process is a crucial step that must be completed. It is essential to carefully review and fulfill all necessary requirements to ensure a smooth and successful application. Failure to do so can result in unnecessary complications. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to even the most basic details.

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