An immigration physical is a medical examination required for individuals seeking to enter the United States for various reasons, such as immigration, adjustment of status, or obtaining a green card. The purpose of the examination is to ensure that the individual does not have any communicable diseases and is not a public health risk. The immigration physical is typically conducted by a designated civil surgeon authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Key Components of an Immigration Physical:
⦁ Medical History:
- The individual provides a detailed medical history, including information about past and present illnesses, surgeries, and vaccinations.
⦁ Physical Examination:
- A thorough physical examination is conducted to assess the individual’s overall health.
⦁ Vaccination Status:
- The individual’s vaccination status is reviewed and updated if necessary to meet the vaccination requirements set by the U.S. government.
⦁ Tuberculosis (TB) Screening:
- The individual is typically screened for tuberculosis, which may involve a skin test (Tuberculin skin test or TB blood test).
⦁ Serologic Testing:
- Certain serologic tests may be required, such as testing for syphilis.
⦁ Vaccinations:
- The individual may be required to receive vaccinations based on age and medical history. Common vaccinations include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), and influenza.
⦁ Chest X-ray:
- A chest X-ray may be required for TB screening, especially if the individual has a positive reaction to the Tuberculin skin test or TB blood test.
⦁ Blood Tests:
- In addition to serologic tests, blood tests may be conducted to screen for certain medical conditions.
Panel Physicians and Civil Surgeons:
⦁ Panel Physicians:
- Outside the United States, individuals may be required to undergo a medical examination by a panel physician authorized by the U.S. Department of State.
⦁ Civil Surgeons:
- Within the United States, individuals typically undergo the examination with a civil surgeon authorized by USCIS.
Form I-693
⦁ Documentation:
- The results of the immigration physical are documented on Form I-693, which is then sealed in an envelope by the civil surgeon or panel physician.
⦁ Submission to USCIS:
- The sealed envelope containing Form I-693 is submitted to USCIS by the individual as part of the immigration application process.
Validity of the Immigration Physical
⦁ Timeframe:
- The results of the immigration physical are generally valid for a specific period (usually one year) from the date of the examination.
⦁ Updates:
- If the individual’s immigration application process extends beyond the validity period, USCIS may require an updated immigration physical.
Importance of Compliance
⦁ Legal Requirement:
- Under U.S. immigration law, undergoing a medical examination and meeting health requirements are mandatory for certain immigration processes.
⦁ Admissibility Consideration:
- Failure to comply with the medical examination requirement may affect an individual’s admissibility into the United States.
It’s important for individuals undergoing immigration to the United States to follow the specific instructions provided by USCIS and to work with an authorized civil surgeon or panel physician to complete the required medical examination. The immigration physical is a crucial step in the immigration process to ensure public health and safety.