The primary purpose of obtaining a green card medical exam is to ensure that those seeking green cards have no existing health conditions that deem them inadmissible to the United States. While it’s common for green card applicants to feel nervous about medical screening, they shouldn’t have anything to fear.

Adequate preparation can help applicants feel less stressed and help avoid any issues that can delay the process or result in green card application denial. So, here’s information to help you understand the medical requirements for U.S. immigration so you can feel less nervous and more prepared.

What To Bring to an Exam

Everyone going through a green card medical examination and immunization must bring the proper paperwork and documentation to help appointments go smoothly. Clients should bring the following:

• Medical history documentation
• Vaccination and immunization records
• Previous chest X-ray records
• A health insurance card
• A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, state ID, work permit, or travel permit
• Doctor’s letter outlining health problem treatment plans
• Medical exam fee payment method

Additionally, bringing a Form I-693 can help civil surgeons document your test results if you apply within the United States. If you apply from abroad, you must bring your NVC-certified green card interview appointment letter.

Illness and Disease Testing

During your medical exam, you’ll undergo testing for communicable diseases, physical or mental disorders associated with potentially harmful behavior, drug addiction or abuse, and conditions that don’t allow you to support yourself.

One of the first tests you’ll get is a tuberculosis test. If you apply in the U.S., civil surgeons follow the CDC’s Tuberculosis Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons, conducting a test called the IGRA for all green card applicants aged two or older. If applying from abroad, a physician will perform a similar tuberculosis testing for Panel Physicians for all applicants aged 15 or older. You will also undergo urine and blood testing, followed by vaccination screening.

Health-Related Denial Reasons

Now that you understand the U.S. immigrant medical requirements, a couple of factors can result in the denial of a United States green card. If you have a history of drug and alcohol abuse, you must take a drug test and complete a drug treatment program. Existing substance abuse will not allow applicants to obtain a green card.

Other factors, such as communicable diseases like syphilis, leprosy, or tuberculosis, will prevent you from obtaining a green card. Lastly, an inability to work or having a mental illness with a history of violence can also result in denial.

We at AFC Urgent Care offer medical services to those seeking United State Citizenship. Our immigration physicals in Brier Creek offer easily available appointments and a fast turnaround time for immigration paperwork. AFC provides the necessary immigration physicals, immigration immunizations, green card medical exams, and I-693 paperwork to obtain citizenship. Contact us today if you have any questions about our medical services and professionals