What are immigration physicals?
An immigration physical is a health assessment that helps determine your admissibility for immigrating to the U.S. The exam is essential for green card holders and individuals intending to immigrate. Immigration physicals are not the same as annual physical exams. Their intention isn’t to prevent, diagnose, or manage chronic diseases.
What is the purpose of immigration physicals?
Unlike annual physicals, an immigration physical’s primary role is protecting U.S. residents against potentially harmful communicable diseases. This exam also identifies factors that might interfere with your immigration status.
The four main factors that immigration physicals look for are:
- Proof of vaccination
- Communicable diseases that may harm public health and safety
- Substance abuse or drug addiction
- Certain physical or mental health disorders
After completing your immigration physical, your family medicine specialist creates a report that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses to determine your citizenship or green card eligibility.
What should I bring to immigration physicals?
While an annual physical requires very little preparation, there are several documents you should bring to an immigration physical, such as:
- Vaccination records
- Valid passport and photo identification (ID)
- Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form 1-693)
- Up-to-date tuberculosis certificate
- List of medications you’re currently taking
Honesty is an essential component of the immigration physical process. If you’ve ever received psychiatric care, have a history of violent behavior, or have a learning disability, you must disclose this information at your exam.
What happens during immigration physicals?
After reviewing your medical history, your family medicine specialist at Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada checks inside your ears, nose, and throat, listens to your heart and lungs, and palpates your organs.
Once they complete the physical portion of your exam, your doctor orders a chest X-ray and blood work for syphilis testing.
Up-to-date immunizations are an important step in an immigration physical. If you need any vaccines, your doctor can administer them at your appointment. At the end of your visit, your doctor hands you a completed and sealed Form I-693 that you submit to the USCIS.
To learn more about immigration physicals, call Osteopathic Medical Associates of Nevada or schedule an appointment online today.
