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What Is the Medical Examination in Adjustment of Status?
A medical exam is a mandatory step for anyone who is seeking lawful permanent residence in the United States. Some health conditions may make immigrants inadmissible due to their public safety risks. So, a medical examination is a process that ensures that you are not a threat to public safety.
Only designated physicians authorized by the USCIS can perform the green card medical examination. After checking your health, the USCIS physician, also known as a civil surgeon, must fill out Form I-693 and provide a Vaccination Record.
The medical exam is an important and complex part of the adjustment of status process. Reach out to Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law, today for more information about the immigration medical examination and the adjustment of status checklist.
Understanding Medical Exams in Adjustment of Status
The immigration medical exam in the adjustment of status process evaluates your overall health and immunization status. It consists of the following parts:
Review of Your Medical History and Current Health Status
During the immigration medical exam, the civil surgeon will ask about any health issues, past treatments, and medications you have taken. For a thorough and accurate examination, it is crucial that you provide any relevant medical records or reports.
Physical Examination of Your Body Parts
The civil surgeon will look for medical conditions in the following regions:
Ears
Nose
Throat
Heart
Lungs
Abdomen
Lymph nodes
Skin
External genitalia
During the examination, you need to cooperate with the civil surgeon and follow instructions.
Mental Evaluation of Your Mental Health and Functioning
Your civil surgeon will also assess your mental and emotional well-being, including how you think, feel, remember, and act. For an accurate assessment, it is important to remain calm and attentive throughout the evaluation.
Chest X-Ray and a Blood Test for TB and Syphilis
These tests are needed to find out if you have TB or syphilis. These diseases can spread easily and cause serious health problems or death. You should not eat or drink for at least eight hours before the blood test. You should also not wear any metal objects during the chest X-ray.
Urine Test for Gonorrhea
This test is needed to find out if you have gonorrhea. It can also spread easily and cause serious health problems or death. You should not pee for at least one hour before the urine test.
Screening for Other Diseases
Diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and leprosy can also make you inadmissible. The civil surgeon will decide if you need to take any more tests based on your health history and risk factors.
Verification of Your Immunization Records
You need to show that you have received all the vaccines recommended by the U.S. health authorities.
These include vaccines for:
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Polio
Pneumococcal disease
Influenza
COVID-19
If you do not have a vaccination record or are missing any vaccines, the civil surgeon will give them to you.
Health-Related Grounds of Inadmissibility
You could be denied a green card on public health grounds if you have:
A medical condition that spreads quickly and causes serious health problems or death. Examples are communicable diseases, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, leprosy, and mental disorders.
Physical or mental disorders that affect your physical or mental health or behavior. Examples are psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, etc.
A history of drug abuse or associated harmful behavior that affects your physical or mental health or behavior. Examples are cocaine, heroin, marijuana, opioids, etc.
There is no proof of getting all the vaccines required by the U.S. health authorities. Examples are measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and COVID-19.
The Process of Taking Medical Examination
Before undergoing the medical examination in adjustment of status, you will receive instructions from the USCIS on how to proceed. Once you have the necessary guidance, you can follow these steps to complete the medical examination:
Find a USCIS-approved civil surgeon near your location. You can use the USCIS online tool or call the USCIS Contact Center to find one. Choose a civil surgeon near you who has good reviews.
Make a medical exam appointment and prepare for your visit. Call the civil surgeon’s office and set a date and time. Ask about the fee and how to pay. Bring your identification documents, such as your passport or visa. Also, bring your vaccination records and any medical reports that you have.
Undergo the green card medical exam and pay the fee. The medical examination may take one to two hours. It has different tests and vaccinations that you need to take. Pay the fee after the examination.
Get a sealed envelope with Form I-693 from the civil surgeon. The civil surgeon will fill out Form I-693 and give it to you in a sealed envelope. Do not open or change the envelope. Keep it in a safe place.
Submit the sealed envelope with your adjustment of status application. Submit the Form I-693 with your Form I-485 to the USCIS. Include other documents like your:
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
Police clearance certificate
How Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law, Can Help You With Your Immigration Medical Exams in Adjustment of Status
The medical examination is an essential part of the adjustment of status process. It can affect an applicant’s eligibility and chances of getting a green card. However, completing the medical examination is not enough to get a green card. You also need to file your Form I-485 and submit other supporting documents. You also need to attend your interview with USCIS and answer their questions.
That is why you need an experienced immigration attorney in Texas. Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law, is your reliable partner for all immigration matters, providing professional and confidential assistance tailored to your needs.
We can help you:
Find a civil surgeon who can perform the medical examination for you at a reasonable price.
Prepare for medical examinations.
Review your medical examination results.
Submit your medical examination report with your adjustment of status application.
File your adjustment of status application, Form I-485, and submit other supporting documents.
Prepare for your green card interview with the USCIS.
Deal with any issues or challenges that may arise during the process.
At Andrew T. Thomas, Attorneys at Law, we are committed to providing the highest level of service to help you navigate all the complexities of the immigration process, including consular processing.
Book a free consultation with us today, and let’s discuss your unique case and develop a customized approach to address your immigration needs.
