Who Can Perform an Immigration Exam?

Passing an immigration exam is important for the next chapter of your life. Moving to another country means facing new challenges. In doing so, you need a clean bill of health. Knowing more about this procedure can help you prepare for it. Here are the details if you want to know who can perform an immigration exam and what the process entails.

Selecting the right doctor

An aspiring immigrant cannot go to any regular doctor for an immigration exam. The right kind of doctor must be a government-approved one. The U.S. consulate or embassy will rely on panel physicians outside the country. The U.S. consulate or consular processing will give the applicant a list of panel physicians. Checking with the local consulate about the proper steps is ideal. Securing an appointment notification may be necessary before seeing the panel physician.

If the applicant is inside the United States, the doctor should be a civil surgeon. This is often necessary if an individual has an adjustment of status case. The applicant can get a directory of civil surgeons for this immigration exam. The doctors approved by the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) are the ones who have exclusive authority to perform this exam.

What happens during this exam

Non-immigrants and short-term transit visa holders do not need this exam. Immigrants, status adjusters, and refugees must get an immigration exam. Knowing what will happen during this exam can help one prepare for it. Below are the steps to remember:

• A physical exam will check the skin, extremities, and heart, as well as the lymph nodes, lungs, and throat. The nose, eyes, and ears will also be part of the inspection.
• A review of the applicant’s medical history will also take place.
• A blood test, chest X-ray, and urine test will check for contagious diseases.
• Getting the necessary vaccines, as indicated in the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices), is also necessary.

The doctor will complete filling up Form I-693. Sending the form to the consulate will be the responsibility of the panel physician in some countries. In others, the doctor will give the immigration exam results to the applicant. It is often in a sealed envelope, together with the X-ray results. Then, the applicant will bring these documents to the visa interview. It is better for the applicant to request a separate copy of the filled-up Form I-693 for personal reference.

Tips for the immigration exam

This exam is important for either updating one’s immigration status or moving to the United States. The individual must prepare well for this exam. It is much like an interview but for the person’s health status. Here are some tips to consider:

• Prepare to practice honesty. The doctor will be asking many questions about the individual’s health history. Truthfulness is key. Talk about past hospitalizations and illnesses. It is more acceptable to reveal every aspect of health and wellness than mislead the doctor.
• Have the correct documents. Getting the correct forms for the immigration exam can make the process quicker and smoother. Vaccination records, proof of medical insurance, and a government-issued ID card are a few of these documents. Include the medical exam payment and an unsigned Form I-693, and the process can start. If the individual has been admitted for serious mental conditions, there should be proper hospital records.
• Update vaccinations and bring the records to prove it. The vaccination records must prove that the person has been vaccinated against the diseases on the USCIS list. Some of them are polio, rotavirus, influenza, and measles. The immigration exam doctor may give the vaccinations that the individual does not have yet for an extra fee.
• Dress in comfortable clothes. Loose clothing can help the person relax. It can also make the body more accessible for sample collection. Comfortable clothes can also make it easier to change into a hospital gown if needed.
• Drink plenty of water before the immigration exam appointment. This will make the physical exam shorter. Producing urine will be quicker, and drawing blood will be easier.

What may cause a failed immigration exam

The authorized doctor will check every aspect of the applicant’s health. It is important for the doctor to be thorough. Accepting the results of the exam is part of the process. One can either pass or fail.

The applicant may fail because the individual has an infectious disease that can threaten public health. Physical disorders or substance abuse can also cause the failure of the exam. Not providing proof of vaccination can also be a cause for failure. Mental disorders that may result in physical harm can lead to the same result.

An authorized physician can help you through your immigration exam

Finding the right doctor to complete your immigration documents can change your life. This healthcare professional knows what is necessary for an immigrant to push through with the immigration process. Once the process is complete, you can have peace of mind that your documents will be ready for your interview. If all goes well, you will be able to start a new life in the United States.

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