What Medical Tests are Performed for a Green Card?
When preparing to apply for a green card, one of the many required documents is the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693), prepared by a doctor designated as a USCIS civil surgeon. A valid question a green card applicant frequently asks is ‘What Medical Tests are Performed for a Green Card?’ The medical examination portion of the green card process may be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be if you are well informed ahead of time.
As long as you are adequately prepared for your I-693 medical tests, you may avoid any delays or denials of your green card application. Today, our top Phoenix immigration lawyers are clarifying the frequently asked question of what medical tests must be completed to qualify for a green card and how this may obstruct the green card process.
Why Are Medical Tests Required for a Green Card?
In order to determine if you are eligible for permanent residency (aka “green card”) in the U.S., a comprehensive health examination is a mandatory part of the process. These examinations must be conducted by a doctor approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Consulate, who will then complete a written report on their findings.
Green card medical examinations are a vital part of the immigration process and are required for anyone seeking a family-based green card. These exams include the following:
- Evaluation of your medical history and vaccination records
- Drug and alcohol screening
- Evaluation of your mental and physical health
- Tests for a variety of illnesses and diseases
An immigration medical exam is used to determine whether the individual applying for a green card has a medical condition that could make them inadmissible to the United States. Depending on the results, they may not be eligible to receive a green card.
What Happens During the Immigration Medical Exam?
During the immigration medical exam, you will be asked about your medical history by the doctor or a member of their staff. Upon reviewing your medical history, the doctor will review whether you have been hospitalized or whether you have been disabled or severely ill in the past.
Additional questions will be asked about any history of psychiatric illness or display of dangerous behaviors. If there has been a history of harmful behavior related to a physical or mental disorder, the doctor may require additional testing or medical records. The exam may also reveal whether you have any illnesses or disabilities that would result in a significant departure from your normal well-being or level of functioning
Furthermore, the doctor will review your past X-rays and treatment records to determine if you have or have ever had tuberculosis. Additional medical examinations will include review of blood work tests and the presence of required vaccinations.
Grounds for Inadmissibility
Inadmissibility based on medical grounds, medical examinations of foreign citizens, and vaccinations given to foreign citizens are designed to protect the health of American citizens.
Medical examinations and vaccination records provide the USCIS with information that they will use to determine whether a foreign national meets the health-related standards for admission. An applicant may be found inadmissible if they fall into any of the following conditions or scenarios:
- Health-related communicable disease
- Failure to provide proof of vaccinations
- Harmful behavior associated with physical or mental illness
- Drug abuse or addiction
Substance Abuse
Any applicant who is found to abuse drugs will be found ineligible for a green card. If you are currently abusing prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol, you may not qualify for a green card. (Note that marijuana is still an illegal substance under U.S. federal law).
It’s important to keep in mind that USCIS may ask you to take a drug test or verify you have taken a drug treatment program if you have a history of drug abuse.
Applicants classified as drug abusers or addicts may reapply for an immigration benefit if they are in recovery from the substance abuse. The majority of applicants who are found to be drug addicts or abusers are ineligible for a waiver; however, the availability depends on the specific immigration benefit the applicant is seeking. Remember, that many immigration benefits, including applying for a green card, allow for discretionary review by the USCIS or consulate officer – meaning you warrant the favorable discretion of the immigration officer.
Top-Rated Immigration Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ
When you partner with the Milovic Law Firm in Phoenix, AZ for your immigration needs, you become an extension of our legal family. We are compassionate about our clients and aggressively pursue the best possible outcome for them and their families.
If you or a loved one are in need of an immigration lawyer to assist with your green card application, contact us today to book a free consultation with one of our skilled Phoenix immigration lawyers.
