Immigrant Visa Interview


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Medical Examination

General Questions

Medical Conditions/History

Physicians

Vaccinations


General Questions

Are children required to have chest x-rays or blood tests?

Children under 15 years of age do not routinely require a chest X-ray or blood tests.

What if the applicant is mentally retarded or has a learning disability?

Applicants with mental retardation or learning disabilities must present a report outlining their problems and any special requirements as far as education or supervision that may be required.

What is the legal basis for requesting medical information for visa applicants?

Medical eligibility is a requirement under INA Sections 212(a) and 221(d). Failure to provide this information may delay or prevent the processing of an immigrant visa. If an immigrant visa is not issued, all medical eligibility forms will be treated as confidential under INA Section 222(f).

What should the applicant expect at the medical examination?

On the day of the medical appointment, the applicant must bring his/her passport (or other photo identification) and appointment letter to the doctor’s office.

The medical examination will include a medical history, physical examination, chest X-ray and blood tests for syphilis and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

The physical examination will include at a minimum: examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, skin and external genitalia.

In some countries, the panel physician will forward the results to the Embassy/Consulate directly. In other countries, the panel physician will provide the applicant with his/her medical exam results in a sealed envelope. If the panel physician provides the applicant with the results, the applicant must bring the x-ray and the unopened medical report to the interview.

Note: The medical examination is not a full and complete physical examination. Its purpose is to screen only for certain medical conditions relevant to U.S. immigration law. Although in the course of the examination, the panel physician might uncover other matters related to your health, the physician is not required to examine you for any conditions except those the U.S. Public Health Service specifies for U.S. immigration purposes, nor is the physician required to provide you with any diagnosis or treatment. As such, you should not consider this examination to be a substitute for a full physical examination, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by your primary health care provider.

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Medical Conditions/History

What if the applicant had a positive tuberculosis skin test?

If the applicant ever had a positive skin test for tuberculosis, please bring a certificate from the applicant’s doctor, outlining the circumstances surrounding the positive test result and, indicating what, if any, treatment was prescribed and for how may months. If the applicant has ever been diagnosed as suffering from tuberculosis, the applicant must present a written certification, signed by the applicant’s doctor, proving that the applicant was adequately treated. The certificate must include dates and types of medications taken. If the applicant ever had an abnormal chest X-ray, please arrange to borrow the last X-ray films taken and bring them to the medical appointment. The actual films, not the typed reports, may be required to compare with the X-rays that will be taken at the medical appointment.

What if the applicant had syphilis?

If the applicant had syphilis, the applicant must present the panel doctor with a written certificate, signed by a doctor or public health official, proving that the applicant was adequately treated. If the applicant ever had a positive VDRL or other blood test for syphilis, and was not treated, please bring a written explanation signed by the applicant’s doctor.

If the applicant is pregnant must she have a chest x-ray?

United States Public Health Service regulations allow for an exemption of the chest x-ray requirement for pregnant women. If the applicant is pregnant and does not wish to have the X-ray, a temporary exemption will be granted. To be granted the exemption, the applicant must bring to the examination written certification of her pregnancy signed by her personal physician or obstetrician.

What if the applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior?

If the applicant has had any history of harmful or violent behavior resulting in injury to people or animals, or harm to inanimate objects, the applicant must provide information that will allow the doctors to determine if the behavior was related to any psychiatric or medical problem, or to drug or alcohol use. Harmful behavior includes attempted suicide or self-harm, no matter how minor in nature.

What if the applicant has been treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness, or alcohol or drug abuse?

Applicants treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse must present written certification, which must include the diagnosis, duration of treatment rendered, and prognosis.

What if the applicant is being treated for a chronic medical condition or is taking medication on a regular basis?

Applicants being treated for chronic medical problems, or those taking medications on a regular basis, should be familiar with the medical conditions that they are suffering from, and the names of the medications they are taking. If the applicant is not sure of the diagnoses, please have the doctor prepare a certificate outlining the problems, the current treatment, and prognosis. Please bring a list of any medications that the applicant may be taking.

Can the applicant have a medical examination if she is having her menstrual period?

Yes, the applicant may have the examination even if she is having her menstrual period.

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Physicians

Can the applicant have his/her physician perform the medical examination?

The medical examination may not be done by the applicant’s family physician or any other doctor not listed as an approved panel physician.

Can the medical examination take place in the United States if the applicant is pursuing a visa application abroad while physically present in the United States?

Visa medical examinations may not be conducted in the United States. An alien pursuing a visa application abroad while physically present in the United States must have the medical examination conducted by a panel physician who has been designated by the visa issuing post to conduct medical examination of aliens in the country in which the alien applies for a visa.

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Vaccinations

What vaccinations are required?

The following vaccinations are required for immigration purposes:

  • Acellular pertussis
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Influenza type b (Hib)
  • Measles
  • Meningococcal
  • Mumps
  • Penumococcal
  • Pertussis
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella
  • Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
  • Varicella
  • Zoster
For the Panel Physician Technical Instructions relating to the vaccination requirements, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

What do I do if the applicant does not have a vaccination record?

The panel physician will work with the applicant to determine which vaccinations the applicant may need to meet the requirement.

What if there is a medical reason for the applicant to not receive a listed vaccination?

Only a physician can determine which of the listed vaccinations are medically appropriate for the applicant, given the applicant’s age, medical history, and current medical condition. Certain waivers of the vaccination requirement are available upon the recommendation of the panel physician.

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