Preparing for the immigration physical exam

Preparing for your immigration physical exam

Every one entering the United States on an immigrant visa requires an immigration physical exam.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD and Dr. Manbir Takhar know what is required for every type of immigration physical exam. 

What can make you ineligible to immigrate?

There are four primary conditions which can make you ineligible for admission to the United States.  These include having a communicable disease, not having all the required vaccinations, being a drug abuser or addict, and having a current or past physical or mental disorder associated with harmful behavior.

There are other medical conditions or behaviors which may be classified as Class B.  These include mental or physical abnormalities, serious/permanent disabilities, or diseases and waivers may be granted for Class B medical conditions.

Preparation for the immigration physical exam

In preparation for your immigration physical exam you should make your appointment as soon as possible.  Complete the form I-693, the Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status and bring this form with you to your appointment.  You should also bring proof of any vaccinations and health records.

During the immigration physical exam

The doctors at Germantown Primary Care Associates provide the most comprehensive and thorough immigration physical exams in Montgomery County.  During the immigration physical exam, the doctor will examine you looking for certain mental and physical health conditions.  You should answer all questions honestly.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown are the recognized experts in the immigration physical exam and will be happy to help you with this process.

There are certain people who need an immigration physical exam

When an immigration physical exam is required

There are certain categories of individuals applying for a visa to enter the United States who must first have an immigration physical exam.  This physical exam must be conducted by a doctor appointed as a U.S. Civil Surgeon.

Adjustment of status or immigrant visa

Applicants for an adjustment of status or for an immigrant visa must undergo an immigration physical exam.  This type of immigration physical exam must include a vaccination assessment.   Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, MD has certified physicians who can perform the immigration physical exam.  Anyone in Montgomery County can make an appointment with one of our doctors for an immigration physical exam.

V and K nonimmigrant visas

A K nonimmigrant visa and a V nonimmigrant visa both require an immigration physical exam. While these individuals must all undergo an immigration physical exam, they do not need to comply with vaccination requirements during the physical. 

Refugee status

Individuals who reside outside of the United States and who are applying for admission as refugees must undergo an immigration physical exam.

Refugee adjustment of status

Individuals who are granted refugee status in the U.S. become eligible to apply for Adjustment of Status one year after they are granted refugee admission.   When applying for their Adjustment of Status, these individuals will not have to undergo another medical exam, unless an issue resulting in inadmissibility was discovered during their initial exam

Germantown Primary Care Associates and their staff are qualified to perform any type of immigration physical exam.  Dr. Manbir Takhar, the medical director at Germantown Primary Care Associates is a certified U.S. Civil Surgeon.  Call her today to make an appointment for an immigration physical exam.

A current immigration physical exam is required for all immigration visa applicants

Every immigrant visa applicant to the United States must have a current immigration physical exam

The immigration physical exam determines whether or not a person has any health conditions which may need attention prior to the person immigrating.  There are two physicians certified to perform the immigration physical exam at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland.

Conditions of admissibility

Civil surgeons and panel physicians perform the immigration physical exam and will classify any medical conditions into Class A or Class B.  Anyone determined to have a Class A medical condition will be ineligible for admission to the United States.  There are four Class A medical conditions which make an applicant inadmissible for entry to the United States based on medical grounds.  These are having a communicable disease, being a drug addict or abuser, currently or in the past having a mental or physical disorder with indications of harmful behavior and not having the required vaccinations. 

Certain are other medical conditions, including mental or physical abnormalities, diseases, or permanent/serious disabilities may be considered Class B conditions and may be waivered. The U.S. Civil Surgeons at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can identify any medical conditions during the immigration physical exam and determine if they are Class A or Class B.

Before the immigration physical exam

It is important to make an appointment as soon as possible so the application is not delayed.  All applicants should bring a completed form I-693, along with a government issued photo ID, proof of vaccinations, and their medical history to their appointment.  At Germantown PrimaryCare Associates, patients scheduled for the immigration physical exam should also bring payment for services.

There are physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland who are certified to perform the immigration physical exam.  Anyone needing an immigration physical exam should give them a call today. 

Certain medical conditions identified during an immigration physical exam can make you ineligible for a green card

What the immigration physical exam looks for

During an immigration physical exam the civil surgeon or examining physician is looking for certain conditions which can make you ineligible for your green card.  These conditions include:

·         A physical or mental disorder, along with a history of behavior that is associated with this disorder which may pose or already has posed a threat to the safety, property, or welfare of yourself or others and where this behavior seems likely to recur and lead to other types of harmful behavior.

·         A physical or mental disorder, along with a history of behavior that is associated with the disorder and which may pose or already has posed a threat to the safety, property, or welfare of either yourself or others.

·         A communicable disease which is considered to have public health significance.  The primary diseases an immigration physical exam looks for are active tuberculosis, infection leprosy, and venereal diseases. 

·         Addiction to or abuse of drugs.

Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can provide you a complete immigration physical exam.  Dr. Manbir Takhar, the Chief Medical Officer at Germantown Primary Care Associates is an appointed U.S. Civil Surgeon, authorized to conduct immigration physical exams.

How to submit your immigration physical exam results

If you are still overseas when applying for your green card provide your documentation to the U.S. consulate or to the U.S. embassy. 

If you are already in the United States, your immigration physical exam physician will complete the Form I-693 and give it to you in a sealed envelope.  Do not open this envelope, but take it with you to USCIS when you have your green card interview. 

Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland provide the best primary care in the area.  They can also help your with your immigration physical exam, so give them a call today.

When you must get an immigration physical exam

When is an immigration physical exam required?

The immigration physical exam is required for anyone seeking residence status in the United States.  The exam must be performed by a designated Civil Surgeon.  The immigration physical exam can identify any medical conditions which may require follow-up after you emigrate or if you apply for an adjustment of your status to permanent residence.   Dr. Manbir Takhar, Chief Medical Officer of Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland is a designated Civil Surgeon who can perform your immigration physical exam.

What is required during the immigration physical exam

During your immigration physical exam, you will be required to undergo both a physical and mental status evaluation.  You will also be asked for proof of certain vaccinations and if necessary, the Civil Surgeon performing your exam will administer the required vaccinations.  These vaccinations include measles, mumps, polio, rubella, tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria toxoids, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, meningococcal, and influenza type B.  Dr. Takhar and her staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates understand all of the requirements of the immigration physical exam and each and every rule set out by U.S. public health.  Dr. Takhar, our Civil Surgeon will take your entire medical history and will need to see proof of vaccinations.  There may also be a need for a chest x-ray to look for TB or other types of pulmonary conditions. 

Bring your documents with you to your immigration physical exam appointment

Bring the following items with you to your appointment for your immigration physical exam:

·          I-693 form, printed out from the USCIS website.  We cannot accept copies.

·         A valid form of government photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport

·         Your immunization record

You should also schedule your appointment so you can return 48 hours later to have your TB test read.   Once your immigration physical exam results are complete, you must personally carry these results in a sealed envelope to USCIS and Homeland Security.  Do not open the envelope yourself.

The medical staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland are experts at conducting immigration physical exams.  Give them a call today to schedule your immigration physical exam.