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USCIS Compliant Physicals

USCIS Compliant Physicals

If you are applying to become a lawful permanent resident, one of the requirements for the application process is a physical that establishes whether or not you are admissible to the United States on public health grounds. The physical by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is required for any person seeking adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. The physical must be administered in the United States by a Civil Surgeon.

The USCIS physical process is straightforward. It is designed to screen people for potentially infectious diseases. It includes a physical exam, tests for tuberculosis (including skin tests and/or x-ray chest exams), and a blood test for syphilis.

Because the goal of the physical is to screen for diseases that could potentially endanger public health, the list can change over time. A current list of up-to-date requirements is available on the CDC website. The list of diseases always includes: tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, and Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy). In addition, it can include quarantinable diseases, which can be designated by Presidential Executive Order. Examples of quarantinable diseases include: cholera, smallpox, plague, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and pandemic flu. The list may also include diseases that are considered worldwide or international public health emergencies. People may be able to get medical waivers specifically for the purposes of treatment.

Vaccines are another component of the physical. The required vaccines include: mumps, measles, tetanus, rubella, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza type B, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, varicella, influenza, and pneumococcal disease. If the vaccines are given in a series, only the first in the series is necessary. You can request a vaccine waiver based on religious or moral convictions, but you must apply for that application.

Not every doctor can give the USCIS physical. They have to be qualified as Civil Surgeon. You can find more information on this here.

When getting your physical, you need to have the Civil Surgeon complete the I-693 Medical Examination Form. You can find it on the USCIS website. Your completed I-693 form has to be stamped, sealed and signed by a Civil Surgeon, and given to you in a sealed envelope for you to provide with your paperwork.