Our Chicago Immigration Attorneys Answer Your Questions

The process of applying for a green card requires that an applicant receives a medical examination from an approved medical professional. If you have questions regarding the application and medical examination process, contact our Chicago immigration attorneys today.

What is the Green Card Medical Examination?

The medical examination required when you apply for a green card is not necessarily a physical or simple checkup. It is a medical screening necessary to determine if it is safe to allow you into the United States permanently.

What is Involved in a Green Card Medical Examination?

When performing a green card medical evaluation, an approved doctor will conduct the following:

• Examination of your medical history as well as immunization records
• Evaluation of your physical health, which will include an examination of the eyes, ears, heart, lungs, nose, throat, lymph nodes, skin, and abdomen
• Screening for drugs and/or alcohol
• Test for different diseases and illnesses, including a blood test for syphilis and a chest x-ray for tuberculosis (note that children under the age of fifteen are not required to have blood tests and chest x-rays taken)

Can I Have My Regular Doctor Perform the Green Card Medical Examination?

There are two types of doctors that are approved to conduct medical examinations of green card applicants. The type of doctor you will see depends on whether you are applying for a green card from within the United States or abroad.

If applying from within the United States, you will have to make an appointment with  a civil surgeon assigned by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If applying from abroad, you will have to make an appointment with a panel physician that is approved to conduct the medical examination by the United States Department of State.

When Should I Schedule My Medical Examination?

If you are applying for a Green Card from within the United States, you may schedule your medical examination before or after you submit your Green Card application. When scheduling the examination before submitting the application, you may submit your results concurrently with the application. The medical examination results, shown on Form I-693, must be signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days prior to submitting the examination. If you schedule your medical examination after submitting your green card application, you may bring the results to your interview or submit them once you have conducted the examination.

Note that the Form I-693 is only valid for two years after it is signed. Therefore, USCIS must issue a decision on the underlying benefit application no more than 2 years after the date of the civil surgeon’s signature. Otherwise, you will need to submit a new Form I-693.

If you are applying for a green card from abroad, you may schedule the examination only once you have received your Green Card Interview Appointment Letter from the National Visa Center.

What If I Have More Questions Regarding the Medical Examination?

If you need further assistance in applying for a green card and scheduling a medical examination, contact the Chicago immigration attorneys at Minsky McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. Schedule your consultation by contacting us today.