When applying for a United States green card and permanent resident status, part of the U.S. immigration process is a medical examination sometimes called the green card exam or immigration physical. This exam is to ensure the applicant doesn’t have health conditions that pose a risk to public health.
Green card examinations differ from conventional medical examinations in that they require a civil surgeon designated by the U.S. government to perform the exam. Fortunately, Great City Medical in New York City offers a range of primary healthcare needs, as well as the required green card medical exam NYC for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Dr. Mikhail Akselrud is a qualified green card doctor and USCIS civil surgeon authorized to perform USCIS immigration medical exams for green card applicants and eliminate any public health grounds for denying requests based on a medical condition.
When filing your Form I-485 Adjustment of Status, you are required to submit a medical exam Form I-693. The physical examination for your green card isn’t much different than a conventional medical exam from your primary care physician, but it must be done by a doctor authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), called a civil surgeon. The examination will take a minimum of two visits, with two or three days in between for the laboratory to perform and report blood test results.
First Visit
During your first visit to the civil surgeon’s office, you’ll receive a thorough examination of your eyes, ears, nose, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, extremities, skin, lymphatic system (lymph nodes), and gastrointestinal system. Screening for physical or mental illness or mental disorders that may lead to harmful behavior or substance/drug abuse is also included.
Blood will be drawn to aid in testing for communicable diseases that pose a public health risk, including gonorrhea, Hansen’s disease, tuberculosis, and syphilis. Hansen’s disease is tested by observation, and gonorrhea is diagnosed using a urine test. The remaining illnesses are diagnosed using a blood test, such as the QuantiFERON (IGRA) blood test for tuberculosis, and a urine sample. If the IGRA test is found positive, a chest x-ray is required.
With Form I-693, you are required to submit proof that all vaccination requirements for your age, which include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria (TD), varicella, meningococcal, and influenza. If some of the required vaccinations have not been done, you must receive all missing vaccinations necessary to meet the requirements. Also, all applicants need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you have done some vaccinations in the past, you must provide your medical records, confirming the vaccinations. If you no longer have the vaccination records, you can have blood titers drawn to test your immunity to MMR and varicella. Blood titers measure antibodies, which will verify immunity to certain diseases, so you will not need to repeat this required vaccination again. If the blood titers results show that you are not immune, you will need obtain a booster shot.
Second visit
Two to three days after your first visit your blood results will be ready, which will be used to complete Form I-693. In the event that your blood titers are low or something is abnormal, we will inform you of what needs to be done prior to your visit. In most cases your second day is an administrative visit, which is used to finalize the paperwork.
For your green card medical exam, you need to bring with you:
You may eat or drink prior to the green card physical exam.
On average, Great City Medical charges $130 for this exam, but we also offer affordable pricing options. The total price for the Green card medical exam depends on a patient’s health record, or any medical problems. If you have any questions on pricing, please read our immigration doctor page.
For your Adjustment of Status petition to the USCIS, the civil surgeon will give you the completed Form I-693 in a sealed envelope with the doctor’s official stamp, which you must submit with your Adjustment of Status petition. The envelope must remain sealed.
You will also receive a copy of the form to bring to your immigration attorney or to keep for your personal records. You will also receive copies of your report of medical examinations and vaccination records.
Your green card medical examination is valid for up to one year from the date it was completed.
If you are looking to apply for a green card, contact us to schedule your appointment to complete your I-693 medical exam. If you have any additional questions regarding the medical exam for a green card petition, contact us now!
If you are looking to apply for green card, contact us to schedule your appointment to complete your I-693 medical exam! If you have any additional questions regarding the medical exam for green card petition, contact us now!
Monday 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 9am – 5pm
Thursday 9am – 6pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
68 East 131st Street, Suite 100
New York, NY 10037
Phone: (212) 281-8600
Fax: (212) 281-8601
Copyright © 2020 Great City Medical. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2020 Great City Medical. All Rights Reserved.