According to immigration law, to apply for a United States green card and obtain permanent resident status, part of the U.S. immigration process is a medical examination 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 health care 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 civil surgeon authorized to perform immigration medical exams for green card applicants and eliminate any public health grounds for denying requests based on a medical condition.

When completing your I-693 form, you are required to have a medical exam for green card. The physical examination for your green card isn’t much different than a conventional exam from your primary care physician, but must be prepared by a civil surgeon who is authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 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 at the doctor’s office, you’ll receive a thorough examination of your eyes, ears and nose, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, extremities, skin, lymphatic system (lymph nodes), and gastrointestinal system.

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. If the IGRA test is found positive, a chest x-ray is required.

You will also receive any required vaccinations necessary to meet vaccination requirements for your age, which may include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria (TD), varicella, meningococcal, and influenza.

If you have had vaccinations in the past but 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 this required vaccination again. If the blood titers results show that you are not immune, you will need obtain a booster shot.

Screening for physical or mental illness or mental disorders that may lead to harmful behavior or substance/drug abuse are also included.

Second visit

Two to three days after your first visit your blood results will be ready, which will be used to complete form i693. 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.