Part of the process of applying for a green card is submitting to a medical examination. Without the examination, you could be considered inadmissible. If you have an examination scheduled for the future, here is what you need to know about it:

What Does the Examination Cover?

To prepare for the medical examination, it is important to understand exactly what the government is looking for. There are several health concerns the doctor will screen for, but he or she will be most concerned with whether you have a communicable disease, such as tuberculosis, that could endanger public health.

In addition to communicable diseases, the doctor will review your mental health history. Some mental health disorders could lead to you being considered inadmissible. For instance, if you have a mental disorder that would cause you to harm yourself or others, you could be denied entry based on your medical examination.

A history of drug use could hurt your chances of entering or remaining in the country legally. Whether you have received treatment and if your use resulted in criminal charges will matter. In some instances, waivers are sometimes given that would still allow a person to enter the country despite a history of drugs. However, depending on the circumstances, you could be rejected for a waiver.

How Should You Prepare for the Examination?

One of the most important steps you should take before the medical examination is to ensure you have received all the immunizations that are required by the government. The list can change periodically, but as of August 2017, vaccinations for mumps, measles, and polio are among the required.

In addition to taking this step, you need to collect information that explains any history of harmful behavior you have had towards yourself or others. For instance, if you were treated by a psychiatrist, a notarized statement explaining that you are no longer a threat could help your case.

You should also receive certifications from your doctors attesting to your good health if you were treated in the past for communicable diseases. The doctors will need to list the treatment that you underwent and certify that it was successful in curing you of the diseases.

Before your examination, take the time to review your visa application to ensure you have the evidence needed to support all the information that is entered on the form. Once the examination is finished, you can submit your results to the embassy, consulate, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Contact a medical center like John R. Vigil, MD Medical Examination Services for more information and assistance. 

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