The Need of Blood Tests for Visas and Immigration

Blood tests for Immigration and Visas

The Need of Blood Tests for Visas and Immigration

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Immigrating to the United States is a major decision, and requires successfully meeting many criteria in a long – sometimes bewildering – process. For example, you will need to have a medical examination before being granted a visa. Both adults and children coming into the country must undergo a medical examination overseen by a doctor approved by either the U.S. Consulate or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This exam will include blood tests, the types and purpose of which we will cover here so that you will be prepared for what to expect.

Immigrant visa applicants must complete (schedule and attend) their medical examinations with authorized physicians before their scheduled interview dates. If you complete your medical examination after your visa interview, processing of your immigrant visa case will be delayed until the U.S. Embassy or Consulate has received your medical examination results. For this reason, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their medical exams prior to their visa interviews.

Find the list of authorized physicians for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply at List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

What type of blood tests are included in the visa examination?

Your physician will be looking for leprosy, tuberculosis, syphilis and gonorrhea. According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, medical professionals are required to perform a blood test for syphilis and a urine test for gonorrhea for all green card applicants over 15 years of age. In your medical examination, your doctor will be looking for any disease that would pose a threat to public health. But if you have a non-communicable disease (such as diabetes), you should be cleared to enter.

Your government-appointed medical professional will also be checking to ensure you have been vaccinated for tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, hepatitis and influenza, among others. The USH&P frequently asked questions forum is an excellent resource for the many questions regarding medical exams that immigrants may have throughout the process.

What does the examination involve?

The medical examination for a green card takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and you will be required to bring a photo ID, passport or driver license, your vaccination records, I-693 form and new patient medical forms. The exam will include an overview of your medical history, including hospitalizations.

How can you prepare for the examination?

Preparing for your medical examination is paramount. Berardi Immigration Law provides a detailed guide of what you can expect. You should first decide your payment method, as most health insurance plans do not cover immigration medical exams. Then prepare the documents you will need for the examination, including your vaccination records, X-rays, medical history records, passport, etc. On the day of your exam, be sure you don’t have a cold, flu or other viral or bacterial illness. If so, you will need to reschedule.

The blood test for your exam will be ordered by your authorized physician.

Serving Central Florida for 20 years, Medical Arts Laboratory is a state-of-the-art clinical lab, certified by CLIA, AHCA and AAB.​ We are also a full-service independent clinical reference lab with an extensive test menu. If you are worried about having a blood test performed, view our blog post, which covers what to expect. Contact us to learn more.

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