Everything You Need to Know About Your Immigration Physical

You’re excited about the prospect of becoming an American citizen, and you’re in the process of obtaining a green card to establish permanent residency. One requirement is an immigration physical.

Board-certified internal medicine physician Dr. Manzoor Kazi at Palm Desert Urgent Care is a civil physician, as designated by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), authorizing him to administer immigration physical examinations. 

Here’s what you can expect at your upcoming immigration exam. 

Why the US requires immigration physicals

Anyone applying for immigration to the US must pass a physical examination. The exam ensures you don’t have communicable diseases that would place others at risk. It’s not a comprehensive physical exam; it focuses only on the specific areas dictated by the USCIS.

Documents needed for an immigration physical

To have an immigration physical, you need to bring various documents to your appointment, including:

• Passport or other government-issued photo identification
• Copy of medical records, including vaccination and hospital records
• Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record)
• List of current medications
• Copy of prior chest X-rays, if you can access them

If you’ve been treated for a disease, but it’s resolved so you’re not a danger to others, bring a letter from your physician explaining your treatment plan.

What happens during your immigration physical

Your immigration physical has four components. 

Physical exam

The physical exam scrutinizes major aspects of your health, including:

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
• Lymph nodes and skin
• Lungs, heart, and abdomen
• Extremities, hands, and feet

This exam isn’t as comprehensive as an annual physical but covers some of the same areas.

Mental health exam

The mental health exam assesses your psychological and emotional health, including your mood, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It includes questions about any harmful or dangerous thoughts, feelings, and behaviors you’ve experienced.

Tests

You undergo several tests to determine whether you have communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea. Tests include a blood test, urine test, chest X-ray, and skin test. 

Review of your medical history 

Dr. Kazi reviews your medical history, which covers past illnesses, vaccinations, surgeries, and hospital stays. He can administer any required vaccinations.

Dr. Kazi also asks about current conditions and treatment plans. The review also includes current and past medications and current and past use of drugs and alcohol.

After your immigration physical

When Dr. Kazi has finished, he completes and signs Form I-693, which you also sign. Dr. Kazi then seals the envelope and gives it to you. Don’t open the envelope. 

You submit the envelope with your other application paperwork (Form I-485) to the address noted on Form I-485. You’ve now completed an important citizenship requirement. 

Call Palm Desert Urgent Care in Palm Desert, California, or book an appointment online today to schedule your immigration physical.