The green card medical test is an important aspect of the application procedure. It verifies that candidates are eligible to become permanent residents of the United States. Certain health issues may make you “inadmissible” to the United States and prevent you from entering the country. With this, we’ve noted a couple of things to remember about immigration doctor’s fees and medical exam costs.
Getting a green card medical exam
A medical examination is an important element for the green card application process. Usually, this is called an immigration medical exam and most of the urgent care centers in the US offer this service. Only civil surgeons are qualified to perform immigration physicals in the US while panel physicians perform immigration medical exams in US embassies and consulates abroad.
They are required to follow specific procedures prescribed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Such procedures include applicant identification, applicant eligibility, and the medical exam itself. An immigration medical exam will involve the following:
- Physical exam
- Review of medical history including immunization and vaccination records (required vaccines, like a flu shot, are checked)
- Screening for drugs and alcohol
- Lab tests for various ailments and diseases (chest x-ray, blood tests, tuberculosis testing, etc.)
Results are given to you by the doctor in a sealed envelope. Do not open or tamper with it. Submit it directly to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Immigration doctor costs
The cost of an immigration medical examination varies greatly depending on the country in which it is done and the doctor who does it. Prices range from $100 to more than $400.
The US government does not have a predetermined charge. The fee will vary depending on the doctor you see. Please call a few doctors to find out how much the immigration medical exam costs.
You may also need to consider the exam’s indirect expenses. In some situations, you may need to arrive early in the interview city for the medical examination.
Warning signs of fake immigration doctors
- Any establishment that advertises a whole flat charge that includes all testing, such as RPR, immigration gonorrhea test, USCIS TB test, and adjustment of vaccination status.
- If the medical examiner requires original documents only.
- Immigration medical offices that do not do several USCIS medical examinations every week. Form I-693 is continuously changing. So, you’ll want to deal with a facility that has a qualified staff that can correctly and thoroughly fill out the form. In the last two years, the USCIS TB Test standards have altered, and a particular immigration gonorrhea test is now required.
- Insurance coverage for USCIS medical exams is mentioned in a few places. Medical expenditures incurred as a result of your immigration status are usually not covered, and you may inquire about this with your health insurance provider. Any minor blunder might result in your green card being denied or your citizenship being withdrawn in the future due to healthcare fraud.
- Civil surgeons perform the USCIS medical exam in one or two days, according to the website. It requires at least two visits since blood and urine tests can take up to 3-4 days. Any practice that completes the paperwork faster may not be employing a reputable lab or performing a bedside test.
