How to Prepare for Your Immigration Physical

Are you in the process of immigrating to the United States? An immigration physical is an essential step in the process. However, it can be stressful, and it’s normal to have questions about what to expect.

At AssociatesMD, our staff is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to conduct immigration medical examinations in our Ft. Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines locations.

Once you’ve scheduled your immigration physical appointment, it’s time to start preparing. Here’s a guide on what to do next, from collecting necessary documentation to learning about the physical exam.

Gather the documentation you need

Your immigration physical is just one step in the immigration process, and having the right documentation helps everything go smoothly and efficiently. Here’s a list of documents you’ll need to gather and bring to your appointment:

Government-issued identification

Bring a valid passport or another form of government-issued ID. This is necessary to verify your identity.

Vaccination records

Collect your vaccination records to show compliance with required immunizations. If you don’t have complete records, you may need to receive additional vaccines as part of your immigration physical.

Medical history

Be prepared to review your medical history, including information about chronic illnesses, surgeries, or previous hospitalizations. Be sure to tell us details about any medications you are currently taking.

Form I-693

Download and print Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, from the USCIS website. Fill out the relevant sections, but do not sign the form until you are instructed to do so at your immigration physical.

Insurance information

Bring your health insurance information to the office on the day of your appointment. While some insurance plans cover immigration physicals, not all do, so consider checking with your provider beforehand.

Learn what to expect at your physical

Knowing what to expect during your immigration physical can help you feel more comfortable and prepared. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at our front desk and provide your identification and documentation. We’ll review your documents to ensure everything is in order.

We take you to an exam room and start your comprehensive physical. There, we check your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. We also measure your height and weight and listen to your heart and lungs.

We’ll discuss your medical history and any ongoing health concerns during your appointment. We conduct an assessment of your mental health along with your physical health to identify any health issues that could impact your immigration application.

A few tests are required as part of immigration physicals, including screenings for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases. We review your vaccination records and administer any needed vaccines you’re missing.

After your exam, we complete and sign Form I-693. We will seal the form in an envelope that you must submit to USCIS. Do not open this envelope because it must remain sealed to be valid.

Preparing for your immigration physical involves careful planning and organization, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Our team at AssociatesMD is here to support you every step of the way. For more information and to schedule your immigration physical, call us at 844-954-3627 or request an online appointment.