The Medical Examination

Immigrant Visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination and certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa.

The medical examination consists of a chest X-ray and blood test, which includes testing for HIV infection (AIDS) and venereal disease. The blood test and X-ray are generally not required of persons under the age of 15 on the date of the appointment. Pregnant women may forgo the X-ray if they so wish. However, they will be required to have an X-ray in the United States after the birth of the child.

On the day of the medical examination, the physician will be required to verify that the immigrant visa applicant has met the vaccination requirement, or that it is medically inappropriate for the applicant to receive one or more of the following vaccinations: Mumps; Measles; Rubella; Polio; Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids; Pertussis, Influenza Type B (HIB), Hepatitis B, Varicella, Pneumococcal, Influenza, Rotavirus; Hepatitis A; Meningococcal MCV and Human Papilloma Virus. In order to assist the panel physician, and to avoid delays in the processing of an immigrant visa, all immigrant visa applicants should have their vaccination records available for the panel physician's review at the time of the immigrant medical examination. Visa applicants should consult with their regular health care provider to obtain a copy of their immunization record, if one is available. If you do not have a vaccination record, the panel physician will work with you to determine which vaccinations you may need to meet the requirement. Certain waivers of the vaccination requirement are available upon the recommendation of the panel physician.

Note: K visa applicants will not be required to meet the vaccination requirements at the time of the visa interview. They will however be required to meet the requirements at the time they apply for an adjustment of status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The medical examination is performed at one of two medical centers in London. The medical examination cannot be performed by the applicant's own physician.

The medical examination must take place before the visa interview. The medical results will be couriered to the Embassy within 2 – 3 workdays of the examination.

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