Why Your Immigration Medical Exam May Require Blood Tests
If you are preparing for a U.S. immigration medical examination, you may be wondering why blood tests are sometimes part of the process. Blood testing is an important part of certain immigration medical examinations because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires civil surgeons to screen for specific communicable diseases according to established medical guidelines.
What Are the Blood Tests For?
One of the most important reasons blood may be collected during an immigration medical exam is to screen for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can sometimes occur without noticeable symptoms.
Under current CDC Technical Instructions, applicants 18 years of age through 44 years of age must be tested for syphilis. Applicants younger than 18 or 45 and older generally require testing when there is a reason to suspect infection.
Syphilis screening involves laboratory testing of a blood sample. If a screening result is reactive, additional testing may be required to help determine whether an infection is present and whether it has been previously treated.
Does Everyone Need the Same Tests?
No. The laboratory tests required during an immigration medical examination can depend on your age, medical history, symptoms, and the CDC requirements that apply to your examination.
For example, gonorrhea screening is also part of the immigration medical examination process. Under current CDC guidance, applicants 18 through 24 years of age must be tested for gonorrhea. Gonorrhea testing generally uses a urine sample or another appropriate specimen rather than a blood test.
Your civil surgeon will determine which tests are required based on the current CDC Technical Instructions.
What About HIV Testing?
HIV testing is not a required part of the U.S. immigration medical examination. CDC guidance states that HIV infection was removed from the list of conditions that can make someone inadmissible for immigration purposes in 2010.
If an applicant would like HIV testing, it may be performed with the applicant's consent, but it is not required as part of the immigration medical examination.
Why Is Testing Done During the Exam?
The immigration medical examination is designed to evaluate applicants for certain conditions that are considered important to public health under U.S. immigration regulations.
The civil surgeon is responsible for performing the required examination and laboratory testing and documenting the appropriate results on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
Can I Bring Blood Test Results From Another Doctor?
For certain required immigration tests, previous or outside laboratory results may not be accepted.
For example, CDC instructions specifically state that syphilis testing must be ordered by the civil surgeon at the time of the immigration medical examination and performed using the required laboratory procedures. Testing performed elsewhere or before the civil surgeon's examination may not be accepted.
This is one reason it is important to ask your civil surgeon what testing is required before scheduling laboratory work on your own.
What Happens If a Test Is Positive?
A positive or reactive result does not automatically mean that your immigration medical examination is over.
Depending on the test and the circumstances, additional testing, medical evaluation, documentation of previous treatment, or treatment may be required. The civil surgeon will follow the applicable CDC Technical Instructions and document the findings appropriately.
Preparing for Your I-693 Medical Exam
Before your appointment, bring your:
- Valid photo identification
- Passport
- Vaccination records (if applicable)
- Documentation of previous medical treatment or laboratory results, if applicable
- Any other documents requested by your civil surgeon
Most importantly, do not assume that you need to obtain laboratory tests on your own before your appointment. Testing requirements can vary, and your civil surgeon can determine which tests are required for your specific immigration medical examination.
Important Reminder
Immigration medical examination requirements can change. The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace instructions from a USCIS-designated civil surgeon or USCIS.
For the most current requirements, applicants should consult a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and the latest CDC Technical Instructions.