Medical Examination for U.S. Immigration: Latest Procedures, Documents, Requirements, and Costs

You will know what steps the U.S. immigration health examination process goes through, what documents need to be prepared, costs, and examination address if you read the following article of ImmiPath. See it now!

To hold a U.S. immigration visa to reunite with your loved one, you must undergo a medical examination to immigrate to the U.S.

However, the medical examination process to go to the U.S. goes through many procedures and documents that not everyone fully understands and has experience with. 

In the following article, ImmiPath will share with you the process, fees, and vaccination documents to immigrate to the U.S. See now!

1. Why Do We Need to Have Our Health Check to Immigrate to the U.S.?

Medical examination for U.S. immigration is an important step in the immigration process and is a must for all members with sponsorship documents to go to the U.S.

The medical examination for U.S. immigration must be performed by a team of doctors and hospitals regulated by the U.S. Consulate, including several parts:

• Review your health history and vaccination records
• Physical and mental assessment
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Tests for various diseases and illnesses

The purpose of the medical examination to immigrate to the U.S. is to ensure that the visa grantor to immigrate to the U.S. has good enough health, does not suffer from infectious diseases, and is eligible to receive a green card.

Health examinations for U.S. immigration must be performed by qualified doctors and medical centers at the request of the U.S. Consulate.

2. What Documents are Included in the Medical Examination for U.S. Immigration?

To have a successful medical examination to immigrate to the U.S., you need to prepare the following documents:

• Original passport and a photocopy of the photo page
• Yellow vaccination card (if any)
• 2 copies of the interview invitation letter
• DS-260 confirmation page

3. How Much Does It Cost for a Health Check-up and Vaccination to Immigrate to the U.S.?

How much a medical examination costs for U.S. immigration is also a question for many people. Please refer to the following cost:

• Adult: 6,286,000 VND (#275 USD)
• Children 2 – 15 years old: 5,486,000 VND (#240 USD)
• Children < 2 years old: 3,772,000 VND (# 165 USD)
• For fee payment, Cho Ray Hospital only accepts Vietnamese Dong. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) accepts Vietnamese Dong or U.S. Dollars

4. Process of Health Examination and Vaccination Steps for U.S. Immigration

The U.S. immigration medical examination process goes through the following processes:

4.1 Step 1: General health check

Once you have prepared all the documents for a medical examination to immigrate to the U.S., you need to contact the designated examination unit to schedule an appointment.

For the medical examination process to go smoothly, you need to fast and not drink carbonated drinks or alcohol such as soft drinks, alcohol… You will be examined through the following items:

• Blood and urine tests…, review of medical history, physical health, for people 50 years of age and older, additional eye examination is required
• Lung X-ray
• Sputum test
• Examination of ears, nose, and throat
• Latent TB testing for applicants 2 to 14 years old
• Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (HIV, syphilis…)
• General health examination results will be returned within 3 to 10 days

In some cases, it will take more time and if necessary, the health examination unit may send your health examination results directly to the Consulate.

The results of a medical examination in the U.S. are valid for 6 months and if the medical examination results have problems, the doctor will advise on treatment.

For example, if you have some diseases not allowed immigrating to the U.S. such as tuberculosis, syphilis, inguinal granulomatosis, hansen’s, lymphomatoid granulomatosis, chancroid, drugs, alcohol disorders… all need a treatment regimen to be granted U.S. immigration visa issuance.

4.2 Step 2: Get vaccinated

Vaccination will be performed after a health examination, at the International Health Quarantine Center. Depending on each person’s age and physical condition, the doctor will give different types of injections. You need to bring documents of previous health examination and previous vaccination documents.

The following are vaccines that are required to be vaccinated according to general regulations: Polio, tetanus, mumps, leukemia, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, encephalitis, pertussis, Rota Virus, Pneumococcus, Rubella, and Varicella.

After being vaccinated, you send the yellow slip to the Immigration Department to complete the application.

4.3 Step 3: Bring the results of your U.S. immigration medical examination to the interview

After completing the medical examination procedure to go to the U.S., you will bring your documents with tests and vaccinations sealed in an envelope to the visa interview.

5. Some Addresses for Medical Examination for U.S. Immigration Following Regulations

Health examination for U.S. immigration must be performed at locations designated by the U.S. Consulate. ImmiPath points you to some of the following locations:

Ho Chi Minh City area:

Cho Ray Hospital, Immigration Health Examination Department: 

• 201B Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
• Phone: (84-28) 38565703
• Website: http://www.choray.vn  

International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Ho Chi Minh City:

• 1B Pham Ngoc Thach, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Phone: (84-28) 38222057 – Fax: (84-28) 3822 1780
• Website: http://vietnam.iom.int/   

Hanoi area:

International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Hanoi

• 23rd Floor, 72-story Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower, Pham Hung Street, Me Tri Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi
• Tel: (84-24) 37366258 – Fax: (+84.24) 37366259
• Website: http://vietnam.iom.int/ 

6. How Long Does It Take to Receive Health Examination Results for U.S. Immigration?

You will usually receive the results of your health examination within 3 to 10 days. Your results will be sent directly to the Consulate by your doctor.

Health records are made on the web (eMedical), and the examiner receives a piece of paper “Tracking Sheet” which confirms the date the file was completed to bring with him when going to the interview; 01 CD of lung X-ray, Vaccination Card, QFT results. (K-visa holders receive paper documents).

7. Is It Necessary to Buy Health Insurance for U.S. Immigration?

After a medical examination for U.S. immigration and a visa interview, when you arrive in the country, you need to buy health insurance.

Health insurance for settling in the U.S. is understood as health insurance for people who are living and working long-term in the U.S. or who have group E visas (EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 visas).

This type of insurance provides comprehensive medical protection for insured people, helping them access necessary medical services without much financial difficulty. Immigrant health insurance often includes many parts, such as:

• Basic health insurance: This insurance typically covers basic medical services such as outpatient care, preventive medicine, and medications.
• Enhanced health insurance: If you want a higher level of protection, you can choose enhanced insurance plans, including inpatient care and specialized health care services.
• Dental and eye care services: Some plans offer coverage for dental and eye care services, including routine checkups, teeth cleanings, and contact lenses.
• Accident and serious illness insurance: Some insurance plans offer special protection in the event of an accident or serious illness, helping to cover costs related to treatment and recovery.
• Drugs: Insurance may also include partial coverage for prescription or level drug costs.

Most importantly, when choosing immigration health insurance, policyholders need to carefully review the conditions, level of coverage, and network of doctors and hospitals to ensure that they get a suitable plan for individual needs and health status. When immigrating to the U.S., you need to buy health insurance because the cost in the U.S. is very expensive. Having insurance will help you save money.

8. Some Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Examination for U.S. Immigration

8.1. Are children required to have lung X-rays or blood tests?

Chest X-rays & blood tests are usually not required for children under 15 years old.

8.2. What happens if the person doing the medical examination has an intellectual or learning disability?

Applicants with intellectual or learning disabilities must present a statement of their condition and any special educational or supervision requirements.

8.3. What happens if the health examiner has a positive TB skin test result?

Applicants with a previous positive skin test for tuberculosis must provide a certificate from the treating physician (stating the circumstances of the positive test result and specifying any treatment indicated and duration of treatment) to the panel physician.

If the applicant has ever been diagnosed with tuberculosis, the applicant must present a certificate signed by the treating physician, proving that the applicant has received adequate treatment. The certificate must include the date and type of medication taken.

Applicants who have had abnormal chest X-rays should borrow the last X-rays taken and bring them to the board physician. The actual film, not the typewritten report, may be requested to compare with the X-ray film that will be taken during the examination.

8.4. What happens if the applicant has syphilis?

Applicants who have had syphilis must present to the board physician a written certificate, signed by a physician or public health official, proving that the applicant has received adequate treatment.

Applicants who have had a positive VDRL or other blood test for syphilis and have not received treatment must provide a written explanation signed by the applicant’s physician to the board physician.

8.5. If the health examiner is pregnant, does she have to have a chest X-ray?

Pregnant women will have to provide their board physician with consent to undergo a chest X-ray. For the health of applicants and their fetuses, the CDC instructs physicians and board laboratories to provide abdominal and pelvic protection with a double-layer, wraparound lead shield when they receive the chest X-ray.

8.6. What happens if the health examiner has been treated or hospitalized for mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse?

Applicants treated or hospitalized for mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse must present a certificate that includes the diagnosis, duration of treatment performed, and prognosis.

8.7. If the applicant is menstruating, will she have a medical examination?

Yes, an applicant can be tested even if she is menstruating.

8.8. What vaccines are needed when immigrating to the U.S.?

The following vaccines are required for immigration purposes:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B disease
• Flu
• Influenzae type b (Hib)
• Measles
• Meningococcus
• Mumps
• Pneumococcus
• Whooping cough
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• Roseola
• Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
• Chickenpox

For Physicians Committee Technical guidance regarding vaccination requirements, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

With the information shared above about medical examinations for settling in the U.S., ImmiPath hopes it will be useful for those who need experience in medical examinations to go to the U.S.

If you have any questions about the medical examination for U.S. immigration, please comment below the article. ImmiPath’s team of consultants will enthusiastically support and advise you to help you quickly get a visa to fly to the U.S. to reunite with your family and relatives.