Top Diseases That Disqualify You from U.S. Immigration: Latest Update from Immigration Law

A medical examination for U.S. immigration is a mandatory requirement for those seeking a U.S. immigrant visa. Unfortunately, certain health conditions can prevent individuals from immigrating to the U.S.

So, what are the diseases that can disqualify someone from U.S. immigration? In the following article, ImmiPath will reveal these conditions, guiding how to prevent them or plan for timely treatment, ensuring that your U.S. immigration application is not negatively impacted.

1. Diseases That Can Disqualify You from U.S. Immigration

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a list of infectious diseases that may lead to an individual being denied entry into the United States or failing the medical examination required for immigration.

Diseases That Can Disqualify You from U.S. Immigration:

• Active Tuberculosis
• Syphilis (infectious stage)
• Chancroid
• Leprosy (Hansen’s disease)
• Lymphogranuloma venereum
• Granuloma inguinale
• Hansen’s disease (Leprosy, infectious)

In addition, there are 2 general categories of infectious diseases with significant public health implications that apply to applicants outside the U.S., as assessed by panel physicians:

• Infectious diseases that may require isolation, as listed in the President’s Executive Order (currently including cholera, diphtheria, infectious tuberculosis, plague, smallpox, yellow fever, and viral hemorrhagic fevers, among others).
• Infectious diseases that may cause an international public health emergency (PHEIC), currently including poliomyelitis, smallpox, SARS, and influenza.

Besides these diseases, if the applicant shows the following symptoms, they may also be disqualified from entering the U.S.:

1.1 Failure to Provide Proof of Required Vaccinations

If you are applying for an immigrant visa, you are required to have vaccinations for certain diseases, including mumps, measles, rubella, and polio, among others.

To avoid the need for additional vaccinations during the immigration medical examination, you should bring a copy of your vaccination records as evidence of your previous immunizations.

If, during the health examination, you have not received or completed the required vaccinations, you may also be disqualified from U.S. immigration. However, some vaccines may not be required if they are not age-appropriate or medically suitable.

For example, some vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy (referred to as “medical contraindications”). If this is the case, the vaccine requirement will be exempted due to medical contraindications.

1.2 Physical or Mental Disorders with Harmful Behavior

Individuals diagnosed with physical or mental disorders associated with harmful behavior are generally considered inadmissible. Even a past harmful disorder, if there is a potential for recurrence, can lead to inadmissibility.

Harmful behavior is defined as actions that cause psychological or physical injury or pose a threat to the property, safety, or well-being of oneself or others.

For example, a history of sexual abuse or suicidal behavior may result in inadmissibility on these grounds.

In addition, alcohol use disorders are considered physical or mental disorders for determining inadmissibility.

1.3 Drug Abuse or Addiction

A history of drug abuse or addiction, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), can make an individual inadmissible to the United States on health grounds.

Drug abuse is defined as the use of a controlled substance that is not related to medical purposes.

If you are classified as a drug abuser or addict, you can only apply for immigration relief if your condition of abuse or addiction is in remission.

Drug testing is not conducted in every immigration health examination; the examining physician will determine if drug testing is necessary on a case-by-case basis.

For example, if an individual has a history of arrest or conviction related to drugs, the physician may determine that drug testing is required as part of the health examination.

Note that arrest or conviction related to drugs can also lead to inadmissibility due to criminal grounds.

2. Can Someone with HIV Immigrate to the U.S.?

Many people seeking immigration advice from ImmiPath wonder whether individuals with HIV can immigrate to the U.S.? Since January 2010, HIV is no longer classified as a communicable disease of public health significance and is not barred from immigration to the United States.

In addition to questions about whether individuals with HIV can immigrate to the U.S., many also ask whether those with Hepatitis B can immigrate. ImmiPath answers that Hepatitis B and C are not classified as communicable diseases that bar entry into the U.S.

Individuals sponsored for immigration to the U.S. who have one of the conditions that disqualify them from entry will not be granted a visa. However, to obtain a visa, the sponsored individual must be treated for their condition. The treatment duration depends on the type of disease and the location of the applicant’s treatment.

3. Medical Examination & Vaccination for U.S. Immigration

To detect diseases that may disqualify you from immigrating to the U.S., you need to follow the medical examination process, which includes the following steps:

3.1 Step 1: General Medical Examination

After completing the required documentation for the U.S. immigration medical examination, you will need to schedule an appointment with a physician designated by the U.S. Consulate. Some of the required examinations include:

• Blood and Urine Tests: General health screening and medical history review. Individuals over 50 may need an eye exam as well.
• Chest X-ray
• Sputum Test
• ENT Examination: Ear, nose, and throat check-up.
• Tuberculosis Test: Required for applicants aged 2 to 14 years.
• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Tests: Including HIV and syphilis tests.

The results of the general medical examination are usually available within 3 to 10 days.

Note: The validity of the medical examination results is 6 months. If any issues are detected, the physician will provide guidance on necessary treatments.

3.2 Step 2: Vaccination

Vaccination is a mandatory requirement in the U.S. immigration process. Depending on your age and health condition, you will need to receive different vaccinations. Bring your previous medical records and vaccination history with you.

The required vaccinations include polio, tetanus, mumps, diphtheria, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, pertussis, rotavirus, pneumococcal, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).

Once you have completed your vaccinations, submit the yellow vaccination record to the Immigration Health Office to finalize your paperwork.

3.3 Step 3: Bring Medical Examination Results to the Visa Interview

Once you have completed the medical examination and vaccinations, you need to bring the sealed medical examination results, including any tests and vaccination records, to your visa interview.

For additional details, you might want to check information on health insurance for U.S. immigration.

See more: Health Insurance for U.S. immigration

4. Address for Detecting Non-Eligible Diseases for U.S. Immigration

Health checks for U.S. immigration must be conducted at locations designated by the U.S. Consulate. ImmiPath provides the following addresses:

Ho Chi Minh City Area:

Cho Ray Hospital, Immigration Examination Department: 

• 201B Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
• Phone: (84-28) 3856 5703
• 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) 3822 2057 – 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
• Phone: (84-24) 3736 6258 – Fax: (84-24) 3736 6259
• Website: http://vietnam.iom.int/

With the information provided about non-eligible diseases for U.S. immigration, ImmiPath hopes to be helpful to those needing guidance on health checks for U.S. entry.

If you have any questions about vaccination or health checks for U.S. immigration, please comment below. The ImmiPath advisory team will provide enthusiastic support and advice to help you successfully obtain a visa and reunite with your family in the U.S.