What Is a Green Card Medical Exam?

A Green Card medical exam is a health evaluation process every applicant must undergo to obtain their Green Card. The point of the exam is to determine that the applicant is healthy, has no detrimental mental health issues, and won’t be a burden on the state, in addition to preventing possible infectious diseases from spreading in the United States.

How to Get a Green Card Medical Exam?

The how about of getting a Green Card medical exam largely depends on whether you are applying for your Green Card in the United States or from your home country:

• From within the US, you need to find the proper doctors appointed for this type of exam, and you can finish the exam either before or after submitting your Green Card application.
• From outside of the US, you need to contact the nearest US embassy or consulate in your country or current country of residence so they can provide you with the necessary information regarding your medical exam.

Green Card Medical Exam Within the US

If you’re applying from within the US for your Green Card, you can schedule your appointment before or after submitting your application. If you complete your exam before applying for your Green Card, you need to attach the medical certificate with the rest of your application package, also known as concurrent filing.

Please note that in this case, you must complete your exam 60 days before submitting your application. If your exam is finished and the medical certificate is signed more than 60 days before the application date, don’t attach the medical certificate with the application. It’s better to submit it after or bring it with you on the day of your interview.

If you choose to complete the medical exam after filing your Green Card application, you can either send the certificate separately or bring it with you on the day of your Green Card interview. With this option, your medical certificate is valid for four years*.

*Please note that a Green Card medical examination certificate is usually valid for two years, but due to Covid, it has been extended to four, and it’s liable to change as the situation with the virus changes.

Green Card Medical Exam Outside the US

If you’re applying for a Green Card from your home country or current country of residence, you must schedule your appointment only after you’ve received your Green Card interview letter from the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC is a part of the State Department that reviews Green Card applications, and they explicitly state not to schedule a medical appointment until you receive a confirmation on your Green Card interview date.

For a medical exam outside of the US, you need to find your nearest US embassy or consulate where they have listed the approved doctors in your country who can conduct the exam— you can find a list of the embassies here. Then, once you find your doctor, you can set your appointment, and you need to bring your Green Card interview confirmation letter with you. The medical certificate, in this case, will be valid for six months, but in some cases, the certificate can expire in three months, e.g., if you have a specific medical condition.

Can I Go to Any Doctor for a Green Card Medical Exam?

No, you cannot have your usual GP or any other doctor conclude the Green Card medical exam; you must find the approved list of doctors, which can be of two types:

• A civil surgeon. You will visit a civil surgeon if you’re applying for your Green Card from within the US. Your surgeon must be from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approved list of doctors.
• A panel physician. A panel physician will complete the examination if you’re applying for your Green Card from your home country. The corresponding US embassy or consulate must approve the doctor. You can find the list of physicians on each embassy’s website.

What Medical Tests Will Be Done for a Green Card?

During the Green Card medical exam, plenty of questions will be asked regarding your medical history; your doctor will review your medical records and vaccinations. Afterward, the following medical exams will be concluded:

• A tuberculosis test. A tuberculosis test is administered differently depending on whether you apply from within or outside of the US for your Green Card. If you are in the US, your civil surgeon will follow the CDC’s Tuberculosis Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons. The doctor will use an IGRA “interferon-gamma release assay” test. If the test reveals signs of TB, you must go back and do chest X-rays and other tests. If you apply from outside the US, your doctor will follow the CDC’s Tuberculosis Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians, which requires all applicants above 15 to receive a chest X-ray.
• A blood and urine test. A blood and urine test will also be administered to check for syphilis or gonorrhea for all applicants above the age of 15.
• Vaccination screening. The US government has a list of required vaccinations for Green Card applicants. If you have not completed your vaccinations, your doctor will administer the rest of the vaccines. If you have, your doctor will sign the vaccination certificate as complete.
• Drug and alcohol test. Drug and alcohol tests are important determiners that might cause your Green Card application to be denied. Your doctor will also ask questions about your current prescriptions and your previous drug history.

What Happens After the Exam?

After the exam, your doctor will collect the examinations and results in one package and ask you to sign the exam form— you need to sign the form in your doctor’s presence. If you are given a sealed envelope with your records, do not open or break the seal, you need to submit the package as is for your application. You can usually ask them to provide you with a copy of the results so you can keep it.

• If you apply from within the US, you must either send the exam results after submitting your application or with your application, depending on how you scheduled your appointment.
• If you apply from outside of the US— your doctor will give you a sealed envelope so you can attach it to your application, or your doctor will send it directly to the embassy or consulate, depending on their instructions.

How Long Does the Green Card Medical Exam Take?

A medical exam for Green Card applications can take anywhere between an hour or days if you have to go back for follow-up tests. The exam length depends on the guidelines your doctor (civil surgeon or panel physician) follows and your health condition.

Immigration Physical Exam Cost

The average cost of the complete examination may be between $100 and $500, with an average cost of $200. But, the medical exam cost depends on where you complete the exam (within the US or your home country) and whether your insurance can cover the exam.

Can You Fail a Green Card Medical Exam?

You can’t actually fail a Green Card medical exam, there is no pass or fail, but if your exam results show serious health problems, it may affect the decision on your Green Card application.

Common Reasons for Green Card Denial due to Medical Exam

Some of the most common reasons why your Green Card application may be denied due to the results of your medical exam include the following:

• You have an infectious disease. If you test positive for infectious diseases such as leprosy, syphilis, or tuberculosis, you cannot receive a Green Card until your disease is taken care of.
• You have a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Your Green Card may be rejected if you test positive for drug use and alcohol abuse.
• You were diagnosed with a mental illness associated with violence. You won’t receive a Green Card if you had bursts of violence or threatened to harm yourself or others due to a mental condition. The USCIS includes drunk driving in this category as well.
• Your health makes it difficult to work. If you have serious health problems which affect your work rendering it impossible to receive an income, your Green Card may be denied for fear that you will end up a burden on the state. This may not be taken into account if despite your health, you have enough financial means to support yourself or if someone will financially support you.

What Can I Do if My Green Card Is Denied Because of My Medical Results?

If your Green Card application is denied due to the results of your medical exam, (e.g., you tested positive for syphilis, TB, or had a previous history of drug use), you need to submit proof to your examination doctor that those medical conditions have already been treated. In case of mental illnesses, your regular doctor may sign a letter stating that your mental illness is under control and being treated. In this case, you must submit proof of your previous medical treatments and medical history.

You also can apply for a “waiver of inadmissibility” to allow you to enter the US. However, the decision to grant a waiver of inadmissibility is at the discretion of the USCIS in consultation with the CDC.

Medicals for Green Card FAQ

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding medicals for a Green Card application.

Do I Need to Get a Medical Exam for a Green Card If I’m Pregnant?

You still need to complete your medical exam if you are pregnant or on your cycle. This includes having a chest-X ray if required. In case of pregnancy, you need to submit written consent to the doctor you agree to the X-ray, and the doctors are legally bound to provide you with double the protection during the X-ray. However, you may ask to have the chest X-ray completed after you give birth to the baby but before entering the US.

Do Children Need to Complete a Medical Exam for Green Card?

Children also need to complete a medical exam for a Green Card, but depending on their age, they may be excluded from certain parts of the exam, such as chest X-rays or blood tests.

Are Applicants With Cognitive Disabilities Required to Complete a Medical Exam?

Green Card applicants with any developmental, intellectual, or learning disabilities can submit a report of their condition to their doctor in addition to any special requirements they may need.

What Do I Need to Bring on the Day of the Medical Exam?

Here is a list of the basic documents you need to bring with you on the day of your Green Card Medical exam:

• A copy of your medical history.
• Previous chest X-rays (if applicable).
• An official ID such as a passport, driver’s license, travel, or residence permit.
• Your vaccination records (if applicable).
• A letter from your regular GP or doctor outlining your health condition and any treatments you follow (if applicable).
• Form I-693 (if you’re applying from the US).
• Your Green Card confirmation letter (if you’re applying from your home country).

Please note that you may be required to submit additional documentation.

The post Green Card Medical Exam appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

What Are the Differences Between a Green Card and US Visa?

The main difference between a Green Card and a visa is that a Green Card is a permanent residence permit that allows you to become a US citizen. In contrast, a visa is a short-term permit issued for temporary visits. 

There are several other differences between a visa and a Green Card such as:

Differences in Types of Green Card and Types of US Visas

There are four main types of Green Cards that the US issues: 

• Green Card for family purposes. 
• Green Card for employment purposes. 
• Green Card for returning residents.
• Green Card for the diversity visa.

In comparison, the US has over 100 visa categories where some of the most popular visas include:

• Visitor B1/B2 visa. B visas are issued temporarily to allow you to visit the US for recreational purposes or business purposes.
• Student visa F1. A student visa is issued to a foreigner admitted to a US study program— usually valid for a year up to two years after you enter the country.
• Exchange visitor visa J1. The exchange visitor visa is for persons attending an exchange program in the US or taking part in a particular educational program. 

Difference in Processing Fees

The application fee for a US visa is $160— without including processing fees which differ from visa to visa. On the other hand, the filing fee for a Green Card from outside of the US is $1,200, plus additional fees as shown below: 

• Filing form fee: $535
• Biometrics: $85
• Medical examination fee: $200-$500

There might be other expenses you have to pay for your Green Card especially if you get the help of an immigration lawyer with your case.

How Does a Green Card Look Like VS a Visa?

A green card is very similar to an ID in size and form; it’s usually in plastic and has a greenish color— hence the name “Green Card.” A visa is usually a sticker or a stamp attached to your passport. 

Here is a side-by-side comparison of how a Green Card looks versus a visa:

Application Process Differences

The application process is more complicated for a Green Card than a visa. Firstly, to apply for a Green Card, you must have a US sponsor for the permit, while you don’t need a sponsor for a visa. 

Then, you are required to provide a few extra documents for your Green Card than for your visa application. Additionally, you receive an NVC (National Visa Center) package from the US for your Green Card, which is not necessary for a visa. However, both applications are initially submitted at a local US embassy in your country. 

Green Card Validity vs US Visa Validity

A Green Card is valid for ten years from the date of issuance, but if you are a conditional permanent resident, then your card is valid for two years— after which you have to renew your Green Card. 

In comparison, your visa is valid for 180 days— US visas can be issued for ten years with multiple entries, but you are still allowed to stay in the country for only 180 days per entry. 

Green Card Processing Time VS Visa

It takes around five weeks (sometimes more) to process your US visa compared to a Green Card which may take up to three years. 

Traveling with a Green Card VS Traveling With a US Visa

If you hold a Green Card, you can travel freely from the US to other countries, but you must have your card with you along with the passport issued from your home country. Additionally, you visit several countries without a visa as a Green Card holder: 

• Canada
• Mexico
• Costa Rica
• Georgia
• The British Virgin Islands
• Aruba and Curaçao
• The Balkans
• Singapore
• Peru

A US visa is issued to travel to the US. Still, it allows you to visit some other countries.

Find out where else you can go with a US visa.

Green Card VS Visa VS Citizenship

Here are the main differences between a US visa, Green Card, and citizenship:

• A US visa is for short-term visits, and it only offers a pathway to permanent residence in specific cases, i.e., a work visa. 
• A Green Card is a permanent residence permit that allows you to become a citizen in the US after five years of living in the country. 
• US citizenship allows you to become a US national and obtain a US passport. 

Working With a Green Card VS a Visa

You can freely work in the US with your Green Card but not with a visa. You can only work with a US visa if you apply for an immigrant visa that offers a pathway to permanent residence and eventually to citizenship, such as a spouse visa. 

Benefits of Green Card VS Visa

You can benefit from a Green Card in the following ways:

• Have the same rights as a US citizen (without voting).
• Travel freely back and forth from the US. 
• Have the option to become a US citizen after five years. 

The benefits of a Green Card are more significant than that of a visa for those that want to make the United States their permanent home. However, if you do not want to become a permanent resident in the US, then you need a visa. 

The post Differences Between Green Card and US Visa appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.

The Green Card is a document which allows you to move permanently to the US and stay there. With the Green Card you can move to any state in the US, find jobs to work and earn income, as well as settle down with your family.

Additionally, you can also travel in and out of the US. However, you are not allowed to stay outside of the US for more than one year, otherwise your Green Card will expire and you will have to go through the process of applying again.

What are the Types of Green Cards for USA?

There are different types of US Green Cards depending on your situation and how you will obtain it. There are basically four categories of Green Cards, each one with their separate visas and requirements:

• Family sponsored Green Cards – this Green Card is given to you if you have close family in the US and you want to reunite with them. This type of Green Card is given only to immediate family, such as spouses, children, siblings, or parents of a US citizen or a US permanent resident.
• Employment sponsored Green Cards – this Green Card is given to you if you have found a job in the US from your home country. Your employer will pay for the forms and application procedure and will sponsor you to stay in the US. With an employment-sponsored Green Card you are bound to that employer and you must work for that company until your contract expires. Only after your sponsorship conditions are completed, you can find a different job with a different employer.
• Returning resident Green Card – this Green Card is for those who previously had a Green Card but travelled outside of the US and did not come back for more than one year for reasons beyond their control. Reasons beyond your control are if you have been detained in another country or are not being allowed to come back for family or cultural reasons. You must prove that you had no opportunity to come back through various documents to be granted this visa.
• Diversity Visa Green Card – every year the US holds a visa lottery for citizens of countries with low immigration rates to the US. If you apply for this lottery and get a diversity visa, then you are on your way to getting a Green Card.

Do I Qualify to Apply for a Green Card?

For whichever USA Green Card you choose to apply, there are various requirements that you must fulfill. Each US immigrant visa has its own particular set of conditions that you must fulfill, but there are also a few that you must have for each visa, as detailed below:

• You must live in a foreign country – most people seeking a Green Card must apply from their home country. If you are within the US, there are other requirements that you must meet.
• If you are in the US, you must have a dual intent visa – a dual intent visa is one that is temporary, but allows you to apply for a Green Card after a certain period of time. An example of a dual intent visa is the H-1B visa.
• For family-based Green Cards, you must have a family member living in the US – your family member must either be your fiancé/spouse, your child, your sibling, or your biological or adoptive parent. The family member must be a US citizen or a US permanent resident and willing to sponsor your application forms. Additionally, the family member must prove that they are financially able to support you for the first few months after you move to the US, until you find a job.
  • The family member must be at least 21 years old and must have a valid US address – if your family member is under 21 years old, then they are not allowed to sponsor you for a Green Card. Also, your family member must be currently living in the US and present a valid US address where you would also be moving once you get the Green Card.
• For employment-based Green Cards, you must have a job offer – if you have found a job in the US, then you must have proof of it. This includes a signed contract or a signed letter from your employer stating when you will start working after you get your Green Card. Oral agreements are not accepted by any US institution when it comes to Green Cards, so make sure that you have a valid document which proves you have a job in the US.
  • Your employer must meet minimum conditions on financial stability – even if you have a job, you must make sure that your employer has enough money to pay your salary. The US institutions responsible for Green Cards and immigrant visas will request financial statements from the company sponsoring your visa. If the financial statements show that the employer does not have enough money to pay your salary, then you will not get an approved Green Card.
• If you were in the US in the past, you must have respected all laws and regulations and not overstayed your visa.
• You must not have a criminal past.

How to Apply for a Green Card?

After you have gone through the types of US immigrant visas, reviewed the requirements and decided which one you can apply for, you must start the Green Card process. For most Green Card applications, there are a few steps you must take, as follows:

Have a sponsor petition for you

Your sponsor must petition on your behalf – this petition can be from a family member or employer. The form for family-sponsored petitions is Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relatives, while the form for employment-based petitions is Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. The petition must be filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Green Card fee must be paid.

Receive the NVC Package

If the petition is approved, NVC will send you a package – USCIS will go through the petition and will decide whether you qualify. If they approve your petition, your documents will go to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will send you a package to your country of residence. The package will contain all instructions and forms which you must fill out for your application. NVC will not send this package until your priority date is current.

Apply for a visa at the US embassy

You must apply for the visa at a US Embassy – following the instructions from the NVC package, you will pay all necessary application fees and apply at a US Embassy in your country of residence. You will submit supporting documents as well as have your visa interview.

Travel to the US

If your visa is approved, you must travel to the US with your arrival package – if after you have completed all the steps, your visa is approved, the US Embassy will give you an arrival package. You cannot open the arrival package but must bring it with you when you first travel to the US. Only a US immigration official at a port of entry is allowed to open it and decide whether you are allowed to enter the US or not. Remember that even if you have a visa, it does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the US. The immigration officials at any US port of entry have the authority to decide.

Once in the US, you must file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status to USCIS. This form is the one which will get you the permanent residence card. After USCIS processes your request for one to four weeks, you will get your Green Card in the mail.

Traveling Abroad as a Green Card Holder

As a green card holder, you will have a restricted period within which you can remain outside the US. The standard period you can travel abroad is limited to one year. Though the duration of this period depends a lot on whether you intend to become a naturalized citizen or not.

Read: Countries That Green Card Holders Can Travel to Without a Visa

On the other hand, whether you can enter other countries visa-free or not it all depends on your nationality, and the visa policy between your home country and destination country. I.e. if you are planning to visit the Schengen countries in Europe, your nationality will determine whether you will have to apply for a Schengen Visa from the US or not.

Is Health Insurance for Green Card Holders Mandatory?

No, having health insurance is not mandatory for citizens or immigrants. However, it is strongly recommended to have some kind of coverage due to the high costs of healthcare in the US. Just a consultation with a doctor can reach hundreds of dollars, whereas hospitalization can set you back thousands of dollars per night, without including the cost of the medical treatment itself.

Here you can find more information about Health Insurance plans for Green Card holders in the United States.

What Are the Differences Between Green Card and a US Visa?

The difference between a Green Card and a visa is that the Green Card is permission to stay in the US permanently, while a visa is of temporary nature.

The differences between a visa and a green card are more than the similarities. As said above, the main thing you need to know is that an immigration visa can lead to a green card, while a green card can lead to a US citizenship, which is the highest status a foreigner can obtain in the US. However, a green card can be obtained in other ways too. Below find the differences between both:

The form

A Green Card is issued in the form of a green plastic photo identification card whereas a visa is issued in the form of a stamp or sticker affixed to a traveler’s passport.

Validity

A Green Card is Permanent, which means it does not expire, though it needs renewal every 10 years. Whereas, a visa is temporary but it still can be extended for another limited amount of time.

Working

Green card holders are allowed to work. On the other hand, visa holders are not entitled to work if they are not on a specific type of visa work.

Living in the US

Green Card holders should be careful and not use this document as a multiple-entry visa, since their status may be revoked if they spend a lot of time outside the US, and use it as a second home. Whereas, visa holder, depending on the visa, may be entitled to enter the country once, or enter as many times as they want.

Similarities Between a Green Card and a Visa

In order to understand the differences between a Green card and a US visa it is best to know their similarities first, which are not that many:

• Firstly, both a visa and a green card are issued by the United States Civil Immigration Authorities
  Secondly, both a visa and a green are issued to a foreign citizen.
• Green Card holders and most Visa holders (aside of those entering the US under purposes as tourism, health treatment, training etc.) are allowed to work in the US.
• If being found guilty of committing crimes the green card or visa would be revoked and the foreigner would be deported.
• None of them are allowed to vote.

The post Green Card appeared first on Visa Consulate - Visa Information For Any Country.