As part of your application to receive citizenship or a residency visa, the United States requires a general medical examination. So, suppose you are preparing to start life as an American citizen, you will need to know what immigration physicals are about and what is expected of you before the medical exam.
What Does An Immigration Physical Involve?
The essence of an immigration physical is to make sure you are in the right physical state. This exam is necessary to ensure both your health and that of the general public.
The physicals will also verify whether you have been vaccinated against infectious diseases and other illnesses. Here are some things you must do and avoid while preparing for your immigration physicals.
Dos Before Your Immigration Physicals
1. Ensure You Have The Correct Paperwork
The most important thing you should do while preparing for your exam is obtaining and coming along with all the correct forms or paperwork.
Some of these forms include:
- Your complete vaccination records
- A copy of your medical history
- Copies of any previous chest X-rays (if there are any)
- A signed letter from your regular doctor showing the treatment plan for any health issues you might have
- A government-issued identity card, e.g., passport, driver’s license, work permit, or travel permit
- Proof of medical insurance (if applicable)
- Medical exam fee payment (you will need to check with the doctor’s office before your scheduled appointment for the immigration physical exam cost and viable payment options)
- Unsigned copy of Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record)
The last form is where the physician will document your exam results and is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The form can be downloaded here.
2. Prepare To Be Honest With Your Physician
During your immigration physicals, your physician will ask you a host of questions concerning your personal health history, where you must be truthful. Feel free to talk about past illnesses and hospital admissions as these details are needed to fill your document.
Your physician will request that you undergo a general physical exam, including a chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, and a skin test to check for tuberculosis.
3. Have Your Proof Of Vaccinations
As mentioned above, you need to bring all your vaccination records along with you to the physicals. USCIS requires that you are vaccinated against the following diseases to keep you and your new community safe.
- Measles
- Mumps
- Polio
- Rubella
- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
- Haemophilus influenza type B
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Meningococcal disease
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Varicella
If you have not been vaccinated for one or more of these diseases, your physician may administer them at an additional cost.
4. Drink Lots Of Water
Your physicals will take a take considerably shorter period if you drink plenty of water before your appointment. In addition, you would be required to produce a urine sample during your test; being well hydrated makes this easier. Having a hydrated system also helps your doctor take your blood without any hitch.
5. Prepare For Your Physical Exam; Dress Comfortably
Since you would be taking medical checks encompassing height and weight, blood pressure, lung function, substance abuse, STDs, as well as vision and hearing assessments, it is recommended that you wear clothing in which you would be comfortable.
Don’ts Before Your Immigration Physicals
1. Don’t Be Anxious; Get A Good Night Rest
The perfect way to pass a blood pressure test is to relax, and getting enough sleep before your physicals is a great start. Being nervous won’t do you any good.
Proper rest relaxes and regulates your stress hormones and also reduces your blood pressure, putting you in an excellent condition for your physicals.
2. Avoid Stressful Exercises
Do not indulge in any physically stressful activity just before your medical exams, as this could impact the results of your physicals. Instead, endeavor to rest well during the night and morning before your tests. Your heart rate and blood pressure may increase because of enhanced physical exercise.
3. Don’t Eat Just Before Your Exams
Health experts recommend fasting for at least twelve hours before a physical exam. This is vital to prevent spiked blood sugar and blood pressure. You can eat well on the night before your slated appointment date, just enough to sustain you until your assessment is over.
4. Avoid Salty and Fatty Food
Food with too much salt and fat will affect your cholesterol level and blood pressure. Therefore, it is best to keep such foods off your menu list for at least three days before your evaluation. If you can manage, you can even extend your abstinence to a week.
5. Avoid Alcohol And Cigarettes
It would help if you refrained from smoking before your medicals to keep your blood pressure down. It is also advisable to avoid alcohol entirely as it leaves you dehydrated, making it hard for the physician to draw your blood.
At First Care Medical Center, we have been authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to complete immigration physicals. Do schedule an appointment with us today to get started!