Preparing for Your Immigration Physical

If you’re seeking to become a permanent resident or naturalized citizen of the United States, you likely have a lengthy to-do list that ranges from organizing paperwork to scheduling your biometrics appointment and final interview with a government representative.

One requirement that’s important is undergoing an immigration physical exam, which is required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

At One Health Medical Care in Reston, Virginia, Dr. Mingliarti Tjahjana offers immigration physicals along with education about how to prepare, so you can obtain your green card or citizenship without incident. Her thoroughness, experience with the process, and willingness to answer all your questions and concerns can make your immigration physical go smoothly.  

Is an immigration physical similar to a wellness exam?

An immigration physical is a public health measure; the U.S. government wants to ensure you meet the health benchmarks for citizenship. In this way, it’s quite different from your average annual wellness exam. 

A routine check-up involves providing an overall health evaluation, measuring your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol, monitoring any chronic conditions you live with, gauging what preventive health screenings you may need, and more.

In contrast, your immigration physical assesses things like:

• Whether you have any contagious diseases that may affect public health
• If you’re living with a substance use disorder or use substances on a regular basis
• If you’ve received necessary vaccines and can prove it with documentation
• If you have any mental/physical issues that are associated with harmful behaviors

Dr. Mangliarti informs you if she discovers any issues, because they can cause you to fail your immigration physical. However, she’s also able to guide you toward strategies to address them — you don’t have to abandon your quest for permanent residency or citizenship. 

And don’t forget: Since an immigration physical and standard wellness exam are fundamentally different, it’s still important to schedule a yearly exam apart from your immigration physical.

Immigration physical requirements and preparation 

The specific requirements for your immigration physical are based on what U.S. immigration law calls for. Paperwork is an important part of the exam — you must bring along all necessary documentation, including your vaccination records, a valid passport, and a tuberculosis certificate. 

To see a full list of all the documentation needed, navigate to our website’s immigration physical information page. You can also contact our office before your visit to ensure you have everything that’s required.  

What to expect during your immigration physical visit 

We make your immigration physical appointment as smooth and efficient as possible. Typically, your visit lasts 45 minutes to an hour. After evaluating your documentation and your medical history, Dr. Mingliarti examines your ears, nose, throat, and abdomen, gives you a blood test for syphilis, and provides any vaccines you may need, among other things. 

If you pass your exam, Dr. Mingliarti signs all the necessary paperwork for USCIS. 

Are you ready to set up your immigration physical appointment at One Health Medical Care? Call our Reston, Virginia, office today, or use our online booking tool at your convenience.