When you apply for a permanent residence status or adjustment of status for United States, you have to clear immigration medical exam, conducted by USCIS approved civil surgeon. USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has designed an immigration medical exam in association with CDC (Centers for Diseases and Control). Only USCIS approved civil surgeon can conduct the immigration medical exam. You can find more information on USCIS official website.

Immigration Medical Exam consists of full body check up, few tests related to communicable diseases, a mental and physical evaluation and few vaccinations. The basic purpose of conducting immigration medical exam is to know that a person is admissible on grounds of public health and safety.

The Immigration Medical Exam is the second last step of long, tiring Green Card process and you need to be careful so that you don’t fail to clear it. Even a very small mistake may shatter your dream to be a permanent resident of United States.

Below are the some advices you need to remember while appearing for Immigration Medical Exam.

1. Read about Immigration Medical Exam: Most of the applicants suffer in medical exam due to lack of knowledge. There are so much written about it. You can surf blogs, social pages, articles, USCIS web portal to gain information related to Immigration medical exam.
2. Hire an Immigration Lawyer: it is advisable to hire a legal advocate who can help you to clear your medical exam or you may hire a lawyer to simplify whole green card process. It is proven that the chances of getting permanent resident status are more when you are standing next to your lawyer.
3. Take precautions while hiring a civil surgeon doctor: Your immigration medical exam is totally dependent on your doctor. You have to take care while choosing a civil surgeon. You can check the list of civil surgeon from USCIS web portal. Ask for testimonials from previous customers if a doctor has any.
4. Don’t make a surgeon your friend: During an exam, answer all questions truthfully but don’t disclose anything which is not asked by civil surgeon. It is not advisable to be friendly with your doctor. Sometimes it may possible that your doctor become informal with you to provoke you to tell things related to exam indirectly. Be alert.
5. Carry legal, proper identity card: This is the most common mistake occur by applicants. Make sure that your photo id is legal and not expired before the exam date.
6. Carry Medical History documents: this is advisable if you have any medical history which is particular related to tests conducted in medical exam, carry the medical documents related to it.
7. Fill your particulars error-free in form i-693: In the form i-693, an applicant has to write his personal details. Make sure that you write this portion error free. You may fill the form by typing also to avoid any human error.

Once the exam is done, a civil surgeon will give you a sealed envelope carrying your filled i-693 form. Don’t accept it if it is unsealed. USCIS will not accept unsealed envelope. Attach an envelope with your application letter and patiently wait for your interview call.