If you’re coming to the U.S. as a new immigrant or employee, or you’re an employer who hires from another country, CHA can help. Our team provides required immigration (Green Card) physicals for the Dept. of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS or INS). Medical interpreters are available at no extra cost, and our clinic at Assembly Square in Somerville is easy to get to by public transportation.
CHA doctors who perform immigration physicals are Civil Surgeons, as required by law. They are selected by the USCIS to conduct medical exams for people who are non-residents of the United States and are applying for permanent residence, or who are otherwise required to have a medical exam.
Immigration Physicals – What You Need to Know
Immigration exams take 1-2 visits to our clinic. Your paperwork is usually ready within 2 weeks of your first visit. Our staff will record your exam results on Form I-693 for you to return to the USCIS.
Form I-693 | Instructions
What to bring to your exam
- A current, government-issued picture ID like a driver's license or passport
- If necessary, someone who can read and write English to help you complete Form I-693
- Hospital or clinic record (must be in English), including:
- Any past immunization/vaccination records
- Proof of prior treatment for TB or other infectious disease
- Any mental health records
Exam requirements
All of the below are required to complete Form 1-693, and can be done at CHA. Note that some items have an added cost.
- Physical Exam
- QuantiFeron (IGRA) testing
- Syphilis blood test
- Gonorrhea urine test
- Tetanus vaccine (added cost)
- MMR vaccine (1), or titers. If not immune, MMR vaccine will be necessary (added cost)
- Hepatitis B series (3), if 18 years old or older (added cost)
- Varicella vaccines (2), or titers. If not immune, varicella vaccine will be necessary (added cost). Documented history of chicken pox is acceptable.
- Flu vaccine, if exam is during flu season, typically Oct. 1 - April 1 (added cost)
- Pneumococcal vaccine, if over the age of 65 (added cost)
- Meningococcal vaccine, if 18 years old (added cost)
After the Exam
Once the immigration exam is completed, CHA will certify Form I-693 with the test results, exam findings and vaccination history. This will be placed in a sealed envelope and provided to you, usually within two weeks.
DO NOT OPEN THE SEALED ENVELOPE. You will need to give the sealed envelope to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. Turn in the envelope with your immigration application
Locations
Immigration Physicals are available at the CHA Assembly Square Care Center in Somerville.