EB-3 Visa
The Immigration Medical Examination
Who may perform it, what it covers, and why doing it too early can mean doing it twice.
- One examination.
- One authorised doctor.
What it is
Every immigrant visa applicant must be examined by a physician before the visa is issued. It is not a general health check and it is not there to judge whether you are fit for the work — it exists to confirm you do not have a condition that makes you inadmissible under US law.
It is scheduled near the end of the process, once a visa number is in sight, because the results have a limited validity period.
Only a physician on the list published by the US embassy handling your case may perform it. A medical from any other doctor, however senior or well qualified, will not be accepted — and you will pay for it twice.
What the examination covers
Medical history
Past and current conditions, hospital admissions and medication you take. Bring what records you have.
Physical examination
A general examination including eyes, ears, heart, lungs and abdomen.
Tests for specified conditions
Screening required under US law, which for adults normally includes tuberculosis and blood tests.
Vaccination review
Your records are checked against the required list and anything missing is offered.
Mental health and substance questions
Asked of everyone. Answer honestly — a disclosed history is handled very differently from a concealed one.
The sealed result
Usually sent to the embassy directly, or given to you sealed. Never open a sealed envelope.
What to take with you
- Your passport, and the appointment confirmation
- Every vaccination record you hold, including childhood ones from home
- Photographs to the specification the physician asks for
- A list of any medication you take, with the doses
- Records of any chronic condition, and any specialist letters
- Spectacles or contact lenses, if you wear them
Timing, and why it matters
The examination has a validity period, and so do some of the vaccinations. Doing it before the embassy asks you to can mean the results expire before your interview, and the whole thing is repeated at your own cost.
Equally, leaving it too late can delay an interview that is otherwise ready to proceed. Follow the instruction from the embassy handling your case rather than a timetable someone else suggests.
A finding does not automatically end an application. Many conditions are treatable, and some inadmissibility grounds can be waived. What causes real damage is concealing something that is later discovered.
This page is general information about a US immigration category, not legal advice. ImmiAxis is not a law firm. For advice on your own case, consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.
New opportunities await
Take the First Step Toward Your U.S. Future
Check your eligibility, read the process end to end, and let ImmiAxis guide you through what comes next.
Get started today- Real opportunities
- Support at every step
- Trusted information
- A brighter tomorrow