Every person who wants to immigrate to US has to go through medical examination. If the person is undergoing consular processing, this medical examination can ONLY be done at the doctor/clinic/hospital authorized by particular US embassy/consulate the applicant is going for consular processing. Medical examination can not be done in US or any doctor/clinic/hospital not authorized by US embassy/consulate in the applicant's home country or even if they are authorized by another US embassy/consulate where applicant is not going for consular processing.

The examination and immunizations they give conform to the standards and terminology prescribed by the United States Public Health Service (USPHS).

Please note that vaccination done in USA/home country may or may not be valid as that depends upon the type of vaccine taken (some can be taken only once in lifetime, some need to be taken every few years, some need to be taken in multiple doses and sometime interval between doses) and the doctor/hospital you are visiting for medical examination. In any case, you should carry records of all the vaccination you have with you.

You are also responsible for paying for any additional tests that may be required by the doctors. Normally, children under 15 years of age are not required to undergo chest x-rays, blood tests, or the HIV anti-body test, but they must undergo immunizations and a general physical examination.

The medical reports are valid for a period of one year from the date of your medical examination. The examination must be repeated if the reports have expired or will expire prior to your entry into the United States.

A blood test to check for HIV is required as part of your medical examination if you are over the age of 15. HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is the name given to a group of illnesses that may occur in persons affected with HIV. Infection with HIV causes a defect in a person's natural immunity against disease. This defect leaves infected people vulnerable to serious illnesses that would not usually be a threat to anyone whose immune system is intact. This test is not to diagnose AIDS, but to detect antibodies to the virus. If the result is positive, it does not necessarily mean that you have AIDS or will get it. The results of your test will be provided to a consular officer; also, it may be necessary to report the results to the health authorities in the applicant's country.

Each applicant for the medical examination must submit

• his/her passport,
• 3 recent identical passport size photographs and,
• and the Consulate's appointment letter

to the hospital.

The applicants should submit all their old medical/vaccination records to the doctor at the time of the medical examination.
Vaccination Requirements

• India
  • Mumbai (Breach Candy, Lilavati, Hinduja)
    
    
  • New Delhi
    
    
  • Chennai
    
    
• Other Countries

Medical examination results are reported on Form DS 2053 (Formerly OF 157), along with vaccination supplement form to report the results of the vaccination assessment.

Further details
Medical details are same for immigrant visa applicants as well. However, instead of Form I-693, Form DS-2053 is used. Instead of Civil Surgeon, Panel Physician conducts the examination.

9FAM consular directives

Technical instructions for panel physicians

• Addendum 1
• Addendum 2