Passing a medical examination is part of the application process for all United States immigration visas as well as some U.S. non-immigration visas. However, it is important to understand that only a small number of diseases or health conditions may affect your ability to immigrate and that most medical conditions are not an issue as long as you are undergoing treatment.
Here is a closer look at the small number of medical issues that could hinder your plan to immigrate to America:
- You have a certain infectious disease that is considered a public health hazard. The most notable disease is active tuberculosis, though others include syphilis, Leprosy, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, and chancroid. As of a few years ago, HIV/AIDS is no longer considered an infectious disease that is of public health significance.
- You have a physical or mental health issue that could harm others. In this case, your medical examiner will be most interested in whether you have harmed yourself or others in the past or whether you have a condition that is associated with harmful behavior.
- You have a drug or alcohol addiction. While most diseases are acceptable, a dependence on drugs or drug abuse is often not. Recovering addicts should present information about their treatment and recovery.
- You haven’t been vaccinated against certain diseases. If you haven’t received basic vaccines, such as those for measles, mumps, and rubella, you cannot gain access to the United States. Luckily, this is an easy issue to fix.
If you have a chronic disease or health issue that is not listed above, you will likely be cleared for entry as long as you have evidence that your condition is under treatment and under control. Issues like high blood pressure, asthma, depression, or diabetes are not normally problems.
