Obtaining a green card can be quite a long process. In addition to the mountain of paperwork you will need to submit to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will have to undergo a medical examination which is required for the non-citizen spouse to seek adjustment of status based on marriage. The thought of a medical examination sounds concerning to some applicants, as it may be unclear what the examining physician is looking for.
You may be afraid that you will “fail” the examination and not be allowed to remain in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. While there are certainly situations where a non-citizen spouse’s medical condition could affect the adjustment of status application negatively, more often than not, the non-citizen spouse is able to “pass” the medical examination.
The purpose of the required medical examination is to confirm that the non-citizen spouse is in generally good health. If the non-citizen spouse has an illness that is treatable, the non-citizen spouse may need to undergo medical care following the adjustment of status process in order to get better. If the non-citizen has some sort of disease, virus, infection, or other medical condition that is a threat to public health, then there may be grounds for denying the non-citizen’s spouse request to remain in the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
After applying for adjustment of status based on marriage, the non-citizen spouse will need to schedule an appointment with a physician that is designated a “civil surgeon” by USCIS. You can locate civil surgeons close to where you live by going to the USCIS website, or consulting with an immigration attorney who will have the information more readily available and can explain the process to you in further detail. Civil surgeons are licensed physicians, and receive continuous immigration medical training.
Medical Examination Results
After a non-citizen spouse has undergone the required medical examination, the civil surgeon will report the results on a Form I-693 (“Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status”). You are able to find this form online, but every USCIS civil surgeon should have a copy of this form as well. After the form is complete, it is submitted to USCIS.
Most non-citizen spouses undergo the medical examination after applying for adjustment of status based on marriage. In such cases, the medical examination results are valid forever while the application for adjustment of status is pending. If a non-citizen spouse chooses to undergo the medical examination prior to applying for adjustment of status based on marriage, the results are valid for one year prior to the application date.
The medical examination results are confidential and only used for immigration purposes. However, if the medical examination results indicate the non-citizen spouse may be a threat to public health, the civil surgeon has the authority to notify public health officials. To find out what may be considered a public health risk and to learn about the medical examination process generally, you should seek the advice of a skilled immigration attorney who can help you with the adjustment of status process.
Contact the Immigration Attorneys of Geygan & Geygan, Ltd. Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or your spouse is seeking adjustment of status based on marriage to obtain a green card and become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you should be aware of each and every requirement that must be met prior to an application being approved. The immigration attorneys of Geygan & Geygan, Ltd. have the skill and experience necessary to ensure you are completing your adjustment of status application accurately, and will thoroughly explain the application process to you, including what to expect during the required medical examination. Allow our immigration attorneys to help you become a lawful permanent resident. Contact Geygan & Geygan, Ltd. today to schedule a free consultation by calling our office at (513) 791-1673 or for a free report please click here.