The process for coming into the US legally is long, complicated, and often overwhelming. But getting your immigration physical can be one of the simplest parts if you’re completely prepared.
Dr. Michael Skardasis and our team at Optimal Performance Medicine know that this process can be equally exciting and stressful. That’s why our staff is happy to be involved in this life-changing process with you.
We’re USCIS-certified, and we specialize in helping people just like you fulfill the health requirement necessary to achieve their goal of permanent, legal residence in America.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing for your immigration physical.
While it’s important to schedule regular check-ups with your primary care physician, your immigration physical looks a bit different than a regular exam.
Before the US government can issue you a green card, you have to be cleared by a USCIS-certified civil surgeon like Dr. Skardasis. His main goal during an immigration physical is to make sure that you don’t have any health concerns that might make you inadmissible.
For example, you might not be eligible for a green card if you’re a carrier of a communicable disease like tuberculosis or have a mental or physical health condition that endangers your life or someone else’s.
Another issue that can delay or deny your green card is missing specific vaccinations. Dr. Skardasis checks to make sure that you are up-to-date on vaccinations, including:
Should your vaccines be missing or expired, Dr. Skardasis provides standard vaccinations in his office. He also conducts routine blood work to check for any potential health issues like tuberculosis.
After he determines that your health information is accurate and updated, Dr. Skardasis completes and signs your USCIS medical form. He seals it in an envelope to include with your other immigration paperwork.
The more prepared you are when you arrive for your physical, the easier it is for Dr. Skardasis to conduct his exam and complete your paperwork. Here are a few things to keep in mind when getting ready for your appointment.
To complete your physical, we’ll need your official identification paperwork. We accept passports and other official documents to verify your identity.
Dr. Skardasis discusses your medical history with you, especially your vaccination history. Come to your appointment with your vaccination records, list of medications, and any other documents or certificates related to both your mental and physical health history.
Your immigration physical will be done in English. If you can’t speak English or don’t feel comfortable answering questions in English, make plans to bring a translator to your appointment.
If you’d like more information about your immigration physical or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Skardasis, request an appointment at our Woodstock, Georgia office over the phone or online.
