Many people are very eager to immigrate to the United States, whether as a new citizen or a permanent resident. While the immigration process can be complicated and may take an extended period of time, most feel that it is worth the effort. If you are immigrating to the U.S., one of the things that you will need to do is have an immigration medical exam. An immigration medical exam is necessary to determine if a person's health meets the standards of the government in order to protect public health. Use the following tips to get an immigration medical exam:

Make Sure You See the Right Doctor

An immigration medical exam is not the same as simply seeing a primary care physician for a physical. In order for your immigration medical exam to be valid, you need to see a doctor that has specifically been approved by the government to perform this type of exam. If you are already residing in the United States on a visa, there are a number of doctors who are approved to do immigration medical exams, and most cities and metro areas have a number of options to choose from. In the event that you're going through the immigration process outside of the U.S., contact the embassy or consulate to learn about a doctor near you that you can make an appointment with.

Understand the Fee

An important thing to note is the fact that insurance typically does not cover the cost of an immigration medical exam, so you will need to be prepared to pay out of pocket. There is no standard rate for an immigration medical exam, so each doctor will set their own fees. Thus, it is a good idea to call a few different doctors in your area to find out how much they charge. The cost of the exam will be less expensive if you are current on all immunizations and don't require new vaccinations.

Be Prepared with the Proper Documents

Before you go to your appointment for your immigration medical exam, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents. You will need a government-issued photo I.D., as well as vaccination records and a list of any medications you are currently taking. If you have ever had tuberculosis or syphilis, you will need to bring a certificate signed by a doctor showing that you were treated by a medical professional. 

Look around to find where you can get an immigration medical examination. 

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