What are INS physicals?
An Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) physical, also called an immigration physical, is an examination that you need as part of your requirements to become a legal citizen of the United States. Your examination results show that your physical and mental health are sound enough to keep the public safe.
Several factors related to your health might prevent you from passing your INS physical. Infectious diseases and mental health conditions associated with risky behavior could put the public at risk. To pass your physical, you should also have up-to-date immunizations against certain diseases.
The civil surgeons at the Industrial Medical Group of Santa Maria Valley can provide your INS physical according to all legal requirements. You should bring along records of your immunizations, past medical history, and Form I-693. The team fills out Form I-693 to report your results.
What does an INS physical involve?
Your INS physical involves several easy tests and procedures. It includes a standard physical exam, during which your provider checks your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and other vital factors of your health. Your INS physical appointment also involves:
- Tuberculosis testing with Quantiferon Gold blood test, and if needed a chest X-ray )**note: TB skin testing no longer allowed for INS physicals)
- QuantiFERON Gold Tuberculosis (TB) blood test
- Chest X-ray
- Immunization updates if you need them
Several members of the team at Industrial Medical Group of Santa Maria Valley are bilingual. They can answer your questions in either English or Spanish regarding the physical and the tests you need.
Which immunizations do I need to pass an INS physical?
One of the primary requirements to pass an INS physical is having up-to-date immunizations. If your vaccinations are not up-to-date or you simply don’t have all that you need, the Industrial Medical Group of Santa Maria Valley team can update them during your INS physical appointment.
You need the following immunizations to pass your immigration physical exam (some of these are dependent on the applicant’s age):
- Influenza
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Tdap (tetanus and whooping cough)
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Polio
- Rotavirus
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Meningococcal
- Haemophilus Influenzae type B
Up-to-date immunizations don’t just keep you safe from certain diseases; they also help keep the public, particularly at-risk populations, safe. If you already have up-to-date vaccinations, you should bring a written record of them to your appointment.
Passing your INS physical is an essential step toward becoming a legal resident of the United States. To book your INS physical exam, call the Industrial Medical Group of Santa Maria Valley, or schedule an appointment online today.
