Eating Disorders Are Not Grounds of Inadmissibility

Eating disorders — including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and other specified feeding or eating disorders — are not grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. The medical grounds of inadmissibility related to mental health are limited to physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction.

A diagnosis of an eating disorder, by itself, does not constitute a ground of inadmissibility. The civil surgeon evaluates whether a mental or physical disorder is currently associated with behavior that has posed or is likely to pose a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the applicant or others. An eating disorder diagnosis, without such associated harmful behavior, will not result in a finding of inadmissibility.

The Mental Health History Portion of Form I-693

The immigration medical examination includes a mental health history component. The civil surgeon will ask questions about your psychiatric history, including whether you have ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition, whether you have received mental health treatment, and whether you are currently taking any psychiatric medications.

You should answer these questions honestly. If you have a current or past diagnosis of an eating disorder, you may disclose it when asked about your mental health history. The civil surgeon is not evaluating whether your eating disorder is well-controlled or making a judgment about your overall mental health for immigration purposes — they are assessing whether the specific legal standard for inadmissibility is met.

The civil surgeon is a licensed physician designated by USCIS. They are trained to apply the specific legal standards for inadmissibility and are not making a general assessment of your fitness or worthiness as an immigrant. The mental health evaluation is a structured component of the examination with specific criteria.

What the Civil Surgeon Evaluates

For a mental health condition to be a ground of inadmissibility, the civil surgeon must find that the applicant has a physical or mental disorder and that the disorder is currently associated with harmful behavior, or that the disorder has been associated with harmful behavior in the past and is likely to recur. "Harmful behavior" in this context means behavior that has posed or is likely to pose a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the applicant or others.

Eating disorders, while serious medical conditions that can have significant health consequences, are generally not associated with the type of harmful behavior that meets this legal standard. The civil surgeon will assess your history in the context of these specific criteria. If you are currently in treatment and your condition is being managed, this is relevant context for the civil surgeon's evaluation.

If you have concerns about how your eating disorder history will be evaluated, you may wish to consult with an immigration attorney before your appointment. An attorney can help you understand the legal standards and prepare for the mental health history questions.

What to Disclose

Answer the civil surgeon's questions honestly and completely. If you have a current or past diagnosis of an eating disorder, disclose it when asked about your mental health history. If you are currently in treatment — whether with a therapist, psychiatrist, dietitian, or eating disorder specialist — mention this as well.

You are not required to volunteer information that is not asked, but you should not misrepresent your medical history. Providing false information on Form I-693 or during the immigration medical examination can have serious immigration consequences, including a finding of inadmissibility for fraud or misrepresentation.

If you are taking psychiatric medications for your eating disorder — such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, or other medications — include them on your medication list. Bring a complete list of all current medications to your appointment.

How Eating Disorders Are Documented on Form I-693

If you disclose an eating disorder diagnosis, the civil surgeon will document it in the mental health history section of Form I-693. The civil surgeon will then evaluate whether the condition meets the legal standard for inadmissibility. If the condition does not meet that standard — which is the case for the vast majority of applicants with eating disorders — the civil surgeon will note the diagnosis but will not make a finding of inadmissibility based on it.

Form I-693 is sealed and submitted to USCIS as a confidential medical record. The documentation of your eating disorder history is factual and does not automatically trigger any adverse immigration action. USCIS adjudicators review the form in its entirety, and a documented eating disorder that does not meet the inadmissibility standard will not negatively affect your case.

Confidentiality and Your Rights

The information you provide during the immigration medical examination is confidential and is used solely for immigration purposes. The civil surgeon and clinic staff are bound by medical privacy obligations. Form I-693 is sealed and submitted to USCIS as a confidential medical record and is not shared with other government agencies for purposes unrelated to your immigration case.

You have the right to bring a support person to your appointment if that would help you feel more comfortable. If you have concerns about discussing your eating disorder history, you may find it helpful to speak with your treating provider before your appointment to prepare for the questions you may be asked. You may also consult with an immigration attorney if you have legal concerns about how your history will be evaluated.