Long COVID Is Not a Ground of Inadmissibility

Long COVID — also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or post-COVID condition — is not a ground of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. The medical grounds of inadmissibility are limited to communicable diseases of public health significance, failure to meet vaccination requirements, physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction.

Long COVID does not fall into any of these categories. Whether you experience fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, chest pain, joint pain, or other persistent post-COVID symptoms, these conditions will not affect your eligibility for a green card or other immigration benefit. The civil surgeon will document your history, but the diagnosis carries no immigration consequence.

COVID-19 Vaccine Is Still Required

The COVID-19 vaccine is currently on the USCIS vaccination requirement list, as determined by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Prior COVID-19 infection — even if you had severe illness or are experiencing long COVID — does not exempt you from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

If you have not received the required COVID-19 vaccine doses, you will need to receive them at or before your immigration medical exam unless you qualify for a medical waiver. A history of COVID-19 infection does not constitute a medical contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccine. If you believe you have a medical reason to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine, discuss this with the civil surgeon and bring documentation from your treating physician.

If you received COVID-19 vaccines outside the United States, bring your vaccination records — including the vaccine name, manufacturer, lot number, and date of administration — to your appointment. The civil surgeon will review your records to determine whether your prior vaccinations satisfy the current requirements.

Chest X-Ray Findings in Post-COVID Patients

The immigration medical examination requires a chest X-ray for all applicants aged 15 and older. The chest X-ray is evaluated primarily to screen for signs of tuberculosis (TB). COVID-19 pneumonia can leave residual changes on a chest X-ray — such as ground-glass opacities, consolidation, fibrotic changes, or pleural thickening — that may persist for months or years after acute infection.

If you had COVID-19 pneumonia or were hospitalized for COVID-19, inform the civil surgeon before the X-ray is taken. Providing prior chest imaging — such as a chest X-ray or CT scan taken during or after your COVID-19 illness — can be extremely helpful. Comparison imaging allows the civil surgeon and the radiologist to distinguish stable post-COVID changes from any new or concerning findings that might warrant further evaluation.

Post-COVID chest X-ray changes are not findings of inadmissibility. They are documented as part of your medical history. If the civil surgeon needs additional information to rule out TB or other communicable diseases, they may request further evaluation. Providing prior imaging and documentation of your COVID-19 history can help streamline this process.

What to Disclose

Inform the civil surgeon of your COVID-19 history, including the approximate date of your illness, whether you were hospitalized, and any ongoing symptoms you are experiencing. If you have a formal diagnosis of long COVID from a physician, disclose this as well.

If you are taking medications for long COVID symptoms — such as anticoagulants for post-COVID clotting issues, medications for dysautonomia or POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), or other treatments — include them on your medication list. Bring a complete list of all current medications to your appointment.

You are not required to bring medical records from your COVID-19 illness, but prior chest imaging and documentation of your COVID-19 history can be helpful, particularly if you had severe illness or pneumonia.

What the Civil Surgeon Documents

The civil surgeon will record your COVID-19 history and any ongoing post-COVID symptoms as part of your medical history on Form I-693. The physical examination will include assessment of your respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and other relevant systems. Any abnormal findings will be noted.

If your chest X-ray shows post-COVID changes, the civil surgeon will document these findings and note your known COVID-19 history. Form I-693 is sealed and submitted to USCIS. Because long COVID is not a ground of inadmissibility, the documentation of your condition will not negatively affect your immigration case.

Ongoing Symptoms and the Examination Process

If you are experiencing significant long COVID symptoms — such as severe fatigue, shortness of breath, or cognitive difficulties — inform the clinic when you schedule your appointment. The staff can make accommodations to ensure that the examination is as comfortable as possible for you.

If your symptoms are severe enough that you are concerned about your ability to complete the examination, discuss this with your treating physician before your appointment. In some cases, it may be appropriate to schedule your immigration medical exam when your symptoms are more manageable. However, there is no special deferral process for long COVID — the examination requirements are the same for all applicants.