Most Chronic Conditions Are Not Grounds of Inadmissibility

The vast majority of chronic medical conditions — including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, and many others — are not grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. Having a chronic condition does not automatically affect your eligibility for a green card.

What the Civil Surgeon Evaluates

During the immigration medical examination, the civil surgeon will review your medical history and any documentation you bring. The civil surgeon is specifically evaluating for the medical grounds of inadmissibility defined by USCIS, which include communicable diseases of public health significance, physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction. Most chronic conditions do not fall into these categories.

What Documentation to Bring

Bring documentation of your chronic condition and current treatment to your appointment. This may include recent medical records, a letter from your treating physician, a list of current medications, and any relevant test results or imaging reports.

Having thorough documentation helps the civil surgeon accurately complete Form I-693 and demonstrates that your condition is being appropriately managed.

When a Chronic Condition May Require Additional Evaluation

In some cases, a chronic condition may require additional evaluation or documentation before Form I-693 can be completed. For example, a history of a mental health condition may require additional assessment to determine whether it is associated with harmful behavior. Our civil surgeon will advise you if additional evaluation is needed.