Chronic Illness Is Common and Generally Not a Problem

Many seniors have one or more chronic medical conditions. Common conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, COPD, and kidney disease are generally 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

The civil surgeon evaluates your overall health and specifically looks for the medical grounds of inadmissibility defined by USCIS. These are: communicable diseases of public health significance, failure to vaccinate, physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction. Most chronic conditions do not fall into any of these categories.

What Documentation to Bring

Bring documentation of all current medical conditions and medications to your appointment. This may include:

• Recent medical records from your primary care physician or specialists
• A complete list of current medications and dosages
• Recent laboratory results or imaging reports
• A letter from your treating physician summarizing your conditions and treatment

Managing Multiple Conditions

If you have multiple chronic conditions, having organized documentation will help the civil surgeon efficiently review your medical history. Our staff is experienced in working with seniors who have complex medical histories and will ensure the examination is thorough and respectful.