what can you expect?
Congratulations if you are getting your immigration exam. Dr. Weitzman feels it is his duty, and honor, to help people become legal residents and citizens of the United States of America. AT out office, we strive to make this process easy, transparent, and move as quick as possible.
The full instructions are from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (known as the CDC for short). That web site is:
https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/index.html
Section 1, The Basics
Every person must have the following for the appointment:
1) Passport or Federal acceptable ID (Like a driver’s license with a Real ID star);
2) Their immunization records, or we will substitute for that (see below)*;
3) Their address, home and cell number (can be the same), email;
4) marriage certificate or name change certificate if this has happened since last filing;
5) A letter from their primary care if they have chronic medical conditions. Ie: Hypertension, diabetes, etc, noting they are under routine care and compliant with treatment. This includes any psychological conditions too, such as anxiety or depression.
*If no immunization records, we have to test or boost – based on what is least expensive:
USCIS Requirements: If the applicant cannot read, speak, and write English, they must have an interpreter with them for the initial visit with the doctor, and must return at signing to sign the forms.
If you have insurance, and your own doctor – best to get it done before you come in. It can save you a lot of money.
For Varicella (Chicken Pox), and the MMR (measles, Mumps, Rubella), we normally test. There is a draw fee set by the lab. If these tests say immune, we are done. If they say not immune, a booster series is initiated. Normally 2 shots about 1 month apart. If the test says low, but not immune, then only 1 booster is needed. The boosters are about the same cost of testing, maybe a little more. The applicant pays the pharmacy or health department directly, not us. This saves you money.
For the TDaP and Influenza, it is much less expensive and harmful to get the immunization – so they go to the pharmacy for that, and pay the pharmacy or health department directly.
For children, it is a lot more complicated. It is best to have your pediatrician have the child reviewed for immunizations.
Anyone who wants to know what immunizations they need can go to the following web site:
and the chart:
The patient can look this up.
Section 2, The Labs:
1) Standard Labs: test for STDs and important public health diseases. These are mandatory. This goes to the lab.
2) Special Testing: This gets added on for several reasons. Mostly due to a random selection or a special evaluation request. It can be a drug urine scree, or Hemoglobin A1C for a diabetic if not up to date, Ect. Patient pays our cost, which is way less than paying at the lab. But you are welcome to pay at the lab directly too.
Section 3, The Exam:
Just a good once over. Includes a psychological component. You may need to see a psychologist for a formal evaluation, but that is rare.
Section 4, Info Gathering:
After everything is in, we assemble a packet of information, take the applicant’s supplied info, and fill out the I-693.
Section 5, The Signing:
Once everything is complete, and the forms are filled out, the applicant returns to sign the form. If you used an interpreter, they must be there to sign. If an attorney needs to sign, they must fill out their section, sign it, and send it to us.
We give them the form in a sealed envelope. We also supply an unofficial copy.
