US Visa Medical Exam

If you are applying for a US visa in Thailand then you are going to need to obtain a medical examination. We have explained it elsewhere on our website but have explained it again in greater detail. In Bangkok this would be mainly for the following US visa applications from Thailand. This is the fiancée K-1 visa, spouse K-3 visa, spouse CR1 visa as well as the spouse IR1 visa. These and other family-related visas.

You will note that if your Thai spouse or Thai fiancée would normally be living in Thailand. The medical examination is completed in Thailand at a US designated clinic or hospital in Bangkok. According to US laws, all immigrants must be free of communicable disease, mental as well as free of drug abuse and addiction. The results of the medical examination is forwarded to the US Embassy in Bangkok. See also the main article that we wrote on the US visa in Thailand on here. Lastly also see the K1 visa questions interview examples on here.

When you are scheduled for the visa interview which is arrange with the US Embassy in Bangkok. You will then need to schedule the medical examination at one of the hospitals that is approved by US immigration. There are the two main hospitals in Bangkok where the medical examination can be scheduled.

– Bangkok Nursing Home (BNH) Hospital

– Bumrungrad International Hospital

Likewise you are encouraged to schedule the medical examination at least a week before the visa interview in Bangkok. This will allow for time to get all your ducks in order. So lets see how this process is started.

How to Schedule:

Firstly you will need to contact the hospital. This can be online or by telephone. You will need to book the appointment and schedule the visa medical exam. Secondly you will need to also confirm the needed documentation that you will need to take with you to the hospital. Thirdly you will also need to check the fees for the exam for the medical examination.

Required Documents

What will you need when going for the examination. These are some of the documents needed:

– Your Passport: Your Thai passport that you are going to use for the US visa.

– Appointment letter: Your copy of the U.S. Embassy’s visa interview appointment confirmation.

– Four passport-sized photos: Likewise ensure the photos meet the U.S. visa photo requirements.

– Vaccination records: Applicants must bring proof of vaccinations.

Note that should you not have all your vaccination records. There will then also be costs to perform the tests to see if you have been vaccinated as required. They will check for immunity. Lastly note that if you don’t have all your documents then there will be delays. Always double check what is needed and obtain the needed documents even when this is in her village or town.

The medical examination can take a few hours as there are a number of steps to the process. Some of these tests are not only the physical examination but also tests to screen for certain conditions. These conditions can affect your immigration eligibility.

Step 1: Registration and Document Submission

When you arrive at the hospital. You will need to register at the designated visa examination counter. At this point you will need to submit your Thai passport as well as the visa interview appointment letter. There may also be other required documents so check before then. Vaccination records and/or other documents.

Step 2: Health History Review

The process starts with the doctor or nurse reviewing her health history. Normally this part of the process involves answering of questions about the following:

– Her past medical conditions as well as any surgeries

– Likewise her current medications

– In addition any history of tuberculosis (TB), including its treatment

– Lastly any history of drug or alcohol use or abuse

– Her mental health history

You should be honest about these as false details can create problems later or a visa denial. This would be very difficult to correct later with a visa appeal. You do not want delays or creating a complex visa application issue.

Step 3: Physical Examination

The examination after this completed by a licensed physician will involve a general check of your physical health. These would include the following:

– Height and weight

– Blood pressure

– Vision and hearing tests

– Examination of the skin, eyes, ears, throat, nose, and heart

– A general assessment of overall health

Step 4: Laboratory Tests

The following steps will also include a number of lab tests. These are performed to check for communicable diseases as well as any signs of drug use, and other medical conditions. These typically include:

– Blood tests: This is to check for infectious diseases such as syphilis or HIV.

– Urine test: Likewise to detect any signs of drug use.

– Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is required to screen for tuberculosis (TB).

Note that TB is a serious concern for U.S. immigration officials. They will need to check for TB as well as for the anti-biotic resistant version. They will need to know that you do not suffer from this. Normally it is a detect syphilis with the (RPR or VDRL test), likewise the IGRA test are used to check for latent TB infection. These are only two examples.

Step 5: Vaccinations

There are a number of vaccinations that will be needed. The U.S. immigration laws requires certain vaccinations for all immigrant visa applicants. You will need to present proof of vaccinations or receive the required vaccines during their medical examination. Some of the required vaccines include:

– Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

– Tetanus and Diphtheria

– Polio

– Hepatitis B

– Varicella (chickenpox)

Likewise note that vaccination requirements vary by age. Now you will need to ensure that you has all the vaccinations that you should have. These are some of the vaccinations needed.

The purpose of the medical examination is to ensure that applicants do not have medical conditions that would make them inadmissible to the U.S. There are several key areas doctors focus on:

A. Communicable Diseases

The US laws do not allow entry to person with certain communicable diseases. These diseases that could pose a public health risk in the US. The following conditions of concern include but not limited to:

– Tuberculosis (especially active TB)

– Syphilis

– HIV/AIDS

– Gonorrhea

– Leprosy (Hansen’s disease)

Should your Thai wife or Thai fiancée have any of these diseases. Then they may need treatment before continuing with the visa process. If we take an example, those with active TB must complete treatment and provide medical evidence of being disease-free before being approved for a visa. So there are these options where the illness has been corrected. Others would be treatment for Gonorrhea as well.

B. Drug and Alcohol Abuse

As you will note that drug addiction or abuse is a disqualifying condition for U.S. immigration. There is a urine test in the medical exam to detect drugs. They will also asses to see if you have had a drug abuse problem. DUI is a major issue in the United States. They are going to need to check is her alcohol abuse create a DUI in Thailand.

C. Mental and Physical Disorders

Likewise there will be a check for a history of mental illness. These that can pose a threat to the general public in the United States. If the applicant has a history of violent behavior or severe mental illness that could be dangerous may be denied a visa.

Similarly, any physical disorders that could make an applicant reliant on public assistance may be reviewed.

Cost and Timeline

So what is the cost for the medical examination you might wonder. The costs will differ but you would be looking at approximately $200 to $300 USD. This is about 7,000 to 10,000 Thai Baht. These however do not include any vaccinations which may be needed. Likewise you should ask beforehand so you know what you will need to take with you.

Note that in terms of the timeline for the medical examination, this should take about 2 to 4 hours. Should you be given the results in hand then you should not open the medical examination results. If it is posted then it takes about a week to the US Embassy. The US Embassy opens the results and you should not open this under any circumstances.

If you have a condition that disqualifies her then you will need to look for a remedy.

A. Tuberculosis (TB)

Should the person have TB, you will need to undergo treatment. Once the treatment is complete the hospital will need to provide the needed documentation to provide proof of this. Only then can the process continue.

B. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

If you have a syphilis or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You will need to undergo treatment and be declared disease-free before the visa can be approved. Note you will need to know that there are different stages of Syphilis. The final stage is not curable.

C. Mental Health Conditions

Should you have severe mental health issues that could pose a danger to themselves or others may be deemed inadmissible. In such a case, additional medical information will be requested.

D. Drug Use

Likewise those who test positive for drug use will likely have their visa denied. They may reapply after a period of sobriety, and they will need to provide evidence of rehabilitation or drug counseling.

Finally also see the application process for each US visa from Thailand. Likewise see also the financial requirements for the visa as well as the information that we wrote on the Request for Evidence as well as a visa denial. There is also an new article on child custody in a US visa as well.