Applicants for immigrant visas must now be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to immigrate to the United States. The vaccines accepted for immigrants are those approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use, or those which are licensed or approved for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Please visit the WHO website for more information.
At the time of the medical examination, you must present proof of previous vaccination for COVID-19. If you are eligible for vaccination and have previously refused it, you will not be allowed to enter the United States. Please visit the CDC website for more information.
Below you will find answers to common questions:
Which vaccines are accepted by the United States? Is Sputnik vaccine accepted?
Do I need to have both doses before my medical exam?
- Yes. The vaccination process against COVID-19 must be completed before the medical examination. For most COVID-19 vaccines, this means you will need to have 2 doses complete before your exam.
** You may want an interval of about 1 week between the last vaccination against COVID-19 and your medical examination. It is likely that you will need other vaccines during the medical examination.
Can I bring documentation of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 instead of the vaccination record?
- No. The presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 or a certificate of a previous illness are NOT grounds for refusing vaccination. What if I don’t want to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
- Refusal of vaccination against COVID-19 is the reason for refusal to enter the United States.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review any petition for refusal to vaccinate and will issue its opinion. This decision is not made by a doctor during the medical examination.
What if I have already received an unapproved vaccine?
- If you have already received both doses of an unapproved vaccine and in your country of residence you are denied vaccination with an approved vaccine, this will be documented during the medical examination. This will not be grounds for a refusal to enter the United States.
- Revaccination against COVID-19 (booster shot) for the immigration medical exam is not needed
-In accordance with the requirement of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Department of State, from February 2019, all applicants for an immigrant visa to the US aged 2-14 inclusive, to diagnose tuberculosis infection, must undergo the Quantiferon test (IGRA) - an immunological study on M. tuberculosis by the T-SPOT.TB method. This test is a venous blood test.
Information about the examination (frequently asked questions):
- Who should be tested? - Children aged 2-14 inclusive.
- Are there any contraindications for the test? - Not. The test is not performed only if the quantiferon test was positive in the past (supporting documentation is required)
- Does BCG vaccination affect the test results in the past? - No, it doesn't. This is the value of this test, which makes it possible to distinguish an allergic reaction from a true infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Is it possible to vaccinate on the day of the analysis? - Yes. Vaccination does not affect the results of the analysis. When receiving live vaccines (against measles, rubella, and mumps), it is recommended to analyze either on the same day or after 4-6 weeks.
The analysis can be passed before passing the medical examination. The test results are valid for 6 months.
Immigration medical exams are performed daily, from 8-11am, except weekends and holidays.
Medical exam includes:
Doctor’s visit,
Syphilis test (18-44 years old)
Gonorrhea urine test (ready the next day) (18-24 years old)
Chest X-ray (for persons >15 years old) - done at a different site, about 15 minutes away from IMC
Vaccinations, if needed
All paperwork will be ready the next day. If you have a medical exam on Friday, the paperwork will be ready on Monday.
To make an appointment for the medical exam you should email the following documents at imc.migration.usa@gmail.com with the indication of preferable exam date and expect a response to your email within 24 hours:
The front page of your foreign passport (the one with the photo)
Invitation letter from the Consulate with the Case number
Current address with zip code (in English)
Address in the USA
Your Email address and cell phone number
Work/position, school/university/grade
City of birth
Information about change of citizenship if any
Covid 19 vaccination certificate
On the day of your medical exam you must bring:
Passport (including children’s)
5 color photos, size 3x4 cm, with the matted back (we ask you to bring cut out photos)
Medical records with information about past vaccinations. Original of the medical chart with the vaccinations is preferable.
Invitation letter for the interview at the US Consulate
Covid 19 vaccination certificate
For children 2-14 years old - documented results of the IGRA test result, conducted at the National Science Center of Phthisiopneumology, Almaty. The test has to be administered within 6 months of the exam date.
If you are taking any medications for a long time, then prepare a list with the names of these drugs for a physical examination.
After the medical examination, you will be issued a sealed envelope with documents for an interview at the US Consulate, as well as a copy of the vaccination card. You will need a copy of the vaccination card in the United States when registering a child for school/kindergarten or for employment. According to the rules of the US Consulate, copies of the vaccination card are not issued if the vaccination card is lost. In this case, it is recommended to apply directly to the Consulate.
Medical examination fees (not including vaccinations): for persons older, than 15 years old – 70,000 Tenge (includes chest Xray and lab tests) for persons younger, than 15 years old –50,000 Tenge Our addresses are Gagarina Ave, 311A, corner of Kozhabekova str. and Mukanova 235, corner of Kabanbay Batyr str.
Both of our clinics are located in Almaty: Mukanov St., 235, and Gagarina St., 311A