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What If You “Fail” an Immigration Medical Exam?

ICIMR Clinical Review Board
May 21, 2026
Updated Aug 30, 2026
1min read
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An immigration medical exam isn’t pass/fail — but certain conditions can render an applicant inadmissible. Most are resolvable.

Class A conditions (inadmissible)

  • Active tuberculosis (treatable; resume the process after completion)
  • Untreated syphilis (treatable; resume after treatment)
  • Mental disorders associated with harmful behavior (some are waivable)
  • Drug abuse or addiction (waiver available in narrow circumstances)
  • Missing required vaccinations without an applicable waiver

Class B conditions (admissible)

Latent TB infection, controlled mental illness, past substance use without current addiction, controlled chronic diseases. Class B conditions do not render you inadmissible but USCIS may require monitoring or follow-up.

What happens at the exam

If the Civil Surgeon identifies a Class A condition, they will explain it to you and discuss next steps. You may be referred for treatment or to your local public health department before the I-693 can be completed.

Our I-693 exam service page has more on what to expect during your visit.

IC

Written by

IMR Clinical Review Board

The IMR Clinical Review Board is Immigration Medical's internal editorial team, responsible for keeping this site's general health-information content accurate and current with USCIS policy. Medical accuracy of this content is reviewed by Diana Nieves Castro, MD -- see our medical review process for details.

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