Immigration Exams

Whether you’re new to the United States or soon to travel to another country for the first time, N’Dama Bamba, MD, MPH, offers culturally sensitive help that meets your needs. She performs immigration exams at Dr. Bamba’s Health and Medical Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Call the office to learn more or schedule your immigration physical exam online today.

What are immigration exams?

An immigration exam or immigration physical is a procedure you complete when applying to live in the United States.

Everyone planning to live in the U.S. must undergo an immigration exam to protect those already living in the community they hope to join. Infectious diseases can spread rapidly and cause considerable suffering, something the immigration exam aims to prevent.

What happens when I have an immigration exam?

When you visit Dr. Bamba’s Health and Medical Center for your immigration exam, remember to bring your medical records (including test results, imaging scans like X-rays, or specialist reports). You also need your passport and any forms relating to your immigration exam.

Dr. Bamba welcomes you warmly and puts you at ease, ensuring you’re relaxed and comfortable. She begins the exam by asking about your general health and looking at your medical history. She then completes some routine health checks, including:

• Recording your height and weight
• Measuring your blood pressure
• Listening to your heart
• Listening to your lungs
• Feeling your abdomen and lymph nodes
• Checking your eyes, ears, nose, and throat

These checks identify any abnormalities like lumps or rashes and other signs of disease.

Next, you undergo screenings for specific medical conditions like syphilis and tuberculosis. The government doesn’t want to spread these and some other infectious diseases in the country.

After your immigration physical, Dr. Bamba will complete form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record). She gives you a copy, then sends the form to the U.S. consulate or embassy. The staff adds the report to your immigration application for review.

Are vaccinations given during my immigration physical?

Your immunizations must be up-to-date for certain diseases before you move to the U.S. Dr. Bamba checks your current immunization records if you have them. She can also take a blood sample for lab analysis, identifying antibodies that develop in response to vaccination.

Diseases requiring immunization before immigration include:

• Meningococcal meningitis
• Pneumococcal pneumonia
• Hepatitis A and B
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rotavirus
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Diphtheria
• Varicella
• Pertussis
• COVID-19
• Current influenza and influenza type B

Dr. Bamba can give you any immunizations or boosters you need.

Call Dr. Bamba’s Health and Medical Center to learn more about immigration exams, or use the online form to book your appointment today.