Embassy of the United States Kabul, Afghanistan

Medical Examination Information for U.S. Immigrant Visa Applicants

Section 221(d) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act requires that all immigrant visa applicants and certain non-immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, undergo a medical examination before receiving a visa.  This examination must be a full-body examination and must be conducted by doctors (“panel physicians”) at one of the approved medical facilities listed below prior to the visa interview.

Only the medical facilities listed below, which have been selected by the Consular Section, are authorized to conduct medical examinations for U.S. visa applicants.  Fees for services are determined by the facilities and are subject to change.

Names and addresses of authorized panel physician medical clinics:

DK German Medical Diagnostic Center                                            Street 66, House 13B, District 4                                                           Zone 1, Kabul                                                                                         Call to make an appointment:  079-913-6210                               Hours:  Saturday – Thursday from 9:00am – 5:00pm

Step 1 – Make Your Medical Examination Appointment

Call to make an appointment at one of the authorized medical clinics.  Please plan to attend your medical examination at least 5 days prior to your visa interview date in order to have the results in time for your interview date.  You will have two appointments on separate days for your medical examination:  the first day will include a physical examination, blood tests and X-rays; on the day of your second appointment, your reports will be reviewed and documentation will be completed.  You may also receive vaccinations, if appropriate, on the first or second visit.

Step 2 – Prepare:  What to Bring to the Appointment

Each applicant must bring the following to the medical examination appointment:

• Passport
• Two (2) visa-type photos for each family member, signed on the front and full name written on the back in BLOCK letters
• Visa Appointment Letter issued by the National Visa Center or by Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or any other documentation indicating your visa category
• Complete medical and vaccination records for each family member, along with any prescription medicines or injections that you are using

Step 3 – Your Medical Examination: What to Expect

A full-body examination is required during this medical examination according to U.S. immigration law.  The medical report cannot be completed and the immigrant visa case cannot proceed without a full-body examination.  Do not fast before your medical examination.  You should eat normally.  In addition, if you are taking any medication, you should continue to take it normally. 

During the medical exam, it is important to give complete and honest answers to all of the questions asked by the doctor and medical staff.  If, during the course of your visa interview, the Consular Officer discovers that you left out or misrepresented information, you will be required to undergo and pay for a new medical exam.

Each applicant 15 years of age and older will have an examination to include:

• Serologic test (blood test) for syphilis
• Chest X-ray and radiology consultation
• Physical and mental examination, review of patient medical and immunization history, interpretation of test results and documentation

Each applicant less than 15 years of age will have an examination to include:

• Physical and mental examination, review of patient medical and immunization history, interpretation of test results and documentation
• Normally, children under 15 years of age are not required to undergo chest X-rays, blood tests or HIV anti-body testing, but they must undergo immunizations and a general physical examination.  In some cases, however, the panel physician may require an applicant less than 15 years of age to undergo a chest X-ray and/or blood test, as well. 

Should the general examination reveal the need for additional tests or a more specialized examination, the work may be performed by the panel physician or by a specialist chosen by the applicants or designated by the panel physician.  Any fee in conjunction with further tests or examinations will be at the expense of the applicant.  Additional vaccinations, if required, also incur an additional fee.

All fees must be paid in cash directly to the medical facility performing your medical examination.

Vaccinations – Under Section 212(a) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act requires that all immigrant visa applicants obtain certain vaccinations prior to receiving an immigrant visa.  Only the doctor can determine which vaccinations are medically appropriate for you, based on your age, medical history and current medical conditions.

Step 4 – Your Medical Examination Results and Report

The medical clinics, in some cases, will send the medical results directly to the Consular Section for inclusion in your case file.  If you are given your medical exam report to carry to your visa appointment, it should be given to you in a sealed envelope.  DO NOT open the sealed envelope.  If you open the medical exam, you will be required to undergo and pay for a new medical examination.

REMINDER: 

If you do not have medical examination reports, you will not be interviewed.  You will need to reschedule your interview by contacting the Consular Section via Email to:  KabulIV@state.gov  (be sure to include your file case number).