USA: FAQ

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask...

  • Everything you need to bring for your US Immigration Medical Examination (CIME) is explained here.

  • No, no other appointments are necessary: the blood test and X-ray will be done automatically after your consultation with Dr. AUBERT (the laboratory and radiologist are just a stone’s throw away).

    • Dr. AUBERT, panel physician for immigration to US, is fluent in French, English, and Spanish.
    • And (…if you agree to speak slowly and in short sentences!!), he can also speak Turkish.

    • Yes, but in this case, Dr. AUBERT will not be able to use the e-medical software and will have to follow a paper-based procedure (he will give you the documents for the embassy in a sealed envelope).
    • In this case, don’t forget to bring him two passport photos.
    • This “paper” procedure applies to you in the following cases:
    • if you have “DV APPLICANT” (diversity applicant) status;
      • if you have a V92 visa (these letters will be mentioned after your PRS number): Following-to-Join Asylum Visas or
      • if your visa is type V93 (these letters are then mentioned after your PRS number): Refugee Visa (V93)
      • if your visa is type K1 (fiancé(e) of foreign nationality of an American citizen)

    • Dr. Aubert uses e-medical software, and if your PRS number allows him to access this software (which is usually the case), then Dr. Aubert will take the photo himself, so there is no need to bring a passport photo.
    • However, even if your visa type does not allow Dr Aubert to use the e-medical software (DV applicant, V92, V93, K1 visas), he will take a photo of you and include it in the paper documents that you will need to submit to the embassy.

    • Dr. AUBERT is generally very punctual for medical examinations for immigration to the US: his examination lasts 30 minutes.
    • The laboratory is nearby, and the blood test takes no more than 30 minutes.
    • The radiologist is a little further away, and the X-ray also takes 30 minutes.
    • Including travel time between the different locations, allow 1 hour and 45 minutes for the entire procedure, plus an extra 30 minutes to be on the safe side: 2 hours 15 mns.

    • It depends on your visa type
      • In the vast majority of cases, Dr. AUBERT will be able to use the e-medical software: he will validate your file no later than 7 days after the consultation. If you wish, he can reduce this time frame in case of emergency (see below). In any case, you will receive a confirmation email as soon as the file is validated.
      • If you are in one of the following situations, the timeframe will be longer (in these cases, the e-medical software cannot be used, and Dr. AUBERT will have to send you a PAPER version of your file, which means there will be postal delays). You will receive your validation no later than two weeks after your appointment with Dr. AUBERT:
        • if you have “DV APPLICANT” (diversity applicant) status
        • if you have a V92 visa (these letters will then be mentioned after your PRS number): Following-to-Join Asylum Visas (V92)
        • if your visa is type V93 (these letters are then mentioned after your PRS number): Refugee Visa (V93)
        • if your visa is type K1 (foreign national fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen)

    • If you have a constraint related to an urgent requirement to depart on a specific date, please inform Dr. AUBERT: it is almost always possible to reduce the time required for validation of the file (especially if there are no medical issues). Dr. AUBERT, his laboratory, his radiologist, and the American medical services will do everything possible to enable you to depart on time!

    • The immigration medical examination for the USA is valid for six months from the date on which Dr. AUBERT approves your file.

    • Not at all! The tests required for the immigration medical examination in CANADA do not require fasting.

    • In case of pregnancy:
      • If your departure is urgent, Dr. AUBERT will suggest that you have a chest X-ray with lead protection for your abdomen, so that there is no risk to your baby.
      • If your departure is not urgent, we will postpone the X-ray examination, and you will have it after giving birth. Your file will remain open until then, but it can only be validated after the X-ray has been performed.

    • Not at all. Urine tests, which are only necessary between the ages of 18 and 24, can be performed on women who are menstruating, so there are no restrictions based on your period! You can come at any time during your cycle.

    • The procedure for vaccinations required by the US authorities is explained in detail on this page. It is best to have your primary care physician update your vaccinations in accordance with the US rules explained here (document to be given to your primary care physician). Dr. AUBERT will check your vaccination status during the pre-consultation exchanges. He will prescribe any serology tests that your doctor may have forgotten and, if necessary, administer any missing vaccinations on the day of your physical face-to-face appointment with him.

    • COVID vaccination is not required to enter the United States. Therefore, Dr. AUBERT will not ask you for proof of vaccination during your immigration medical examination. However, please note that other vaccinations are mandatory. Please carefully review the vaccinations page.

    • Before age 15, Dr. Aubert will check vaccinations (see point 20), then perform a clinical examination of the child.
    • Between ages 15 and 17, the child will also have a chest X-ray (but no laboratory tests).
    • Above age 18, your children are adults…
    • The costs of examinations according to age can be found here.

    • In the vast majority of cases, yes! Don’t worry!
    • If you have a chronic condition (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, coronary heart disease, respiratory failure, etc.), the Americans mainly ask that it has already been investigated in France and that you are undergoing treatment if necessary.
    • However, there are some conditions that will prevent you from entering the United States, at least temporarily, including:
      • active tuberculosis (this must be treated in France before you can leave, and treatment lasts at least six months).
      • Syphilis or a sexually transmitted infection caused by gonococcus, which would also need to be treated (treatment lasts one to three weeks for syphilis, and for gonococcus it is immediate, with a single intramuscular injection)
      • some psychiatric conditions associated with a risk of violence to yourself or others
      • the use of certain drugs
      • alcohol dependence associated with a risk of violence to yourself or others
    • The reasons that may prevent your immigration are explained at:
      https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/medical-examination-faqs.html

    • If you have a medical condition, bring any documents you have, including prescriptions, recent test results, and any other documents you consider relevant.
    • Dr. AUBERT will review them and add any documents he deems relevant to your file.
    • After Dr. Aubert sends your file, the US authorities may request additional documents to better understand your medical situation. In this case, you will receive an email from the US authorities a few days after your file is sent.

    • It may happen that additional tests or letters from specialists are requested by the US authorities after Dr. AUBERT’s examination.
    • You will not have to return to see Dr. AUBERT: he will explain what is necessary by email, and any further communication will be conducted by email.
    • Any additional tests that may be requested by the US authorities will be reimbursable by French health insurance.
    • And, whatever happens, Dr. AUBERT will never ask you for additional fees, regardless of the complexity of your case: the fees you pay him on the day of your visit guarantee that you will receive his final report, however long the procedure may take.

  • The immigration medical examination in CANADA takes place at 133 rue ORDENER 75018 PARIS (FRANCE). The easiest way to make an appointment is on DOCTOLIB: https://www.doctolib.fr/medecin-generaliste/paris/jean-pierre-aubert, but you can also call the office at +33 1 42 58 07 28.

    You can find details about the different exam locations by clicking on this link