Pregnancy and the Immigration Medical Exam: What Applicants Should Know
By Immigration Spot Clinic & Services | Updated July 2026
If you are pregnant and applying for a green card or adjustment of status, you may be wondering whether you can safely complete the USCIS immigration medical exam.
In most cases, pregnancy does not prevent an applicant from attending the exam or completing Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. However, pregnancy may affect how certain vaccines, tuberculosis screening results, chest X-rays, and other medical decisions are handled.
This guide explains what pregnant applicants should expect, what information to share with the civil surgeon, and how to reduce the risk of delays.
Can you complete an immigration medical exam while pregnant?
Yes. Pregnancy does not automatically disqualify you from completing an immigration medical exam. A USCIS-designated civil surgeon can still review your medical history, perform the required physical examination, evaluate your vaccination records, order required laboratory tests, and complete the applicable portions of Form I-693.
The civil surgeon should know that you are pregnant before administering vaccines, ordering imaging, or making other medical decisions. You should also discuss individual concerns with your obstetrician or prenatal care provider.
How pregnancy may affect the immigration medical exam
| Part of the exam | How pregnancy may affect it |
|---|---|
| Medical history and physical exam | These can generally be completed during pregnancy. |
| Vaccination review | Some vaccines may be administered, while others may be deferred because of pregnancy-related precautions or contraindications. |
| TB blood test | The required blood-based TB screening may generally still be performed during pregnancy. |
| Chest X-ray | Only required when specific TB-related criteria are present. A pregnant applicant may choose to postpone a required X-ray and completion of the exam until after pregnancy. |
| Form I-693 completion | The form may be completed when all required exam components and documentation have been satisfied. |
Vaccines during pregnancy and Form I-693
The civil surgeon must review your vaccination history and determine which immigration vaccines are required based on your age, medical history, documented immunity, and current CDC instructions.
Pregnancy does not mean that every vaccine must be postponed. Some vaccines may be recommended or permitted during pregnancy, while certain vaccines should generally be deferred.
The civil surgeon should evaluate:
- Your current stage of pregnancy
- Your vaccination records
- Any history of vaccine reactions or allergies
- Your overall medical condition
- Current CDC contraindications and precautions
- Recommendations from your prenatal care provider, when appropriate
Which vaccines may be deferred during pregnancy?
Certain live vaccines are generally contraindicated during pregnancy. Two common examples relevant to immigration medical exams are:
- MMR: measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
- Varicella: chickenpox vaccine
When a required vaccine should not be administered because of pregnancy, the civil surgeon may document it as contraindicated or not medically appropriate on Form I-693.
When properly documented, this may qualify as a blanket waiver for that vaccine requirement. The applicant generally does not need to submit a separate waiver application for a vaccine that the civil surgeon marks as medically contraindicated.
Are any vaccines commonly given during pregnancy?
Some non-live vaccines may be recommended during pregnancy when medically appropriate. Depending on current guidance, medical history, age, and timing, examples may include:
- Inactivated influenza vaccine during flu season
- Tdap during the recommended stage of pregnancy
- Hepatitis B when indicated
- Other non-live vaccines based on individual medical circumstances
Do not assume that you need every vaccine listed online. The civil surgeon must determine what applies to you, and you should discuss pregnancy-specific vaccine decisions with your obstetric provider.
TB testing during pregnancy
Tuberculosis screening is a required part of the immigration medical exam for applicants who meet the applicable age requirements. Civil surgeons generally use an approved blood test known as an interferon-gamma release assay, or IGRA.
Pregnancy does not automatically remove the TB-screening requirement. The blood test itself can generally be completed while pregnant.
A chest X-ray is not automatically required for every pregnant applicant. Under current CDC instructions, a chest X-ray is required when an applicant:
- Has a positive IGRA result
- Has known HIV infection
- Has signs or symptoms associated with tuberculosis disease
- Has extrapulmonary tuberculosis
What happens if a chest X-ray is required?
If a pregnant applicant meets one of the criteria requiring a chest X-ray, the X-ray is required before the applicant can be medically cleared for adjustment of status.
A pregnant applicant may choose to postpone the required chest X-ray and completion of the immigration medical exam until after pregnancy. However, postponing the X-ray may also delay completion of Form I-693 and could affect the timing of the immigration case.
Before making that decision, speak with:
- Your USCIS-designated civil surgeon
- Your obstetrician or prenatal care provider
- Your immigration attorney, especially if you have a filing deadline, RFE, or interview date
Will pregnancy delay Form I-693?
Pregnancy does not automatically delay Form I-693. Many applicants can complete the exam and receive their sealed packet while pregnant.
Delays may occur if:
- A required chest X-ray is postponed
- Additional TB evaluation is necessary
- Medical records are incomplete
- The civil surgeon needs documentation from another healthcare provider
- Required laboratory results are pending
- A vaccine-related issue requires additional review
Scheduling early gives the clinic more time to address any pregnancy-related questions before a USCIS filing deadline or interview.
What to bring to your appointment
Pregnant applicants should bring the same core documents required for other immigration medical exams, along with relevant prenatal information.
- Government-issued photo identification
- Vaccination records
- Current medication and supplement list
- Relevant medical records
- Prior TB test results or chest X-ray reports, if available
- Contact information for your obstetric provider
- Documentation of pregnancy, if requested by the clinic
- USCIS notices or attorney instructions related to your case
Tell the clinic that you are pregnant when scheduling the appointment so the staff can provide appropriate preparation instructions.
Pregnancy does not mean you will fail the medical exam
Pregnancy itself is not a health-related ground of inadmissibility and does not mean you will fail the immigration medical exam.
The purpose of the exam is to document whether you meet the medical and vaccination requirements established for immigration purposes. Pregnancy mainly affects how certain procedures and vaccines are handled.
When pregnancy creates a valid contraindication to a vaccine, the civil surgeon can document that medical reason on Form I-693.
Common mistakes pregnant applicants should avoid
- Failing to tell the clinic that you are pregnant
- Assuming the entire exam must wait until after delivery
- Getting vaccines without first discussing pregnancy with the administering provider
- Assuming a chest X-ray is required for every applicant
- Waiting until immediately before an interview or filing deadline
- Opening the sealed Form I-693 envelope
- Relying only on general internet advice instead of individualized medical guidance
Frequently asked questions about pregnancy and immigration medical exams
Yes. Many applicants can complete the immigration medical exam and Form I-693 during pregnancy. Pregnancy may affect certain vaccines or a required chest X-ray, but it does not automatically prevent completion of the exam.
No. A chest X-ray is required only when specific TB-related criteria apply, such as a positive IGRA result, known HIV infection, TB symptoms, or extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
A pregnant applicant may postpone a required chest X-ray until after pregnancy, but doing so also postpones completion of the medical exam and may affect the immigration case timeline.
Not necessarily. When a vaccine is medically contraindicated during pregnancy, the civil surgeon may document the contraindication on Form I-693. Proper documentation may qualify the applicant for a blanket waiver of that vaccine requirement.
Not automatically. Many applicants can complete the exam during pregnancy. Schedule early and discuss your pregnancy with the civil surgeon, prenatal provider, and immigration attorney before deciding to postpone any required step.
How Immigration Spot Clinic & Services can help
Immigration Spot Clinic & Services helps applicants complete USCIS-compliant immigration medical exams with careful attention to individual medical circumstances.
Our team can review your vaccination records, coordinate required laboratory testing, explain which exam components apply to you, and prepare your sealed Form I-693 packet when all requirements have been completed.
If you are pregnant and preparing for your green card medical exam, contact us to discuss your appointment and what documents to bring.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information, not legal or individualized medical advice. Pregnancy, vaccination decisions, and immigration circumstances vary. Always consult your civil surgeon, prenatal care provider, and qualified immigration counsel regarding your specific situation.