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Do I need medical exams for the EB-1?

In the EB-1, medical exams are not part of the initial petition: they come into play during the permanent residence stage, either through adjustment of status or consular processing. Confirm each step with the official source.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 11, 2026
1 min read
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In the EB-1 category, which covers individuals with extraordinary ability and outstanding professors and researchers, medical exams are not part of the initial petition. At that first stage, the focus is on demonstrating merit and eligibility within the category.

Medical exams become required at the next stage of the process, when the applicant seeks permanent residence. This takes place in one of two ways, depending on where the person is located:

  • Through adjustment of status, for those already in the United States.
  • Through consular processing, for those outside the country.

The purpose of the exam is to confirm that the applicant does not have health conditions that could affect public health or safety, in accordance with admissibility requirements. The details of when and how to complete the exam are determined by the immigration authority.

Because each case has its own circumstances and requirements may change, it is advisable to verify the current requirements with USCIS and seek specialized guidance before scheduling any medical step.

Learn more about EB-1

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

Do I need medical exams for the EB-1?

In the EB-1, medical exams are not part of the initial petition: they come into play during the permanent residence stage, either through adjustment of status or consular processing. Confirm each step with the official source.

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