Afghan Parolee Green Card Eligibility

Afghan nationals who were evacuated to the United States following the fall of Kabul in August 2021 were admitted on humanitarian parole under Operation Allies Welcome. Many Afghan parolees are eligible for a green card through the Afghan Adjustment Act or other immigration pathways.

Afghan parolees who are eligible to file Form I-485 must complete the standard immigration medical examination as part of the adjustment of status process.

Medical Exam Requirement

All I-485 applicants, including Afghan parolees, must complete an immigration medical examination with a USCIS-designated civil surgeon and submit Form I-693. The medical exam requirement applies regardless of how you entered the United States.

Afghan parolees did not undergo a standard overseas medical exam before entering the United States, so a full civil surgeon examination is required.

What the Exam Covers

The immigration medical exam covers a complete physical examination, tuberculosis testing, required laboratory tests, and a vaccination review. The civil surgeon will administer any missing required vaccines.

Afghan parolees may have received some vaccinations through the evacuation process or at military bases. Bring any vaccination records you received during the evacuation or at resettlement to the exam appointment.

Vaccination Records From Afghanistan

Many Afghan parolees have limited or no vaccination records from Afghanistan. If you do not have vaccination records, the civil surgeon can administer the required vaccines at the appointment. You are not required to have prior vaccination records to complete the exam.

If you received vaccinations at a military base or resettlement facility after arriving in the United States, bring those records to the appointment. Any documented vaccinations can reduce the number of vaccines you need.

TB Testing for Afghan Parolees

Afghanistan has a higher prevalence of tuberculosis than the United States. All Afghan parolees filing I-485 will be tested for TB as part of the immigration medical exam. The civil surgeon will perform either a TB skin test (TST) or an IGRA blood test.

If your TB test is positive, the civil surgeon will order a chest X-ray to determine whether you have active or latent TB. A positive TB test does not automatically disqualify you from obtaining a green card, but you may need to complete treatment.

Practical Tips and Resources

Bring your Form I-94, passport or other identity documents, and any vaccination records you have. If you need language assistance (Dari, Pashto, or other languages), contact the civil surgeon's office in advance. Many resettlement organizations can help you navigate the medical exam process.