Chronic Pain Is Not a Ground of Inadmissibility

Chronic pain conditions — including back pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, arthritis, and others — are not grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. The medical grounds of inadmissibility are limited to communicable diseases of public health significance, failure to have required vaccinations, physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior, and drug abuse or addiction. Chronic pain does not fall into any of these categories.

Opioid Medication Disclosure

If you take opioid medications for chronic pain — such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, tramadol, or others — it is important to bring documentation of your prescription to your immigration medical exam. This includes a prescription bottle or a letter from your prescribing physician.

Opioids are controlled substances, and the civil surgeon will ask about your use of controlled substances as part of the substance use screening. Having documentation of a valid prescription from a licensed physician demonstrates that your use is medically supervised.

Substance Use Screening Distinction

The immigration medical examination includes a substance use screening. The civil surgeon evaluates whether an applicant currently meets the clinical criteria for a substance use disorder — not whether they take prescribed controlled substances. A valid prescription for opioids for chronic pain, used as directed under medical supervision, is not evidence of a substance use disorder. The civil surgeon will evaluate your specific situation.

What to Bring

Bring the following to your appointment:

• A list of all current medications, including opioids and any other pain medications
• Prescription bottles or a letter from your prescribing physician for any controlled substances
• Your vaccination records
• A government-issued photo ID