Hepatitis B Is Not a Ground of Inadmissibility

Hepatitis B infection — including chronic Hepatitis B carrier status — is not a ground of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration law. The CDC removed Hepatitis B from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance for immigration purposes. Your Hepatitis B status will not prevent you from obtaining a green card.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Testing

As part of the immigration medical examination, the civil surgeon may test for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to determine your Hepatitis B status. This testing is used to assess your immune status for vaccine purposes, not to determine inadmissibility.

If you test positive for HBsAg (indicating active Hepatitis B infection or carrier status), you are not required to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series, as you are already infected. The civil surgeon will document your status on Form I-693.

Vaccine Requirements for Non-Immune Applicants

The Hepatitis B vaccine is a required immigration vaccine for applicants who are not already immune. If your testing shows that you are not immune to Hepatitis B and are not currently infected, you will need to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series. The standard series consists of three doses given over six months, though accelerated schedules are available.

If You Are a Hepatitis B Carrier

If you are a chronic Hepatitis B carrier, you do not need to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine. The civil surgeon will document your Hepatitis B status on Form I-693. There are no special restrictions, additional tests, or extra documentation requirements for Hepatitis B carriers beyond what is described above.