Surgery Is Not a Ground of Inadmissibility

A history of surgery — whether recent or in the past — is not a ground 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. Surgery does not fall into any of these categories.

Surgical History Disclosure

During your immigration medical examination, the civil surgeon will ask about your medical history, including any surgeries. You should disclose your surgical history honestly when asked. This information is recorded on Form I-693 as part of your medical history.

If you have had recent surgery, you may wish to mention the type of surgery, the date, and your current recovery status. This helps the civil surgeon have a complete picture of your health.

Recovery and Vaccine Timing

If you are in the early stages of recovery from surgery, discuss your current health status with the civil surgeon. In most cases, standard vaccines can be administered during recovery. However, if you are on immunosuppressant medications following surgery (such as after an organ transplant), some live vaccines may be contraindicated. The civil surgeon will review your specific situation.

What to Bring

Bring the following to your appointment:

• A list of all current medications, including any post-surgical medications such as antibiotics, pain medications, or anticoagulants
• Your vaccination records
• A government-issued photo ID