TB Skin Test

[Liam and Sam 2]

Ok, so I've been reading around trying to get prepared for the AOS once my fiance arrives. I've run into several comments about the TB skin test. Is this a requirement or does everyone do it to avoid a possible RFE from a disgruntled adjucator?? I tried searching around for a direct answer but haven't come across anything that answers my question specifically.

My fiance just completed his medical for the K1 in May and had all of the necessary vaccinations minus the TB skin test.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Edited June 17, 2008 by Liam and Sam

[Cécy 44]

Well when I went to do the medical exam I was asked to do a TB skin test by the civil surgeon.

Now keep in mind that some country (mine is one of it) do the BCG vaccine. That vaccine, done as a child, is supposed to protect you from getting TB, however not only do the US not recognize it but it makes any TB skin test positive. So have you fiance check her medical records. If she did have that vaccine as a child she'll probably need to get the X-ray of her chest.

[Krikit 1,164]

I agree with Cécy. My GP noted in my vaccination records that I had received the BCG vaccine as a child and that was all they required.

[Cécy 44]

Well when I went to do the medical exam I was asked to do a TB skin test by the civil surgeon.

Now keep in mind that some country (mine is one of it) do the BCG vaccine. That vaccine, done as a child, is supposed to protect you from getting TB, however not only do the US not recognize it but it makes any TB skin test positive. So have you fiance check his medical records. If he did have that vaccine as a child He'll probably need to get the X-ray of her chest.

Sorry I didn't read your signature... Don't want to call your fiance a she if he's a he.

Edited June 17, 2008 by Cécy

[DanielParul 50]

I got all the vaccinations including BCG but didn't have proof as it was done at Military Hospitals and parents didn't think it was necessary to keep the records.. So I had to get the test done here.. The bottom line is if you have proof of vaccinations then you will not need them or the test

[starlarose 1]

Ok, so I've been reading around trying to get prepared for the AOS once my fiance arrives. I've run into several comments about the TB skin test. Is this a requirement or does everyone do it to avoid a possible RFE from a disgruntled adjucator?? I tried searching around for a direct answer but haven't come across anything that answers my question specifically.

My fiance just completed his medical for the K1 in May and had all of the necessary vaccinations minus the TB skin test.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

My husband in Ireland had to do the chest x-ray as he had the BCG as every child in Ireland did and still does. An X-ray is more accurate really but more costly. Anyway, this is sufficient for immigration instead of the skin test.

On a side note, as Vinny is joining the Volunteer Fire Dept in our area, he had to have another TB test. Of course they did the skin test and of course it came up positive. The nurse tried to force us to go to the Dept. of Health for treatment even though we kept telling her "Of course it came back, he got a BCG. He just had a physical to get into this country and there is NO WAY we are going to the Dept of Heath for no reason." Anyway, it was cleared up the next day with the doctor. They did the X-Ray again (as we don't have the accompanying medical report for his X-Ray from Ireland) and all is well.

[Krikit 1,164]

I got all the vaccinations including BCG but didn't have proof as it was done at Military Hospitals and parents didn't think it was necessary to keep the records.. So I had to get the test done here.. The bottom line is if you have proof of vaccinations then you will not need them or the test

Kinda so-so correct. Depends on the country doing the medical. I never had proof, either, because my vaccinations were done in England and when I moved to Canada I had no record of them. My GP just wrote down all the vaccinations he said I would have had based on his British medical knowledge, and the panel physician accepted them. No TB skin test required.

[Heliosphan 1]

I did it, I think it's pretty standard.

[Liam and Sam 2]

Thank you for all of the responses - the Sydney consulate required him to get all of the necessary basic vaccinations and then the chest x-ray for the K1 visa so I'm hoping that's enough.

[alexpapa 4]

Well when I went to do the medical exam I was asked to do a TB skin test by the civil surgeon.

Now keep in mind that some country (mine is one of it) do the BCG vaccine. That vaccine, done as a child, is supposed to protect you from getting TB, however not only do the US not recognize it but it makes any TB skin test positive. So have you fiance check her medical records. If she did have that vaccine as a child she'll probably need to get the X-ray of her chest.

I have had BCG and my skin test was negative - it's a possibility that it will make the test positive, but not always - especially if the BCG was administered as a child.

And the doctor did a skin test even though I had the BCG vaccine.

[ELW 5]

About a year ago, the TB skin test was required by SOME local USCIS offices conducting AOS interviews (that was when it was a big thing in the news about that guy with TB traveling to USA). I don't remember reading about an RFE for the skin test; just some local offices at the interview requested the test before giving AOS approval. For quite some time, there have been NO reports requiring the TB skin test. Since the skin test hoopla has died down and the chest X-Ray proves there is no TB, I would say you are good to go!

[Liam and Sam 2]

About a year ago, the TB skin test was required by SOME local USCIS offices conducting AOS interviews (that was when it was a big thing in the news about that guy with TB traveling to USA). I don't remember reading about an RFE for the skin test; just some local offices at the interview requested the test before giving AOS approval. For quite some time, there have been NO reports requiring the TB skin test. Since the skin test hoopla has died down and the chest X-Ray proves there is no TB, I would say you are good to go!

Thank you very much!!

[Dakine 26]

Looks like the new I-693 that took affect May 1, 2008 requires civil surgeons to do TB skin test, syphilis and HIV.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-693instr.pdf

[rin and john 71]

I was wondering about the TB test, as well. If I read the CDC website correctly, it states that all applicants over the age of 2 years old require a TB test. The new instructions were issued May 1, 2008.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/civil_tb_ti_2008.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/civil_surgeons_faq.pdf

I am positive Rin's children did not have this as part of their exam in Thailand. Since they had the medical less than 12 months ago, the CS just filled in part 2 (vaccination information only) and part 5 of the I-693. Rin had the skin test, but only because her medical was over a year old (she also had an x-ray in Bangkok).

It appears the rules may have changed recently, so it will be interesting to see how it is handled by USCIS.

John

[rin and john 71]

If I read this announcement correctly;

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/medical_exams_042908.pdf

The new requirements only apply to medical exams conducted after May 1, 2008 (so would exempt those filing now but using medical exams conducted prior to May 1st).

John