Tag: IGRA

Tuberculosis screening is the single most common reason I-693 exams get delayed — and almost every delay is preventable with the right records.

Who Gets Tested and How

Every green card applicant age 2 and older must be screened for tuberculosis. The standard is the IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) blood test — more specific than the old skin test and unaffected by prior BCG vaccination status in its interpretation guidelines under CDC technical instructions.

What a Positive Result Actually Means

A positive IGRA does not mean you have active tuberculosis, and it does not mean your application is in trouble. It means additional evaluation is required — typically a chest X-ray — to rule out active disease. Most positive results reflect latent TB infection or old, treated exposure. Latent TB does not make you inadmissible; the process simply documents that active disease is absent.

The Records That Save You Weeks

If you have ever had a positive TB test, a chest X-ray for TB, or treatment for latent or active TB, bring that documentation. Records of completed treatment, prior imaging reports, and dates matter enormously. Without them, testing and evaluation may need to start from zero — adding weeks. With them, a prior positive result can often be resolved in a single visit.

We prepay and coordinate chest X-rays when needed, so applicants who require imaging aren’t left navigating radiology scheduling on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a positive TB blood test stop my green card?

No. A positive IGRA triggers additional evaluation, usually a chest X-ray, to rule out active disease. Latent TB infection is common and is not grounds for inadmissibility.

I had the BCG vaccine as a child. Will that cause a positive test?

The IGRA blood test used in I-693 exams is not confounded by BCG vaccination the way the old skin test was, which is one reason it is the preferred screening method.

What TB records should I bring to my exam?

Any prior TB test results, chest X-ray reports, and documentation of latent or active TB treatment, including medication names and completion dates.

Watch the full video above, and explore the rest of the series on our YouTube channel.

This article is educational information about the immigration medical examination process. It is not legal advice and does not create a physician–patient relationship. For legal questions about your case, consult a licensed immigration attorney.