TB Testing and Treatment in the I-693 Exam: What St. Louis Applicants Must Know

Every I-693 applicant age 2 and older is screened for tuberculosis with an IGRA blood test. A positive result calls for a chest X-ray to rule out active disease. Latent TB infection does not make you inadmissible.

Tuberculosis screening is the single most common reason I-693 exams get delayed. Almost every delay can be prevented with the right records.

Who needs a TB test for the immigration medical exam?

Every green card applicant age 2 and older must be screened for tuberculosis. The standard is the IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) blood test. It is more specific than the old skin test. Under CDC technical instructions, a past BCG vaccination does not confound it (throw off the result).

What happens if my TB test for my green card is positive?

A positive IGRA does not mean you have active tuberculosis. It does not mean your application is in trouble. It means more evaluation is required, typically a chest X-ray, to rule out active disease. Most positive results reflect latent TB infection (TB germs that are inactive in the body) or old, treated exposure. Latent TB does not make you inadmissible. The process simply documents that active disease is absent.

Which TB records save weeks on the I-693?

Have you ever had a positive TB test, a chest X-ray for TB, or treatment for latent or active TB? Bring that documentation. Records of finished treatment, past imaging reports, and dates matter enormously. Without them, testing and evaluation may need to start from zero. That adds weeks. With them, a past positive result can often be resolved in a single visit.

We prepay and set up chest X-rays when needed. That way, applicants who need imaging aren’t left to sort out radiology scheduling on their own.

Related reading: TB Testing for the Green Card Exam · I-693 Exam: What St. Louis Applicants Must Know · Gonorrhea & Syphilis Testing in the I-693 Process · I-693 Immigration Medical Exam Cost — $390 Flat, St. Louis

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a positive TB blood test stop my green card?

No. A positive IGRA triggers more evaluation, usually a chest X-ray, to rule out active disease. Latent TB infection is common. It 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. That is one reason it is the preferred screening method.

What TB records should I bring to my exam?

Any past TB test results and chest X-ray reports. Also bring documentation of latent or active TB treatment, including medication names and the dates you finished.

Do immigrants get tested for TB?

Yes. Every green card applicant age 2 and older is screened for tuberculosis as part of the I-693 exam. The standard is the IGRA blood test. Under CDC technical instructions, it is not confounded by past BCG vaccination. A positive result leads to a chest X-ray to rule out active disease. On its own, it does not stop your application.

How much does the medical exam for the I-485 cost?

The medical exam filed with your I-485 is Form I-693. At our St. Louis office the I-693 exam is $390, and a follow-up visit is $190. Bring every past TB test result, X-ray report and treatment record. With them, a previous positive result can often be resolved in a single visit. You avoid restarting the evaluation from zero.

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.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP — USCIS-designated civil surgeon (CSID 111051), board certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, Interventional Pain Management, Addiction Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. Last reviewed September 2026.