Medical Treatment
Q: I am going for medical treatment. Do I need a special visa?
A: Individuals who seek medical treatment in the United States are required to apply for and travel to the United States on a B-2 nonimmigrant visa. A B-2 visa is commonly called a visitor visa.
In addition to following the normal procedures for all nonimmigrant applicants, applicants traveling for medical treatment must provide the following information/documents at the time of the interview.
Please Note: Presentation of the following documents does not guarantee a visa will be issued.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR MEDICAL TRAVEL
1) Provide a letter from the treating doctor in the United States stating the following:
- That the patient’s medical files have been reviewed
- Time/Date for medical appointment and/or needed procedures
- The estimated period of time that the patient will be in the United States
- The estimated total cost of treatment in the United States
2) Provide proof of ability to pay for the cost of the treatment and travel to the United States.
3) A letter from the hospital’s financial department stating the patient has paid in advance or they are completely satisfied that they will receive total reimbursement for all medical care provided.
In addition, if the Consular Officer believes the applicant to be qualified for a visa under Section 214(b), he/she may require that the applicant make a pre-payment to the selected hospital. Under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Consular Officers cannot issue visas to individuals who may become a public charge (i.e. require public financial assistance) while in the United States.
THE CONSULAR OFFICER WILL ONLY CONSIDER DOCUMENTS BROUGHT TO THE INTERVIEW. DOCUMENTS FAXED OR MAILED TO THE EMBASSY IN ADVANCE OF THE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Important Note: Applicants for travel to the United States for medical treatment are subject to Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section of the law states that applicants must establish that they intend to return to their home country after a temporary stay in the United States. This can be done by showing substantial ties (social, professional, financial, etc) to a country other than the United States. Under United States law, the responsibility for demonstrating sufficient ties to a foreign country rests with the applicant.