Persons who want to go to the United States for medical treatment or medical tourism must satisfy the same requirements as applicants for tourist visas, like social and economic ties to their home country. They must satisfy several additional requirements as well.
Persons with contagious diseases may not be able to a get a visa.
If you wish to assist a relative in the United States with a procedure such as a kidney donation, you must submit medical documentation from both your home country and the USA that you are a suitable donor and that all necessary matching and screening has been done in advance.
Visa applicants seeking medical treatment in the United States should present evidence from the suggested list below to help establish their eligibility for a visa. Such evidence by itself will not guarantee the issuance of a visa if the applicant is found to be otherwise ineligible.
Documents
- It must be established that the treatment sought is unavailable in the home country, and is for a condition for which medical facilities in the United States hold out some hope of a cure.
You must also go to a US Embassy Panel Physician to determine whether the treatment is available in the home country or necessary to be done in the United States. - A letter from your physician in your home country stating the diagnosis of your condition and what treatments will be necessary.
- A statement from the US doctor or institution accepting the patient for the proposed medical treatment, an estimate of the total time and total cost of your treatment, including outpatient care if the applicant will not be able to return immediately to the home country. A letter from this facility may be sent to your doctor or to you.
- Evidence that you have been accepted for treatment at a licensed medical facility in the USA and that you have an appointment.
- Documentation of how all the anticipated costs will be met. You must establish that sufficient funds are available to pay for medical and living expenses during any period of treatment and convalescence in the United States.
Such evidence may include- An original bank statement detailing all deposits, withdrawals, and transfers of funds for the past year.
- Do NOT look for any visitor medical insurance for paying for this purpose. None of the visitor insurance plans will cover for this (neither the ones bought in the home country nor the ones bought in the USA). Insurance is for future unforeseen protection and it is not free money to pay all your medical bills.
- If the funds will be provided by a close relative in the USA, a Form I-134 Affidavit of Support must be provided with evidence of the income and assets claimed. Such evidence includes income tax records and bank statements showing transactions for the past year. Affidavits from persons other than close relatives cannot be accepted.
- An original bank statement detailing all deposits, withdrawals, and transfers of funds for the past year.
