About the US Health (Medical Treatment) Visa

A US medical visa is a temporary visa issued to individuals who wish to travel to the United States primarily to receive medical treatment at a US healthcare facility.

The US health visa, also known as a treatment visa and medical visa, is defined as a visitor visa for treatment purposes issued under the US B2 visa . People who want to obtain a US health visa are expected to prove that it is not possible to receive the relevant treatment in their own country and that they can cover the cost of treatment in the US.

Who is Eligible for a B2 Visit Visa for Medical Purposes in the USA?

The following persons are eligible to obtain a B2 visitor visa for treatment purposes in the USA.

Those who want to receive treatment in America
People who will be clinical trial participants in the United States
Companions of people who will receive treatment in America

Health Status Eligibility for US Medical Visa

For a US medical visa, individuals who suffer from certain conditions, such as infectious diseases, may be deemed to be ineligible for a visa under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. These individuals may apply for a visa, but their application may be denied. Infectious diseases that prevent entry to the US include cholera, diphtheria, smallpox, and yellow fever, as well as sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea, and tuberculosis and leprosy.

Visa Application Process for Treatment in America

The following steps must be followed when applying for a visa to receive treatment in the United States.

Get a medical report from a healthcare provider/professional in the US.
Complete the online US visa application form (DS-160).
B2 visa application fee is paid.
Make an appointment for a visa interview at a US foreign mission (Ankara or Istanbul).
Prepare the necessary documents for the health visa.
Complete the document submission, biometric procedures and visa interview on the appointment date.

At the end of the US visa interview, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application has been approved or not. If your application has been approved, you can pick up your passport in person from the PTT center where the foreign representative office operates or you can have it delivered by courier service.

Documents Required for US Medical Treatment Visa

To obtain a US medical treatment visa, you must submit the following documents in addition to the standard application documents.

Medical evaluation report from doctor in the USA
Diagnostic report prepared by your doctor in Turkey
Proof of advance payment for treatment (original doctor/hospital invoice)
Financial documentation to support medical expenses
If the treatment expenses will be covered by the state, a document from the Ministry of Health (For public officials)

For visa applications, all documents must be submitted in their original form and in English with their translations. A complete and detailed list of documents for US treatment visa applications can be accessed by making the relevant selections on the US visa application documents page.

What is the US Medical Assessment Report?

A US medical evaluation report is an expert opinion document in which a doctor in the United States explains the patient’s medical condition and need for treatment.

The report should also include details about the treatment process to be applied in the United States, as well as the appointment date given to the patient, doctor and hospital information, and the approximate cost of the treatment.

Is Health Insurance Required for a US Treatment Visa?

Although it is not included among the documents required for a US treatment visa, it is recommended to have health insurance. Foreign nationals traveling to the US for medical treatment are responsible for all costs related to treatment as well as travel expenses.

Considering the high cost of hospital expenses for visitor status in the USA, a travel health insurance declaration for an American visa is an important requirement both to ease the financial burden of treatment and to increase the likelihood of visa approval.

US Medical Visa Application Fee

The US medical visa application fee is $185 in 2024 and is paid during the online appointment process. Visa costs may increase if a courier service is used for passport delivery, travel health insurance is taken out, and consultancy services are received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions frequently asked to our consultants regarding the US health visa are answered below.

How Long Does a US Health Visa Last?

A US health visa is issued for a maximum stay of 6 months at one entry. The length of stay is determined by the passport officer upon entry to the country and the person is given an I-94 card indicating the permitted length of stay.

How can I extend my US treatment visa?

You can extend your permitted stay for a US treatment visa by applying to USCIS by filing Form I-539.

When deciding whether to extend your visa, USCIS will consider your current situation, the reasons for the extension, and your ties to your home country. If your visa extension request is denied or your pre-approval period has passed, you must leave the country immediately.

Is There an Emergency Visa Option for Those Who Will Receive Treatment in the USA?

The emergency visa option for people who will receive treatment in the United States is only offered to people who can prove with medical reports that the need for treatment is urgent, and these people are given the opportunity to make an early appointment.

For urgent visa applications to the USA, it is necessary to fill out the online visa application form, pay the visa fee, make an appointment for an urgent visa to the USA at the earliest date , and request to speed up the process by presenting the reasons for the urgent application.

What to Consider When Applying for a US Medical Visa?

When applying for a US medical visa, you must prove to US immigration authorities that you plan to make a short, temporary visit to the US for necessary medical attention that is not available in your home country by providing evidence that you are traveling to the US solely to seek medical treatment.

Providing evidence that you have the financial means to cover your travel, personal expenses and medical treatment costs during your stay in the US is also a point to consider for treatment visa applications. Medical treatments in the US can be very expensive and it is therefore important to provide all financial documents that show that you can provide them. If you do not have enough financial means to cover the necessary expenses, it is also possible to show that you have a sponsor.

Can I Get a B2 Visa to Give Birth in the USA?

Yes, you can get a B2 visa for birth in the United States, but you must show that the primary purpose of your travel is not to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.

Pregnant women must show proof that their primary purpose for travel is not to give birth in the United States. A permissible reason for traveling while pregnant, other than childbirth, must be provided. For example, a person facing a difficult pregnancy may be able to prove with documentation from a doctor that specialized medical care appropriate for her condition is not available in her home country but can be obtained in the United States.

With this change, made in January 2020, the U.S. State Department aims to discourage birth tourism, or the practice of granting American birth visas to women to come to the U.S. to give birth to a child who will then automatically become a U.S. citizen .