US Work Visa Medical and Biometrics Cost 2026

In 2026, obtaining a U.S. work visa does not only entail petitions by the employers and legal submissions. The obligatory medical checkup and biometric appointment are the last gatekeepers to the vast majority of applicants.

The financial situation has changed with the recent changes in the USCIS fees that will take effect on January 1, 2026, and the elimination of some of the pandemic-related requirements. This guide is a breakdown of precisely what you will pay in medical and biometric services in this year; it is there to help you see through the so-called paperwork fees and to go through the process with a certain feeling of confidence.

Medical & Biometrics 2026

Ask your medical provider to confirm that he or she is authorized and that you are billed according to the current federal standards:

USCIS Diagnostic Terms: Form I-693 ( Report of Medical Examination), Civil Surgeon (doctor authorized by the United States), Panel Physician (in overseas consular cases), Quantifier-TB Gold (blood test of tuberculosis), RPR (syphilis test), Gonorrhea NAA (urine test).
Biometric Keywords: ASC Appointment (Application Support Center), Digital Fingerprinting, Photo Identification, Case Status Online, Built-In Fee Structure, Form I-751 Surcharge.
Vaccination Terms: Vaccination Record Review, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Maricela (Chickenpox), Adapt (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), Hepatitis B (vigilant to age 59), Flu Vaccine (annual requirement).

The 2026 Biometric Fee Shift

Since January 1, 2026, with the requirements of H.R. 1, USCIS has introduced inflation-adjusted fees but the manner in which biometric fees are treated has been more of a “integration process” to make the filing process easier.

Combined vs. Dis aggregated Fees.

Integrated (including independent fee): Biometric cost is now included in the main application fee on the majority of work based adjustments (Form I-485). An additional $85 line item will not appear on your receipt.
Separate $85 Fee: Still necessary when applying to certain forms, including Form I-751 ( Removal of Conditions ) and certain TPS ( Temporary Protected Status ) applications.
Biometric Reuse: USCIS still maximizes the Biometric Reuse in 2026. Another benefit is that in case your fingerprints are already on record due to some other petition (within the past 5 years) a notice may be issued that allows your past information to be used, thus you may not have to visit the Application Support Center (ASC).

Professional Advice on How to trim down your 2026 expenses

Don’t be foolish enough to be caught by a Civil Surgeon bill. With the following strategies, you can keep your spending near the bottom of the $450 -950 range:

The Pharmacy Loophole: Civil surgeons usually fee a premium on the vaccines. Purchase over-the-counter drugs at a nearby pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens) or visit a health clinic. Majority of the insurance plans provide 100% preventative vaccination. Carry your printed records to the doctor so as to avoid their inflating.
Get Records in Advance: Phone your school or childhood doctor. Even an ancient yellow card or an online transcript can keep you hundreds of dollars in re-vaccination that you do not need.
Shop Suburban: 2026 Clinics in high-rent neighborhoods (Manhattan, Downtown LA) cost as much as 700 USD to complete the basic examination. The 30 minutes of your life spent driving to a suburban Civil Surgeon will often have been worth cutting half your bill.

FAQ

Does the 2026 medical exam still need the COVID-19 vaccine?

No. By early 2025 and during the 2026 filing season, the COVID-19 vaccination has officially been taken off the USCIS list of immigration medical examinations. You do not even have to give evidence of this particular vaccine in order to pass your physical.

Is the signature of the doctor subject to the 60-Day Rule?

No. USCIS has eliminated the 60-day rule in one of its major policy changes. Form I-693 is now submitted as many as two years after it is signed by the Civil Surgeon. This will provide you with a lot greater room to work on your medical exam long before your filing date.

Why has not I received a biometric appointment notice?

USCIS is making significant use of Biometric Reuse in 2026. In case you have submitted fingerprints and photo to USCIS in the past five years, they can use that information. See the Case Status Online; when they are reusing your biometric then you will get a notice that you do not need an appointment.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. work visa budget tends to squander medical and biometric expenditures. One applicant must also save at least $1,000 in 2026 to cover the total medical, labs, and possible vaccine requirements to make sure that they do not delay filing their applications.

Disclaimer

The article is informative and educative. It is recommended that the reader should only trust the information provided by a reliable source, i.e., the official government websites (USCIS.gov) or the medical provider of their choice, and then make a financial or medical decision.