Medical - What is the reason for visual check of genitalia?

[traveler100 20]

This is one of the requirements during the medical exam for immigration. The doctor or his/her staff must take a look at you down there. I'm curious. What is the point of this exercise? Are they looking to ascertain whether a person is indeed a male or female? Wouldn't it be much less awkward to take a quick look at the adam's apple to establish that identity?

[slycordinator 6]

I am quite sure it's for assessment of diseases. They're worried about the immigrant bringing something contagious...

[traveler100 20]

I would think diseases are much better diagnosed through blood tests then a visual inspection... no?

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

One would think so. I sometimes think part of those checks are from ages ago and the policies just never changed..... Adams apple can be deceiving/ not very clear.

They didn't check me, but that may be because I had a c-section scar still healing (3 months post partum), and the doctor did look at that.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from IR1/CR1 Process to General Immigration-Related Discussion Forum~

~Inquiry is applicable to numerous immigration processes.~

[NikLR 13,220]

It used to be to be sure you were male or female like you declared. As time goes on, the check is less likely in western society at least. I hope eventually it's done away with completely.

There are times when doctors need to know your birth gender but imho, immigration is not one of those times.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I could see it as relevant when gay marriage wasn't legal. Now? Not so much. However a simple cheek swab could give the same results

Edited March 26, 2016 by Transborderwife

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

they are looking for sign of female genital mutilation among other things

[mallafri76 1,012]

Checking the genitalia is not a requirement for the immigration medical. It's done in some countries but not all, it's not done in Scandinavia for example.

I would think it's to confirm the sex of the beneficiary, to prevent same-sex couples from pretending to be of the opposite sex to get the green card. The law changed last year to finally allow same-sex immigration, I guess the procedure of checking the genitalia hasn't updated yet to reflect that new law.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Checking the genitalia is not a requirement for the immigration medical.

The CDC seems to state otherwise >

a physical examination that includes, at a minimum, examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, skin and external genitalia

http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/technical-instructions/panel-physicians/medical-history-physical-exam.html

[yuna628 9,530]

As was implied in my husband's 'check' at Knightsbridge, the doctor seemed to be looking for physical abnormalities or testicular cancer (though I don't know what physical abnormality would make a person ineligible to receive a visa).

[traveler100 20]

Checking the genitalia is not a requirement for the immigration medical. It's done in some countries but not all, it's not done in Scandinavia for example.

I would think it's to confirm the sex of the beneficiary, to prevent same-sex couples from pretending to be of the opposite sex to get the green card. The law changed last year to finally allow same-sex immigration, I guess the procedure of checking the genitalia hasn't updated yet to reflect that new law.

I wouldn't advertise that if I were you. I heard of cases where immigration certified physicians were arrested for neglecting to check out the required genitalia visually during medical exams.

As was implied in my husband's 'check' at Knightsbridge, the doctor seemed to be looking for physical abnormalities or testicular cancer (though I don't know what physical abnormality would make a person ineligible to receive a visa).

exactly. i'm curious, has anyone been denied a family based visa because they failed the medical exam?

they are looking for sign of female genital mutilation among other things

this makes sense, however would they deny a victim visa? Not to sound insensitive but I mean whats done is done, right?

[Miss M 54]

Interesting. My physical was in Cape Town, South Africa and there was no physical check of my genitalia... Didn't even know it was a requirement.

[Ryan H 3,791]

~~~Post contributing nothing to the discussion removed along with post quoting.~~~

[Cathi 5,610]

I'm sure there are reasons for it. Exactly what those reasons are, as you can see from the answers above, people can only venture to guess. Maybe doing a Google search would be your best bet for finding the answer, if in fact there is an answer that is public knowledge.